AGROPUR CLOSING COOK’S DAIRY IN YARMOUTH . . . BILL TO ALLOW FRACKING RESEARCH  . . . 25TH ANNUAL MAINE BEEF CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON PROFITABILITY . . . ANNUAL 4-H NEW BRUNSWICK PROVINCIAL SHOW . . . COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS DELIVERY MARKET RECEIVES LEGAL CLARITY  . . . U.S.D.A. TO START PROGRAM TO SUPPORT LOCAL AND ORGANIC FARMING  . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

Apology: The NS 4-H Pro Show results are not available as promised. We will share them as soon as possible. Ed

AGROPUR CLOSING COOK’S DAIRY IN YARMOUTH
Source: CBC.ca
A former employee says he isn’t surprised to hear today the Quebec owners of Cook’s Dairy in Yarmouth, N.S., are closing the plant a little more than a year after buying the facility. Some 21 people will lose their jobs when the dairy closes later in October. Danny Landry left Cook’s Dairy a year ago, just months after Agropur took over the Cook family business. He worked for Cook's for more than 40 years, most of that time making delivery runs. (read more)

BILL TO ALLOW FRACKING RESEARCH Source: The Chronicle Herald The N.S. Liberal government’s bill to ban high-volume hydraulic fracturing will make exceptions for the controversial practice for testing or research purposes. Energy Minister Andrew Younger on Tuesday introduced amendments to the Petroleum Resources Act, which will formally legislate a ban on fracking. The exception for research and testing will allow the province to continue to build on science and knowledge of the potential resource, said the minister. The legislation gives authority to government to create rules and regulations for research. (read more)

25TH ANNUAL MAINE BEEF CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON PROFITABILITY
Source: MBPA
The Maine Beef Producers Association (MBPA) will hold its 25th Annual Beef Conference Saturday, Dec. 6, 8am – 4 pm in Bangor. MBPA and the Maine Grass Farmers Network (MGFN) host the conference with sponsors University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Industry sponsors include National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Maine Beef Industry Council. (read more)

ANNUAL 4-H NEW BRUNSWICK PROVINCIAL SHOW
Source: N.B. 4-H Council Ltd
The 34th Annual 4-H N.B. Provincial Show held in Sussex at the Princess Louise Park Show Centre on August 26-28, 2014 was deemed a great success by its organizers. The event combined many fun activities and competition for 4-H members with the emphasis being on participation and learning. (read more)

NATURAL GAS DELIVERY MARKET RECEIVES LEGAL CLARITY
Source: N.S. Dept of Energy
Amendments to the Gas Distribution Act, introduced Oct. 2 clarify market rules for delivering compressed natural gas in Nova Scotia. Large customers like manufacturers, hospitals, and universities, and small customers like local businesses and households can benefit from the amendments. (read more)

U.S.D.A. TO START PROGRAM TO SUPPORT LOCAL AND ORGANIC FARMING
Source: NY Times
The United States Department of Agriculture plans to announce Monday that it will spend $52 million to support local and regional food systems like farmers’ markets and food hubs and to spur research on organic farming. The local food movement has been one of the fastest growing segments of the business, as consumers seek to know more about where, how, and by whom their food is grown. (read more)

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

WINNIPEG ENTREPRENEUR BETS THE FARM ON THAT OTHER BLACK GOLD
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/the-
challenge/entrepreneur-bets-the-farm-on-that-other-black-gold/article20854910/

A CHINESE INVESTMENT ON FRACKING FAILS TO DELIVER
http://online.wsj.com/articles/a-chinese-investment-on-fracking-fails-to-deliver-1412118451

RESEARCH LOOKS AT DUNG BEETLES AS A NATURAL CLEAN-UP CREW
http://www.thegrower.com/news/Research-looks-at-dung-beetles-as-a-natural-clean-up-crew-277776801.html#sthash.A9gSOeCa.dpuf

AVOIDING THE FALL SLUMP
http://www.agriview.com/news/dairy/avoiding-the-fall-slump/article_2f4b8d6b-1502-5332-8b31-841a453bc438.html