Reuters — The fast-spreading avian flu virus was confirmed for the first time in Nebraska, at a commercial egg-laying farm that housed a flock of 1.7 million chickens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday. The case in Dixon County, Nebraska, brings the number of states affected by the outbreak to 16, and the […] Read more
Bird flu outbreak hits Nebraska
Canada says will defend dairy protection at TPP talks
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada will continue to defend its system of tariffs and quotas that protect dairy farmers, a senior official said on Monday, in comments that could worry nations negotiating a Pacific trade treaty. Canada is under pressure at talks to create a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) because concessions sought by the other 11 […] Read more
H5N8 avian flu found in Indiana
Reuters — A strain of avian flu that until now had been found only in the western U.S. has cropped up in Indiana, bringing the total number of states affected by the virulent outbreak to 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday. The eastward spread of any strain of the highly contagious H5 virus […] Read more
Election timing puts Tories in bind on Pacific trade talks
Ottawa | Reuters –– Canada is facing a tough squeeze at talks on a major Pacific trade treaty because the concessions other nations want it to make could cause serious problems for the governing Conservatives in this October’s general election. Canada, one of 12 nations aiming to create the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), is under pressure […] Read more
Trans-Pacific ministers’ meeting set for May 26-28
Mexico City | Reuters –– A ministerial meeting aimed at working toward a deal for the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact has been set for May 26-28, the head of Chile’s trade body said on Thursday. “The meeting is agreed, from the 26th to the 28th of May,” said Andres Rebolledo, head of the […] Read more
McDonald’s reset to change structure, cut costs, boost franchises
Reuters — McDonald’s Corp.’s new CEO said on Monday he would reorganize business units, sell restaurants to franchisees and cut costs in a bid to turn the fast-food chain into a “modern, progressive burger company.” The anticipated video announcement by CEO Steve Easterbrook left investors hungry for specific details on how the world’s biggest restaurant […] Read more
Iowa declares state of emergency over avian flu
Reuters — Iowa Governor Terry Branstad declared a state of emergency on Friday due to a rapidly expanding avian flu outbreak. State agriculture officials on Friday announced four more poultry farms — a million-bird commercial egg laying operation and three turkey farms — have initially tested positive for an H5 strain of the virus. “While […] Read more
Livestock research now online at AARD
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s livestock research branch has launched its own website. “Ever wondered if you can feed faba beans to pigs?” asks website co-developer Miranda Smit. “Or camelina meal to poultry? Interested in using synchronization protocols to improve your dairy herd’s reproductive performance?” Those questions are answered on the website. Each research group […] Read more
Telling farming’s story — the good, the bad and the ugly
Airdrie vet Cody Creelman says being open and honest takes away power from foes of livestock production
Reading Time: 3 minutes Eight seconds is a good bull ride. And in the new age of Tweets, Vines and Snapchats, it’s also about all the time needed to create a viral video or have someone form an impression — good or bad — about animal agriculture. So how can producers benefit from social media? Airdrie vet Cody Creelman […] Read more
Trio wins awards of distinction
Reading Time: < 1 minute Egg Farmers of Alberta chair Susan Schafers is the 2015 recipient of the Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) award of distinction for communication. The awards were established in 2001 to recognize individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions in the field of livestock welfare. Dr. Ben Schlegel won the award for innovation and RCMP […] Read more