BEEF WEBSITE OFFERS INSIGHTS AND TIPS ON PAIN MITIGATION . . . INNOVATION PROGRAMS OPEN UNTIL APRIL 8 . . . FARMERS PUT DOWN THE PLOW FOR MORE PRODUCTIVE SOIL . . . SOME ORGANIC FOOD LABELS ARE A LITTLE FISHY . . . SUSTAINABLE SMALL FARM SUMMIT . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

BEEF WEBSITE OFFERS INSIGHTS AND TIPS ON PAIN MITIGATION
Source: Alberta Farmer Express
The Beef Cattle Research Council has updated the pain mitigation section of its website. The following is an edited version of that page, which also contains videos and links to further articles. Consumer pressure to avoid painful practices on cattle when possible – and to reduce pain when castration, dehorning, or branding are necessary – is building. (read more)

INNOVATION PROGRAMS OPEN UNTIL APRIL 8
Source: ThinkFarm
The 2015-16 Innovation Programs are now open. The Programs and Business Risk Management Division is currently accepting proposals for the following programs: Research Acceleration; Farm Innovation; Innovation and Commercialization of Agri-Products. April 8 is the deadline for these programs. (read more)

FARMERS PUT DOWN THE PLOW FOR MORE PRODUCTIVE SOIL
Source: The New York Times
Gabe Brown is in such demand as a speaker that for every invitation he accepts, he turns down 10 more. At conferences, like the one held at a Best Western hotel recently, people line up to seek his advice. “The greatest roadblock to solving a problem is the human mind,” he tells audiences. Brown is talking about farming, specifically soil-conservation farming, a movement that promotes leaving fields untilled, “green manures,” and other soil-enhancing methods with (read more)

SOME ORGANIC FOOD LABELS ARE A LITTLE FISHY
Source: NPR The USDA is looking at standards for organic farmed fish, but many organic and consumer groups are unhappy with the recommended guidelines because they don’t meet the strict standards of other organic foods. (read more)

SUSTAINABLE SMALL FARM SUMMIT
Source: Sustainable Small Farm Summit & BK Farmyards
This event is dedicated to new farmers starting their first farm; WWOOFers and apprentices transitioning to become Farm Managers; visionaries contemplating changing their career to farming; and families of farmers who want to understand the business more. Living off the land is not always easy. If you don’t have a mentor who knows the ropes, chances are you’ll make some costly mistakes. Join a group of extraordinary farmers and practitioners as they share their business expertise and how to avoid the most common pitfalls. (read more)