Des Moines Register link They don't usually archive articles, so this may be off-line by tomorrow.

FBI seeks to counter agri-terrorism threat State farm chemical regulators have been asked to report large product purchases. By JERRY PERKINS Register Farm Editor 09/25/2001

Fertilizer and farm chemical regulators in Iowa have been asked by the FBI to report any large purchases of agricultural products that could be used by terrorists to sabotage food production in the nation's breadbasket.

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Patty Judge on Monday told of the FBI's request - another indication that terrorists could be targeting agricultural areas.

The Federal Aviation Administration has twice grounded crop-dusting planes since the Sept. 11 attacks.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft told Congress on Monday that the FBI has evidence that terrorists who seized the commercial jets also may have considered using crop-dusters to spread chemical or biological weapons over populated areas, according to Bloomberg News.

Judge said agri-terrorism also could be used to disrupt the nation's food and fiber production system. "I hate to be an alarmist because I don't want to start a panic."

"The threat is very real," she said, "based on what we have seen in the past couple of weeks."

There are 94 companies registered as aerial applicators of farm chemicals with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

The FAA said it would lift the second ban on crop-dusters at 12:05 a.m. today.

Terry Sharp of Agri-Tech Aviation in Indianola said Monday that most agricultural aviation businesses in the Midwest are not busy this time of year as the crop harvests start. Sharp has a plane operating in Texas that sprays pesticides to kill boll weevils in cotton.

In the Midwest, most crop-dusting occurs in July and August to apply herbicides, pesticides or fungicides to crops.

Sharp complied with the two bans on crop-dusting flights. "It's easy to give something up when it's in the national interest," he said.

Modern crop-dusting planes can carry up to 800 gallons of liquid chemicals that can be applied over several hundred miles, he said.

David Siegrist of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies told Bloomberg News that it is not easy to spray biological agents with a crop-dusting plane.

The plane's spraying system would have to be altered to dispense material that could cause diseases such as anthrax or smallpox, Siegrist said.

Judge plans to convene a meeting of agricultural commodity groups and government officials to map a strategy in the event of an attack on Iowa's crop or livestock production. A plan will be drawn up to deal with an attack much like a group did earlier this year for a possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

"We in the heartland like to think we are immune from (terrorism)," Judge said, "but we are not."

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Answers

Some experts on Fox and CNN last night talked about hwo difficult it is to disperse certain "popular" agents by air and water. They were relatively unconcerned about anthrax and poisons introduced into water but they were somewhat concerned about smallpox. Smallpox is spread rapidly by touch and a couple of infected people could infect a whole city, they felt. Someone asked about being vaccinated about smallpox years ago and what protection would that give. The answer was don't know, but certainly would be better off than those with no vaccination at all. Apparently, one in three smallpox victims dies. And it will take a couple of years to manufacture enough vaccine to deal with any threat.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Great catch Beckie! To me, this would hit again not only people but, our financial sector.

I have food, water, etc. but, now will increase the food and water supply. My water barrels, in the garage, that I have put off dumping (really using a pan and bailing out the water) and refilling, are now my number one priority. The new trash barrels that I had filled with water and put in the back yard for any water problems during Y2K, I poked holes in the bottom of them to drain, can't use them again for water.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

If my memory is correct, the threat of smallpox was of great concern to Gary North, just before rollover and I believe he said he and his family were going to get the smallpox vaccination.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Mags, you can get a neat little gadget from Lowe's which will help you siphon those barrels with much less of a problem. You put one end in the water then jiggle it up and down a bit until the water starts to come out. Then you let it drain. It might not reach the bottom but would be easier than baling it all. Also, you could get a piece of hose and suck on it until you create a gravity siphon--give yer lungs a workout!

New water containers--check your local soda bottling plant and see if they have any of those 5-gall syrup containers. Very sturdy, need to wash them out well, try to get the lemon-flavored soda in case any of the flavoring remains in the plastic. (Better slightly lemon-flavored water than Coke-flavored!)

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Maggie, my water storage area is in my basement. My largest containers remain unfilled because I couldn't face the possibility I might have to empty them by hand. (Tendinitis)

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

I went out to see if I had a water siphon, like a friend said she thought I had ordered for Y2K, I didn't see one but, need to clear more things away from the barrels...really hoping I have one. If I don't I guess I will try the garden hose route...suck, suck, suck, gasp for air, suck.... I have about 6 to 8 5-gallon water jugs from the grocery store filled by the bottlers that deliver them to the stores. I haven't opened them, so they probably are still good. I also have an empty water jug with spout I need to fill and put a few drops of bleach in. The 2 55-gallon water barrels in the garage need to be emptied and refilled, that should give me plenty of water...without over doing it.

Beckie, maybe put them in your garage, on the side close to the garage door. I put mine in the middle of the garage, yep... dumb dumb.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Sorry Brooks, I had said Beckie who started the thread and meant you.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Maggie, that is ok. Our water storage is in our basement too and it is full. I should check it. We need to repair some well pumps and cistern pumps as well.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

If youtake the whole garden hose, coiled, and dunk it in the water and let fill with water first, then cover one end with your thumb, and leaving one end in the barrel, take the coils out and stretch it out to where you want it to drain to, then remove your thumb from the end and lay it on the ground, gravity should start the siphoning with having to suck the end of the hose.

If it doesn't start automatically, at least you won't have to suck too much to get it going.

The important thing is to have the hose filled with water and no air, similar to when you have a straw in a drink, and put your thumb over the end and pull the straw out, it holds the liquid inside.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

OH! Barefoot, you are such a smart guy! That sounds sooo much easier then sucking the hose. Thanks! So, today I will try that and be such a happy camper getting that done!!!

Beckie, are you going to do the same thing?

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001

not so smart, I have a waterbed and the siphon thingy sucks, as in doesn't work well.

I really need to move that thing, but even empty it is heavy!

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001

In my book you are smart and have come up with a great idea for me to use! Thanks again.

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001

LOL! I had to get one of those hand-trucks or dollies to take my water bed outside after that little accident we had. BTW, my waterbed siphon worked well. Well, that is, except when the heater burned a hole in it and I had to bail with a bucket!

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001

I remember about your water bed and the trouble you had with it. I have bookcases on one wall in my hallway, I couldn't take anything in or out of the bedrooms that was large, without moving the bookcases. By the way, I still love my air mattress.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001