SURVERY SUGGESTS SUPPORT FOR FRACKING IN UK FALLS BELOW 50 PERCENT . . . CCA INITIATES SURVEY ABOUT RFID TECHNOLOGY . . . UPEI TO HOST WATER SYNPOSIUM . . . APPLE ORCHARD RENEWAL PROMOTED BY NEW PROGRAM . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

SURVERY SUGGESTS SUPPORT FOR FRACKING IN UK FALLS BELOW 50 PERCENT
Source: BBC
The number of people in favour of fracking for shale gas in the UK has fallen below 50 percent, a new poll suggests. Just 49.8 percent were in favour of shale gas extraction when researchers from the University of Nottingham asked 3,657 people earlier this month. This is the lowest number in support of fracking since the university started its poll on the issue in 2012. The latest results found 31.4 percent were against fracking, while 18.4 percent were undecided. (read more)

CCA INITIATES SURVEY ABOUT RFID TECHNOLOGY
Source: FCC
The Canadian Cattleman's Association is exploring the role of mobile technology in Radio Frequency Identification applications. With financial support from the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, CCA is starting by reaching out to cattle producers across the country for feedback on the technology. (read more)

UPEI TO HOST WATER SYNPOSIUM
Source: peicanada.com
The future of the Island’s water supply will be the subject of an upcoming public symposium May 20 at the University of Prince Edward Island. In light of recent concern about increased pressure on our groundwater resources by urban, industrial, and agricultural use, this event is a timely one. The symposium will include presentation by Dr. Ryan O’Connor, Dr. Cathy Ryan, and UPEI’s Dr. Michael van den Heuvel, and will include a public forum. Island Water Futures: Assessing the Science will take place in the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium, Room 242 of UPEI’s McDougall Hall, beginning at 7 pm. The symposium is sponsored by the Institute of Island Studies in conjunction with UPEI Research Services. The event is free and is open to the public. (read more)

APPLE ORCHARD RENEWAL PROMOTED BY NEW PROGRAM
Source: novascotia.ca
A new partnership between government and apple growers will encourage innovation through orchard renewal. The new Apple Industry Growth and Efficiency Program will see about 455 acres of old orchards replaced with newer variety apples. This represents about 10 percent of the apple industry's land base. This new initiative is modelled after the earlier, and highly successful, Honeycrisp Orchard Renewal Program. “This program will help apple growers to replant their orchards with new, higher value varieties that will help the industry to innovate, grow and be more profitable,” Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell said May 16. (read more)

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

OPEN HEART FARMING 2014: STEWARTS OF THE LAND
http://www.ohforgery.com

WEBINAR: LESSONS LEARNED FROM A REDUCED-TILLAGE ORGANIC CROPPING SYSTEMS PROJECT
http://www.extension.org/pages/70428/webinar:-lessons-learned-from-a-reduced-tillage-organic-cropping-systems-project#.U3q0qS_1-k0

NEW BRUNSWICK WILD BLUEBERRY STRATEGY 2013-2018
http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/10/pdf/Agriculture/WildBlueberries-BleuetsSauvages/WildBlueberryStrategy.pdf

ONLY 22 BROWN BATS COUNTED IN SOUTHERN NB
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/only-22-brown-bats-counted-in-southern-new-brunswick-1.2647485?cmp=rss