Glacier FarmMedia – An expert told a conference of agricultural leaders that Canada must deal with a crisis in public confidence in artificial intelligence, likening it to the monster under the bed. Surveys have shown many Canadians don’t understand AI, and how it can provide a leg up for industries such as agriculture, said John […] Read more
Agriculture warned of artificial intelligence challenges
Technology leader says agriculture industry has been slow to adopt AI tools but also faces a crisis in public confidence
Veterinarian shortage complicates FMD plans
Producers worry about how country’s shortage of veterinarians will affect surveillance against foot-and-mouth disease
Glacier FarmMedia – The shortage of veterinarians is a problem Canadian beef industry and government officials must tackle as they develop a contingency plan in case of a foot-and-mouth outbreak, said an expert. “We know that’s the reality, so we have to work with that reality,” said senior director Bob Burden of Serecon, a consulting […] Read more
North American beef leaders urge disease vigilance
President of American industry group sounds alarm over what he says is Brazil’s non-compliance with BSE standards
Glacier FarmMedia – The United States, Canada and Mexico must do more to protect the North American cattle herd from illnesses such as foot-and-mouth disease and BSE that threaten the continent’s multibillion-dollar beef sector, said an American industry leader. Brazil is non-compliant with the BSE standards developed by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) […] Read more
Probiotic developed for dairy cattle
University of Alberta researcher says using probiotics to prevent infection could reduce disease and lower antibiotic use
Glacier FarmMedia – A breakthrough probiotic has been shown to boost milk production and the reproductive health of dairy cows. The use of probiotics to prevent infections could lower the incidence of diseases, potentially reducing the need for treatment with antibiotics, said Burim Ametaj, a professor of physiology and nutritional immunology at the University of […] Read more
Enzyme can switch off livestock drugs
An antimicrobial gene in bacteria creates an enzyme that can deactivate certain medications used to treat livestock
Glacier FarmMedia – Scientists have found that an antimicrobial resistance gene in bacteria collected at a western Canadian feedlot creates an enzyme that can deactivate drugs used to treat diseases in cattle and other livestock. The EstT enzyme can affect macrolides antibiotic drugs such as tylosin, also sold as Tylan, which is a common additive […] Read more
Visit to a dairy barn goes virtual
The University of Calgary uses virtual reality technology to create a simulation of a dairy farm for convenient public access
Glacier Farmmedia – People who’ve never set foot on a dairy farm can now explore a simulation using virtual reality headsets as part of a project launched by the University of Calgary. “It was really neat to see in a whole different way how the dairy farm can be portrayed to the consumers and the […] Read more
Improved flavour called key to pork’s revival
U.S. pork consumption declined to 51.7 pounds per capita in 2020 from 59.1 lb. in 1960; Canada expected to be similar
Glacier FarmMedia – Pig producers need to improve the taste of the pork they raise if they want to combat long-term declines in consumption and market share, said an expert. “If we’re going to drive demand, we’ve got to deliver a better eating experience to our customers,” said Jim Long, president and chief executive officer […] Read more
Trust is a vital part of the digital era
University of Guelph computer scientist urges farmers to take cybersecurity more seriously
Glacier FarmMedia – Cyberattacks and unethical use of data are problems that everyone must take seriously, says a researcher. That includes farmers, governments and agricultural technology providers. “My background is artificial intelligence. I support use of data. I’m not against that,” said Rozita Dara, an associate professor at the School of Computer Science at the […] Read more
Could rotational grazing go virtual?
Wireless fencing technology that keeps dogs near home could also work for cattle
Glacier FarmMedia – A University of Alberta researcher wants to determine if virtual fences can work when moving cattle within a pasture. She says beef producers are only limited by their imaginations when it comes to the potential benefits of technology that uses virtual rather than physical fences. Why it matters: Virtual fencing could help […] Read more
Pregnancy testing technology for sheep producers being examined
The ability to get results without veterinarians or specialized equipment coming to farms near no one
Glacier FarmMedia – Researchers are working to place some of the complex technology found in veterinary laboratories into handheld devices that will allow producers to more easily diagnose pregnancies in sheep. The project aims to create a device about the size of a facial tissue box that will take blood samples and test them to […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
