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| Issue No. 113 |
May 10, 2016
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Obamacare is no longer a new term. Yet, still, people are talking - YOU are talking. Maybe you still have questions - TACT understands. It isn't easy for consumers to know exactly what they are buying when it comes to healthcare coverage. Openness has been the goal of the measure. Education and information is the goal of TACT.
At Texas Ag Coop Trust, we are always looking for ways to reduce cost and improve benefits for our members. In an uncertain financial environment, combined with the ever increasing cost of health care and health insurance, it is more crucial than ever that we are committed to providing our members with the benefits and coverages needed and generate additional revenues to offset cost increases.
TACT aids in providing group benefits to members in the agricultural industry. TACT provides quality life and health benefit plans and works to hold down future rate increases for participants.
We look forward to continuing our provision of great service, outstanding benefits and SAVINGS to you!
You are a partner in decision making and you are partnered with a thriving coverage provider. Keeping YOU the priority. Keeping YOUR NEEDS in perspective. With TACT, YOU are our business.
Now serving ALL of Texas Agriculture -
Contact us for more information
TACT - Dedicated Insurance Professionals
you know and trust...like Family.
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HHS helping lift key hurdle in the efforts to develop
better Zika diagnostics
To speed the development of diagnostic tests for Zika virus infection, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response ( ASPR) will support the collection of blood samples from people in the continental United States and Puerto Rico who have been infected with Zika virus. There is an urgent need to expand diagnostic capacity for serological tests that identify Zika virus-specific Immunoglobulin M, or IgM, antibody to definitively determine whether people who have been potentially exposed to Zika virus were actually infected. Diagnostic developers have identified a lack of access to blood samples positive for Zika virus antibodies, which are needed to validate whether serological tests are performing as expected, as a significant barrier to advancing the development of their products. Under a six month, $692,000 project funded by ASPR's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority ( BARDA), Clinical Research Management Inc. of Hinckley, Ohio, will collect blood samples from people who have had confirmed Zika virus infection, in coordination with state and local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These samples will be collected and made available to diagnostic companies for use in validating the performance of their tests. "Accurate diagnostic tools are vital for health care providers and their patients to determine whether people have been infected with Zika, especially pregnant women and their partners," said Dr. Richard Hatchett, acting director of BARDA. "Today's agreement will help ensure manufacturers will have access to resources they need to improve and ensure the accuracy of their diagnostic tools and help us better protect our nation against Zika." Background The Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bites of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. In past outbreaks, many people infected with Zika have not exhibited symptoms. However, the virus can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. Zika also has been found to be transmitted sexually. In most people with acute infection, Zika virus can be detected in the blood for only about seven days. However, the body's immediate immune response to the virus results in the production of the antibody IgM, which can be detected in the blood for up to 12 weeks. Knowing whether someone recently has been infected with Zika could lead to better monitoring for pregnant women and inform sexual partners of pregnant women that they should take precautions to avoid transmission. There are no commercially available diagnostic tests cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) to detect patients who have been infected with Zika virus. However, with respect to Zika diagnostic tests, the FDA is authorized to issue an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) when, among other circumstances, there are no adequate, approved and available alternatives and certain additional criteria are met. To date, the FDA has authorized the use the use of two diagnostic tests for Zika virus-developed by the CDC-under its EUA authority; one is an RT-PCR test to diagnose acute infection and the other is an antibody test to assess whether individuals potentially exposed to Zika virus were actually infected. Advancing development of Zika antibody tests is part of BARDA's integrated portfolio for advanced research and development of vaccines, drugs, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products for public health emergency threats. These threats include chemical, biological, radiologic, and nuclear agents, pandemic influenza, emerging infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. ASPR leads HHS in preparing the nation to respond to and recover from adverse health effects of emergencies, supporting communities' ability to withstand adversity, strengthening health and response systems, and enhancing national health security. HHS is the principal federal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
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Recent Rains Prove
Mixed Bag for Texas
Portions Courtesy -
Texas Agrilife Extension and Texas Farm Bureau
Most of the Lone Star State has seen a deluge of rain the last few days. And the forecast? More rain.
