Barlow’s on-farm biosecurity bill heading to Standing Committee

Barlow’s on-farm biosecurity bill heading to Standing Committee

Animal Justice gearing up to fight

Bill C-275, a private member’s strengthening on-farm biosecurity via the Health of Animals Act, is heading to committee. Alberta Conservative MP John Barlow’s bill was referred to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on June 21 after receiving 313 votes to amend the Health of Animals Act. The committee will hear […] Read more

Washpower robot washers are in more than 1,000 barns around the world, including American barns seen in these promotional photos.

Automated washer a possible biosecurity, labour boon

Understaffing and outbreaks of PED have been linked

Glacier FarmMedia – A hog farm in southeastern Manitoba is taking a crack at automating its barn washing process with help from a Danish robot. “It definitely creates labour efficiencies,” said Dickson Gould, president of the Progressive Group. It is testing a Washpower robotic pressure washer in a batch farrowing barn. Why it matters: Labour […] Read more

Proposed federal bill aims to tighten biosecurity and trespass protections

Proposed federal bill aims to tighten biosecurity and trespass protections

The bill adds significant fines to organizations that encourage trespassing in livestock zones

Second time lucky is the hope for a federal private member’s bill that would strengthen biosecurity on farms through the Health of Animals Act. Bill C-275 seeks to amend the Act, making it an offence to enter a place where animals are kept, without lawful authority or excuse, if doing so could result in a […] Read more

“This system enables farm managers to lower the risk of diseases entering barns by proactively controlling the people entry points.”

New biosecurity management system uses facial recognition technology

Controlled access of livestock barns can now be realized using facial recognition technology with a new management tool called Protocol. This biosecurity management system, designed for North American pork and poultry producers, is the result of the merger between Ontario-based Farm Health Guardian Ltd. and U.S.-based NoveTechnologies, LLC (NoveTech). “Together our companies are stronger, and […] Read more

Poultry producers are advised against trying to scare wild bird flocks away from commercial operations because they may bring back infected material.

Avian flu farm-to-farm spread looks less likely

Wild birds remain most likely suspects, but the CFIA is investigating detection of the disease in flies and darkling beetles

Glacier FarmMedia – There are no signs that the spread of avian influenza will be contained anytime soon, according to a workshop recently hosted by Animal Health Canada. “We are now starting the third wave,” said Manon Racicot, veterinary epidemiologist with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, during the March 29 workshop in Ottawa. Those waves […] Read more


(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Avian flu outbreaks climb in Quebec poultry

Thirteen outbreaks reported in province so far in April

After a relatively quiet March with just one outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic poultry, Quebec has turned up 13 outbreaks so far this month. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency in April has reported detections of high-path avian flu at 13 sites in that province, including: three commercial barns in the regional county […] Read more

Feed processors get new standards

Feed processors get new standards

Animal nutrition companies now have a new set of standards to follow with recent updates to the FeedAssure program. The Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC) recently announced the official release of the updated FeedAssure program, version 4.0 (2022). FeedAssure, the feed safety program designed for the Canadian feed industry, is owned and administered by […] Read more

Farmers have stepped up biosecurity as the current strain of avian influenza is more transmissible than other outbreaks.

Poultry sector resumes vigilance over avian influenza

Highly pathogenic strain resurfaces for Wave 3 of outbreak

The spring run of highly pathogenic avian influenza has started, but a year of experience managing the disease has Ontario farmers ready with new knowledge and tools. As of March 23, there were two confirmed cases in Ontario in domestic poultry and numerous suspected and confirmed deaths of wild birds. Why it matters: More than […] Read more


Farm Health Guardian CEO Rob Hannam, centre, with customer support coordinators Alicia Boakes, left, and Adam Black, right, at the Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show innovation award ceremony.

Digital biosecurity software attracts local, international attention

Ontario-based Farm Health Guardian improving communication for farmers during disease outbreaks

Disease prevention and responding quickly in case of an outbreak are two critical components to keeping livestock healthy, borders open and food on grocery store shelves.  An Ontario company has developed a series of tools to help the agriculture sector do just that, and their innovations are turning heads on both sides of the Atlantic.  […] Read more

Scientific sampling of eggs in poor condition, analysis of avian influenza in humans

HPAI found on Ontario poultry farm

Ontario poultry industry urged to practice strict biosecurity

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed a positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on an Ontario poultry farm in Oxford County September 17. This is the first positive case of HPAI that Ontario has experienced since May 18, 2022. The Feather Board Command Centre (FBCC) is reminding all poultry farmers, small flock […] Read more