Humans spread ASF in Europe Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Humans are responsible for the spread of African Swine Fever in eastern Europe. That is the conclusion of scientists Klaus Depner and Sandra Blome at Germany's Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut.High levels of the virus causing ASF are found in the blood of infected animals, much less in saliva and feces, so living animals are not that contagious. Furthermore, sick animals with fevers don't travel; they stay put and die a few days after infection. Carcasses of infected wild boars do remain a source of infection for some time. The scientists speculate that, when many pigs were going to die, they were sent to slaughter and infected meat made it to markets, homes and suitcases. The virus spread along main roads.Farms that became infected were found to have insufficient biosecurity measures in place. Attempts to eradicate wild boars, thought to be a source of the disease, simply scared sick animals away, so that they died in other locations. Good hygiene and biosecurity are the answer, the scientists say. BP Venting on the weather Sizzle hasn't left the price of bacon
Canola sector unimpressed with federal support announcement Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Canada’s canola industry is displeased with the federal government’s recent announcements to support the sector. Prime Minister Carney announced $370 million in funding last week to introduce a new biofuel production incentive to support canola growers as they feel the effects of China’s... Read this article online
Sask. hosting rural innovation conference this month Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Estevan, Sask. will play host to ICED Rural 2025, Canada’s only rural innovation conference, Sept. 23 and 24. “This year’s theme zeroes in on two of the most critical challenges and opportunities facing rural innovation: Energy and Education,” the event website says. As part of the... Read this article online
Pork exports strengthen Manitoba's economy Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Manitoba’s pork export business has changed, according to a new provincial trade report released earlier this year. The report looked to sum up the province’s current pork trade landscape and identify alternate markets the province could be selling into. It was one of several such... Read this article online
Alberta Crop Harvest Moves Ahead of Averages Wednesday, September 10, 2025 According to the AFSC and Alberta Government Crop Reporting Survey, Alberta’s 2025 harvest is moving ahead of schedule as hot and dry conditions continue across the province. By September 2, major crop harvest was 22 percent complete, a 14 percent jump from last week. This pace is ahead of... Read this article online
Ag ministers wrap up FPT meetings in Winnipeg Wednesday, September 10, 2025 The federal government will support farmers as work continues to restore market access. That’s part of the message federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald told reporters Tuesday after two days of federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) meetings in Winnipeg. Recently announced... Read this article online