GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES $3.8M  PARTNERSHIP FOR CANADIAN BEEF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE… CANADIAN DRESSAGE TEAM NAMED FOR WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES… EFFECT OF DIATOMACEOUS EARTH ON PARASITE LOAD, EGG PRODUCTION, AND EGG QUALITY OF FREE-RANGE ORGANIC LAYING HENS… SEVEN WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT WHEN WORKING OUTDOORS… OLD SCHOOL TILLAGE PRACTICES PERSIST OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES $3.8M PARTNERSHIP FOR CANADIAN BEEF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Source: Canada Beef Inc.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Gerry Ritz and Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Michelle Rempel joined Canada Beef Chair Chuck MacLean and President Rob Meijer to announce $3,844,800 in funding for the new Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence. “Our Government is proud to support this cutting-edge facility. This Centre will give our industry a competitive advantage in showcasing Canada’s top-quality meats and will allow our producers to capitalize on new and existing market opportunities,” said Minister Ritz during today’s announcement. (read more)

CANADIAN DRESSAGE TEAM NAMED FOR WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES
Source: Equine Canada
The Dressage Canada Selection Panel is pleased to announce the names of the Canadian Dressage Team who will compete in the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, FRA August 23 - September 7, 2014. Selected according to the qualification thresholds and selection procedures, four rider/horse combinations are named to the Team. (read more)

EFFECT OF DIATOMACEOUS EARTH ON PARASITE LOAD, EGG PRODUCTION, AND EGG QUALITY OF FREE-RANGE ORGANIC LAYING HENS
Source: PubMed.gov
The effectiveness of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a treatment against parasites and to increase feed efficiency and egg production of organically raised free-range layer hens was evaluated in two breeds of commercial egg layers [Bovan Brown (BB) and Lowmann Brown (LB)] that differ in their resistance to internal parasitic infections. Half the hens of each breed were fed diets supplemented with DE (2 percent). Their internal parasite loads were assessed by biweekly fecal egg counts (FEC) and by postmortem examination of the gastrointestinal tract. (read more)

SEVEN WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT WHEN WORKING OUTDOORS
Source: Canadian Occupational Standard
No sooner does summer arrive then weather stations are issuing heat advisories. For some workers, the heat is a serious occupational hazard. The human body is usually good at maintaining its ideal temperature of 37 C. At any time of year and in various circumstances, the body produces its own heat and prevents overheating by sweating. In extreme temperatures however, when the air is as hot or hotter than the body, the body’s cooling mechanisms can’t keep up. When the body can no longer cool itself properly, a number of heat-related health problems may occur. (read more)

OLD SCHOOL TILLAGE PRACTICES PERSIST
Source: The western Producer
The surge of acres farmed with no-till and conservation agriculture has been dramatic, but the story isn’t as rosy as it may seem. Constant tillage is still the norm in large parts of the world and the threat to soil is more extreme than ever, those attending the World Congress on Conservation Agriculture were told last week. (read more)