The re-emergence of swine dysentery in Western Canada has officials reminding producers about the importance of biosecurity. The disease was first discovered in the 1970s, but incidents have been rare on the Prairies since the mid-1990s. However, there have been 25 cases in Saskatchewan and Alberta since 2009, said John Harding of the University of […] Read more
Tag Archives Disease
Rise in swine dysentery prompts biosecurity reminder
Bison cull urged in national park
Diseased bison will continue to show up in northern Alberta un-less the diseased Wood Buffalo National Park herd is killed and the park restocked with disease-free animals, said the past chair of the Alberta Bison Producers. “The bottom line is someday we’ve got to recognize that the herd in the park has to be destroyed […] Read more
Researchers study link between ticks, horses
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are trying to get a better understanding of ticks and how they could affect horses. They are asking Saskatchewan horse owners to participate in an ongoing survey by submitting samples of ticks they find on their animals. The research stems from a case in 2010 in which a horse […] Read more
Resistant wheat key to keeping stripe rust at bay
Look for spores | Producers told to be vigilant in scouting fields because ‘it can be like a steamroller once it gets going’
The photograph shown on a screen in the cavernous meeting room depicted a flat green open field. On the horizon was an orangey grey cloud. Those who saw the cloud arrive in 2011 may not have realized the deadly potential it held for southern Alberta cereal crops. It contained stripe rust spores originating in the […] Read more
Surge in swamp fever sparks call for blood tests, fly control
Veterinarians and industry officials are urging horse owners to test their animals after a dramatic spike in equine infectious anemia, or swamp fever, in 2011. Wendy Wilkins, disease surveillance technician at Saskatchewan Agriculture, said more than 100 horses tested positive last year in the province out of 180 across Canada. That compares to four Saskatchewan […] Read more