Those clouds hold the future of this year's crops. The continuous rains-and the flooding that comes with it-spell trouble for some Texas farmers. Two inches to nine inches. Some received more. Some less. It leads to a soggy, boggy mess in the fields. Keeping many farmers out and delaying planting in parts of the state. That leads to another set of problems-planting deadlines and less mature crops facing insect and heat pressure later in the summer. And for those who've already planted their crops? Many had to replant. Now some may contemplate a third attempt to get-and keep-the crop in the ground. But others will take a gamble. Hoping the crops will make it. And yield a bountiful harvest. Add this to the already bleak outlook for commodity prices, and Texas farmers are facing a tough year. One that will test their faith and future.
Heavy rains caused flooding in some areas of the state that damaged corn and other row crop fields and pastures. Around 1,500 of 10,000-acres of corn in Fayette County were drowned out or swept away, said Scott Willey, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent in Fayette.
Much of the damage was limited to bottomland and fields near creeks and rivers, Willey said. Willey said it was doubtful those producers would replant. He said rye and wheat fields there were also affected by heavy rains and high winds. Hail caused the total loss of just under 1,000 acres of corn in Matagorda County, according to AgriLife Extension reports. Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas state climatologist, said the storm system's effect on individuals varied widely. He said the storm system that caused severe flooding in Houston was not exceptional with regard to overall rainfall and that while it caused widespread damage to some areas, it brought needed moisture to others. He compared it to a severe storm that dumped an average of 2.5 inches of rain around the state in October 2015. The Corsicana area was hardest hit when that storm system dumped 20 inches of rain and caused severe flooding. "This April's event was a big multi-day event but it didn't do damage in as many parts of the state," he said. Notable amounts of moisture that fell in different regions of the state and caused flooding included 10-plus inches in southeast Texas between Fayette and San Jacinto counties and more than 8-inches between Wichita Falls and Stephenville, and in Jack and Palo Pinto counties, he said. South of Abilene also experienced widespread flooding when more than 5 inches fell as the storm system passed. He said areas where rainfall is scarce or heavy rains rarely occur can be impacted more than areas like East Texas where heavy rain occurs more often.
A flooded corn field in Fayette County where around 1,500 acres of crops were swept away or drowned out by flooding earlier this month.
The Leon River, southwest of Waco, was still 2.5 feet above flood stage on Friday. At its peak, the west fork of the Trinity River was more than 6 feet above flood stage. "The streams just don't handle as much water in those areas," he said. Ronnie Schnell, AgriLife Extension state cropping systems specialist, College Station, said he believed most of the flooding occurred north and west of croplands. But he said subsequent river and creek swelling may have flooded bottomland and affected row crops after the rains subsided. Overall, the rains helped soil moisture levels around the state, especially in the Panhandle where topsoil needed moisture to allow farmers to begin planting row crops, he said.
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TACT Receives Industry Endorsement
Champion of agriculture and protector of state legislative liberties, Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council has newly endorsed TACT!
TACC is a voluntary statewide industry association created by Texas cooperatives in 1934 to serve as a collective voice, catalyst and clearing house on all activities in the state and national level.
Like TACT, TACC works to reach as many people as possible throughout the state, educating them on agricultural sources serving an underserved industry.
Executive Vice President Tommy Engelke works to keep membership in compliance with all government regulations and employs the assistance of Christy Lewis, Director of Member Services and Whitney Curry, Administration and Communications Assistant, keeping members in compliance with government regulations and protecting the liberties of agriculture and statewide cooperatives.
TACT Executive Director Kimberly Holcomb and TACT Director of Sales and Marketing Cisti Pinkert both sit as TACC Board members - Cisti, Education & Member Services Committee and Kimberly, Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee.
Concerned about your employees, your business and your needs and striving to deliver value that comes from representing YOUR interests, TACT is proud to receive support from an industry champion - dedicated, professional and understanding that, as an industry, banding together yields greater presence and opportunity.
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May - Melanoma
Awareness Month
Surprising Statistic -
More Kids Getting Melanoma
 With summer just around the corner, it is time to begin thinking smart when it comes to the sun!
Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, doesn't usually occur in kids, but a new study shows that it's happening more often.
