A massive fire south of Delisle, Sask., destroyed two chicken barns and may have killed as many as 30,000 chickens last night. Black smoke billowed hundreds of feet into the sky and was visible from as far away as Saskatoon as emergency crews arrived on the scene shortly before 7 p.m. Firefighters from Delisle and […] Read more
Carcass disposal raises concerns amid avian flu’s spread
American health experts worry that the methods used to dispose of culled animals will further spread the disease
REUTERS — The spread of avian flu among poultry and dairy farms has heightened health experts’ concerns that the process of killing and disposing of birds infected with the virus may pose a risk to humans and livestock. Recent instances of farms dumping carcasses in landfills and using methods to kill chickens that put workers […] Read more
Research finds a safer way to decontaminate eggs
A new method that has been developed at the University of Saskatchewan promises decontamination with less damage
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan say a technique used for cleaning swine barns has led them to an effective method for decontaminating eggs. The method uses water and electricity to create engineered water nanostructures (EWN), which clean the eggs without damaging the cuticle, the natural outer coating that seals the egg. This reduces the […] Read more
ADM recalls animal feed
Reuters – Archer-Daniels-Midland said its division is expanding a recall to include 17 additional lots of chicken, swine and rabbit feed products due to elevated levels of magnesium, sodium, calcium and/or phosphorus that may harm the animals. ADM Animal Nutrition in late March had recalled select Pen Pals chicken feed, MoorMan’s ShowTec swine feed, AMPT […] Read more
Another $1 billion to refinance status quo won’t stop ag pandemics
When word came out of Texas on April 1 that avian flu had made another unwelcome hop — this one from a dairy cow to a human — the news seemed like an April Fool’s joke. It wasn’t. In fact, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or bird flu), the quick-killing disease that has led to […] Read more
Livestock sector history features consolidation
The past century has seen bigger farms and an industry divided into segments that often produce at just one growth stage
REGINA — Livestock producers of 100 years ago wouldn’t recognize their industry today. From the small homesteads with a milk cow and a handful of other animals and poultry to the large intensive operations of today, animal production for food consumption has become an industry rather than a family food source. But this isn’t the […] Read more
Case of the secret chicken price hike
We deeply value our farmers and rely on their hard work to provide us with essential food. Most farmers are eager to share their stories and take pride in their work. When it comes to supply-managed sectors, such as dairy, eggs and poultry, the dynamics are a bit different, particularly regarding the prices they can […] Read more
U.S. poultry bans continue
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — U.S. poultry producers say they face prolonged economic pain from avian flu despite going months without infections in flocks as China and some smaller importers fail to lift trade bans implemented during the nation’s worst-ever outbreak of the virus. The lingering bans, imposed last year to prevent the spread of the […] Read more
Avian flu risk continues despite lull, researchers warn
Poultry farms in Western Canada saw few cases of the disease this spring, but the reasons continue to remain unclear
It was a quiet spring for avian influenza outbreaks at commercial poultry operations in Western Canada. Only two commercial operations, one each in Alberta and British Columbia, have reported infections, compared with the dozens hit in 2022 in both provinces. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have seen no cases so far this year. Last year, a highly […] Read more
School builds ag focus into curriculum
An Alberta Kindergarten to Grade 12 school puts an agricultural spin on what it teaches by offering hands-on experience
Hands-on experience can be mind-changing for aspiring young agrarians. To that end, Altario Agriculture Academy in Altario, Alta., has been building a farm curriculum into its junior high and high school program for years.
