January 19, 2015

CONTINUED BSE SURVEILLANCE ENCOURAGED . . . NOVA SCOTIA DAIRY FARMERS TO CONTINUE SCHOOL MILK SUPPORT . . . BIBLE HILL STUDENTS PITCH PLAN TO KEEP FARMING FRESH . . . ALL CHARGES WITHDRAWN AGAINST MUSKRAT FALLS PROTESTERS . . . ORGANIC RESEARCHERS GET A BOOST . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

CONTINUED BSE SURVEILLANCE ENCOURAGED 
Source: FCC
The Alberta government and the province’s beef and dairy groups are emphasizing the importance of BSE surveillance and are encouraging farmers to step up their participation in testing their animals. Alberta has fallen short of BSE testing numbers the last few years, coming in at only 5,000 to 6,000 samples, below the 10,000 target. Canada’s overall annual target of 30,000, however, is being met. (read more)

NOVA SCOTIA DAIRY FARMERS TO CONTINUE SCHOOL MILK SUPPORT
Source: Kings County News
Dairy farmers from across Nova Scotia voted unanimously Jan. 8 to continue to support a school milk program. The province’s 226 registered dairy farmers will contribute $165,000 to $180,000 in support of the program this year. (read more)

BIBLE HILL STUDENTS PITCH PLAN TO KEEP FARMING FRESH
Source: The Chronicle Herald
Jamie O’Kane has an idea about how to get aging farmers and would-be farmers together on a succession plan. The second-year agricultural student at Dalhousie University’s Bible Hill campus is one of 90 students from four different schools who took part in Start Up Weekend, three days of working with business proposals, pitching ideas and networking with agricultural business experts. (read more)

ALL CHARGES WITHDRAWN AGAINST MUSKRAT FALLS PROTESTERS
Source: The Labradorian
It was a day of relief and vindication for 10 protestors, most of whom are members of NunatuKavut, who have been in the provincial court system for more than a year. On Monday, the Crown dropped all charges against the group stemming from protests against the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project, including charges against NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) president Todd Russell,  (read more)

ORGANIC RESEARCHERS GET A BOOST
Source: OACC
In August, the Harper administration announced it will spend $8 million for the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) to lead the Organic Science Cluster II (OSCII). With funds in place through to 2018, OSCII will pursue industry-led research and development priorities, including optimizing crop productivity, advancing horticulture science, investigating sustainable solutions in integrated pest management, optimizing livestock health and welfare and adding value through innovative processing. (read more)

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

RESEARCH LOOKS TO SOLVE EQUINE COLIC MYSTERY http://news.siu.edu/2015/01/011615amh15001.php

THE FOG OF FARMING
http://modernfarmer.com/2015/01/fog-farming/

FOXY ORGANICS CELEBRATES BROCCOLEAF’S EARLY SUCCESS
http://www.producenews.com/news-dep-menu/test-featured/14904-foxy-organics-celebrates-broccoleaf-s-early-success

BODYCONDITIONSCORING.CA LAUNCHES NEW TOOLS FOR COW-CALF PRODUCERS
http://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/bodyconditionscoring-ca-launches/