Cows that have had a encounters with wolves can experience stress-related illnesses and have a harder time getting pregnant, according to a new study by Oregon State University. This has the potential to decrease profits for ranchers. “When wolves kill or injure livestock, ranchers can document the financial loss,” said Reinaldo Cooke, an animal scientist in […]
Witnessing wolf attacks gives cows PTSD like symptoms
Stress hormones released can have lasting effects
Australia says drought to cut 2014-15 ag output — March 5, 2014
Canberra | Reuters — Drought conditions across Australia’s east coast will cut production of key agricultural commodities such as wheat and beef next season and reduce exports, the government’s chief commodities forecaster said on Tuesday. The current season could see Australia, the world’s third-largest wheat exporter, produce a bumper wheat crop, with increased plantings and […]
Feds back farm safety training ahead of Ag Safety Week — February 28, 2014
A five-year federal funding pledge for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is expected to help fund more farm safety training and monitoring progress towards safer farms. Candice Bergen, the federal minister of state for social development, announced the funding through the Fostering Business Development stream of AgriCompetitiveness — a $114-million program under Growing Forward […]
Australia commits nearly $300M to help drought-hit farmers — February 26, 2014
Sydney | Reuters – The Australian government will provide a A$320 million (C$319 million) assistance package to help farmers ravaged by years of drought across the east coast, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Wednesday. With pockets of Queensland and New South Wales recording the lowest-ever rainfall levels, farmers in the world’s third-biggest beef exporter […]
Decoding the new National Beef Code of Practice
Animal Environment list of requirements
For the Canadian Beef Industry the National Code of Practice is new. But for beef producers, dealing with the environment isn’t! The first chapter of the new code looks at Animal Environment, followed by Feed and Water, Animal Health, Animal Husbandry, Transportation, and Euthanasia. It makes a logical progression for explaining the industry practices to […]
Japan, U.S. fail to make headway in Pacific trade pact talks — February 25, 2014
Singapore | Reuters — Bilateral talks between Japan and the U.S., held as part of negotiations on a Pacific trade pact, ended without an agreement Monday, with Japanese Economics Minister Akira Amari saying that gaps still remained between the two sides. U.S. and Japanese differences over agricultural tariffs are one of the major hurdles facing […]
Consider farmers’ viewpoint when advising on back pain — February 21, 2014
About four of every five Canadians suffer back pain at some time in their lives — but any professionals advising farmers on how to manage the problem will want to consider how farmers’ needs differ from those of other sufferers, a new study suggests. Of course, farmers’ access to health care out in rural areas […]
Wal-Mart forecast disappoints as grocery business struggles — February 20, 2014
Reuters — The struggles of the low-income U.S. consumer are playing out in Wal-Mart Stores’ grocery aisles. The world’s largest retailer, which gets more than half its sales from groceries, on Thursday gave a disappointing full-year forecast. It blamed sharp cuts in food stamp benefits and higher payroll taxes that are will hit disposable income […]
Obama pledges help for drought-stricken California — February 18, 2014
Los Banos, Calif. | Reuters — U.S. President Barack Obama toured parts of California’s drought zone on Friday and pledged to speed help to the No. 1 farm state, but he said harsh weather in the U.S. will get worse until more steps are taken to address climate change. California is coming off its driest […]
Japan eyes trade pact concessions as talks with U.S. begin — February 18, 2014
Tokyo | Reuters — Japan could make concessions on tariffs on some sensitive farm products, a key cabinet minister said Tuesday, as U.S. and Japanese officials began talks ahead of next week’s high-level multilateral negotiations on a U.S.-led free trade deal. A deal between the U.S. and Japan, the two biggest economies taking part in […]