While melanoma in children is still extremely rare, the rate increased by about 2 percent per year from 1973 to 2009 among U.S children from newborns to age 19. Melanoma accounts for up to 3 percent of all pediatric cancers, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
According to the study, 1,317 children were diagnosed with melanoma during the study time frame. Of these, 1,230 children were white. Because the number of melanoma cases among other racial and ethnic groups was so small, researchers focused the analysis on white children.
The biggest jump in melanoma rates was seen among adolescents aged 15 to 19, especially girls, the study showed. The new findings were published in the May print issue of Pediatrics.
Recent studies have also shown that melanoma is on the rise among adults as well. Exactly what is driving these trends is not fully understood, but increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation from both the sun and tanning booths as well as greater awareness of melanoma may be responsible, according to study authors led by Jeannette Wong of the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
The researchers used a database to capture trends in childhood melanoma, but they did not have any information on participants' tanning habits or sun exposure history.
Boys were more likely to develop melanomas on their face and trunks, while girls were more likely to have melanoma on their lower legs and hips, the investigators found. Other risks for melanoma among children and adults include fair skin, light-colored hair and eyes, moles, family history of melanoma and a history of sunburns.
Dr. Amy Forman Taub, a dermatologist in Lincolnshire, Ill., said that tanning behaviors have a lot to do with the increasing rates of melanoma in children and adults. "It's the tanning booths and the fact that we go away on vacation where we are exposed to a lot of intense sun," she said.
Genes may also play a role, suggested Taub, who was not involved in the new study.
It is rare, but children do get melanoma. When in doubt, get it checked out.
Note of Interest: The new Texas law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning beds...even with their parent's permission. The statewide ban on minors using tanning beds was passed by Texas lawmakers in July 2013 and went into effect on September 1, 2013.
To read featured health news
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Contact Us
Texas Ag Coop Trust
915 Austin Street
Levelland, TX 79336
806-747-7894
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Texas Ag Coop Trust
Officers, Board of Trustees
Kimberly Tullo-Holcomb
TACT Executive Director
Lubbock, TX
Jim Turner, Chairman
Dalhart Consumers Fuel Association
Dalhart, TX
Bret Brown, Secretary/Treasurer
Ag Producers Co-op
Sunray, TX
Craig Rohrbach
Parmer County Cotton Growers
Farwell, TX
Dean Sasser
Farmers Coop Elevator
Levelland, TX
Tony Williams
Texas Cotton Ginners' Association
Austin, TX
Paul Wilson
United Cotton Growers
Levelland, TX
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Texas Ag Coop Trust
is endorsed by:
Texas Grain & Feed
Association
Texas Cotton Ginners Association
 Triangle Cooperative Service Company
Texas Corn Producers
Texas Agricultural
Cooperative Council
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Recognizing National Nurses Week 2016
 In recognizing National Nurses Week, May 6-12, we celebrate TACT's nurse, Kathy Payne! Kathy is YOUR key to maintained wellness through TACT! TACT employs Hines Healthy Tomorrows Team as a benefit to YOU! Kathy Payne is TACT's nurse - she takes care of all of our health and wellness screenings. The theme for this year's National Nurses Week is "Culture of Safety." Nurses lead the way, every day, imparting quality care through ethical practice in their everyday culture of care. It is a nurse who shows an elderly patient how to manage his or her diabetes. It is a nurse that makes sure their patients - children and adults - get the vaccinations they need. They lead the way in quality care, helping young moms learn how to care for their infants. And they lead the way in quality care, conducting research to promote high-quality life for those with chronic illnesses, and to help all of us stay healthy across the lifespan. Calvert Home Health, also employed by TACT, does wellness screenings for TACT participants. Once results come back, they are entered into a database with Hines, who then has Kathy follow up with health management programs. YOU qualify to have Hines assist in working with doctor's, treatments and plans to help in streamlining care. It is as if you have your own personal nurse - Kathy! And, this benefit is a part of your healthcare plan at NO COST to you! Get Personal! Improve your health! Call Kathy! Kathy Payne is YOUR key to maintained wellness through TACT! Improve your health by participating! Call 800-592-8097 and ask to see Kathy! Visit www.hinesassoc.com or visit TACT at www.txagcoop.com.
TACT - Dedicated Insurance Professionals
you know and trust...like Family.
Next Issue: May 24, 2016
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