Scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS), have announced that a vaccine candidate for African Swine Fever (ASF) has passed an important safety test required for regulatory approval, moving the vaccine one step closer to commercial availability. African swine fever is a highly contagious, viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, whose… Read More
Update, as of late March 27: On March 27, 2022, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), subtype H5N1, in a poultry flock in southern Ontario. The CFIA has not said which type of poultry farm. To control any potential spread of the disease, the CFIA has… Read More
There’s a rising number of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) cases in Manitoba’s hog population. The numbers are so high in fact, that Cam Dahl, general manager of the Manitoba Pork Council, has deemed the issue to be a “general outbreak.” “Normally, this is a disease that we see spread in late spring or summer, a… Read More
Producers, consumers, and members of industry have until January 27, 2022, to submit their comments on a draft version of the Dairy Code of Practice. The comment period has been open since late November. The Code of Practice is extensive, covering all aspects of dairy cattle care, from housing and bedding, to pain management for routine… Read More
The drought across much of the Prairies has forced plenty of cows to “come to town” long before the rancher had intended due to a lack of feed. Early weaning creates a challenge for the rancher, as they try and get these calves to a heavier weight before selling. When it comes to feeding light… Read More
A Quebec-based company that sells a digital platform for controlling environmental conditions in barns and automating tasks is set to be acquired by Ingersoll Rand. The owners of Maximus have entered an agreement to be bought by the global industrial company in an all-cash deal worth $135.4 million. Headquartered in Montreal, with around 100 employees,… Read More
It’s unsurprising that animal rights extremist groups are challenging Ontario’s Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, passed in 2020. The challenge, levelled by Animal Justice, alleges that the regulation violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ guarantee of freedom of expression. The province says its bill was crafted “in a manner to protect the… Read More
Thingsfactory, an internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence product development company out of Montreal, Que., is launching the TF-400F, a rugged, weatherproof, portable body temperature sensor suitable for livestock. The TF-400F can detect, analyze, and classify body temperatures of pig, cow, and horse populations in crowded, queued, or individual situations, in real-time. The new… Read More
Scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Western University have teamed up with PlantForm Corporation to develop an edible antibody therapeutic that will protect human and animal health by preventing E.coli 0157 infection in pigs. The $150,000, two-year project is supported by OMAFRA through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative, which is fed by the five-year,… Read More
If you were going to build a new dairy barn, would you choose a parlour or robots? What about Jerseys vs. Holsteins? Ethan Wallace, of Seaforth, Ont., switched to robots for milking his Jersey herd seven years ago, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. On this edition of RealAg LIVE!, Wallace joins occasional… Read More
Farm Health Guardian has announced a strategic partnership with Synthesis Agri-Food Network. The announcement comes on the heels of the company launching its disease mitigation platform for pork and poultry production. For the past decade, Synthesis Agri-Food Network president Rob Hannam has specialized in the agriculture and food sector, and brings that experience and that… Read More
A Guelph-based company has launched Farm Health Guardian, a real-time disease mitigation technology platform for pork and poultry producers. Brought to market by Be Seen Be Safe Ltd., the system accurately and quickly tracks and shuts down disease spread within minutes of the first report of disease symptoms, the company says. The Farm Health Guardian… Read More
SaskTel and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have announced a partnership to launch a “living laboratory” at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE), south of Clavet, Sask., to test, develop, and demonstrate agricultural technologies. Through a memorandum of understanding, the two organizations will focus on smart farming research and innovation to “accelerate transformation… Read More
Are we anywhere near managing for African swine fever? On this edition of RealAg LIVE!, host Shaun Haney is joined by Dr. Egan Brockhoff of Prairie Swine Health Services, to talk about this devastating disease and what Canada and its trading partners are doing to keep the virus out of North America. Don’t miss the… Read More
Later this week, it will be an offence under Ontario law to “stop, obstruct, hinder or otherwise interfere with a motor vehicle transporting farm animals.” Ontario’s government has proclaimed Section 6(1) and three other related sections of Bill 156, the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020. These proclamations will ensure the safety… Read More
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