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Research team aims to deliver antibody for pork E. coli through plants
AAFC and Western University scientists work with biotech start-up
Inspired by the success of a Belgian research team seeking a novel “immune therapy” approach to post-weaning diarrhea in pigs, a Canadian team is working to develop an antibody to prevent E. coli 0157:H7 that can be delivered to pigs through their feed. The work began more than five years ago after Agriculture and Agri-Food […] Read more

Invention improves blood collection in pigs
‘Backspacer Device’ allows blood samples to be drawn from pigs safely and without undue stress to animals
Veterinarian Jewel White and her colleagues are the winners of this year’s F. X. Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production for creating something they call the “Backspacer Device.” The invention is simple but significantly improves animal care and worker safety in pork barns during blood sampling. White is the herd veterinarian for Maple Leaf Agri-Farms […] Read more

Growth in livestock industry means growth in feed mills
Ontario feed mills have improved efficiency to better service customers
They are easy to spot rising above the treeline in rural Ontario and a testament to the strength of the Ontario livestock sector. A large investment has been made in the past five years in new feed processing equipment across the province and several companies. Why it matters: Feed efficiency at the farm level and […] Read more

Sheep, goat producers work together to improve genetic potential
Four organizations hope increased co-operation will do for their sector what genetic research did for the beef industry
Sheep and goat producer organizations are starting an initiative to improve genetics in Canadian flocks in conjunction with the University of Guelph. The project aims to strengthen the genetic evaluation program GenOvis, modernize breed registration and provide better information for meat and dairy production in sheep and goats. Why it matters: There is room for […] Read more

Federal government looks at climate impact of organic
AAFC officer says a coordinated approach is needed among governments
Organic agriculture is not mentioned specifically in the Canadian government’s Climate Action Plan but an officer with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) says she and her colleagues are working to understand how some countries have pinpointed organics as part of their response to climate change. “We have to change the way we’re measuring success,” said […] Read more

Lemken puts new tools into the ground for 2022
The implements reflect European criteria for manure injection designed to protect the environment
Lemken has two new soil management tools expected to be available this year: a new liquid manure injection tool and a furrow press mounted to the tractor’s front. Lemken’s Heliodor compact disc harrow will be compatible with a precision liquid manure spreader built by Vogelsang DosiMat DMX. A Lemken press release says the resulting combination […] Read more
AGRIS Co-operative reports record financial year
AGRIS Co-operative board announced at its annual meeting Jan. 12 that patronage of $1.2 million will be returned to its farmer-owners. Total enterprise revenues in 2021 for AGRIS Co-operative were more than $310 million, with $3 million added to retained earnings to sup- port its operations. Patronage will be issued as 40 per cent cash […] Read more

Reducing feed costs is a mix of common sense and science
There are strategies producers can use to reduce feed costs without losing productivity
As feed prices climb, livestock producers need to maximize every ounce of their rations for higher efficiency and nutritional results. While each livestock sector may have its specific needs, a hot topic at the Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week (GBFW) last month was the overarching feed-saving tips to help reduce costs while optimizing gain. Why it […] Read more

Farming for the climate
U.S. growers embrace cover crops while eyeing low-carbon future
Illinois farmer Jack McCormick planted 350 acres of barley and radishes last fall as part of an off-season crop that he does not intend to harvest. Instead, the crops will be killed with a herbicide before McCormick plants soybeans in the same soil. The barley and radishes will not be used for food, but Bayer […] Read more

Farm cybersecurity study underway
Canadian farmers are being asked for their input on a federally-backed project to assess and improve cybersecurity in Canada’s ag sector. The Community Safety Knowledge Alliance, the lead organization on the Cyber Security Capacity in Canadian Agriculture project, has put up a voluntary online survey for farm operators, running until Feb. 18, “to look at how farmers […] Read more