U.S. TO BAN ANTIBIOTICS FOR GROWTH PROMOTION . . . SEARCHING FOR CHIMNEY SWIFTS . . . WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH FERTILIZER PRICES . . . FOOD IS A GROWING EXPORT OPPORTUNITY FOR CANADIAN PRODUCERS . . . N.B. GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES COMMISSION TO ADDRESS HYDRAULIC FRACTURING . . .  OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

U.S. TO BAN ANTIBIOTICS FOR GROWTH PROMOTION
Source: OntarioFarmer.com
The United States intends to ban antibiotics as growth promotants by 2020. It’s part of a five-year, $1.2-billion plan unveiled by president Barrack Obama’s administration. The 63-page plan calls for the development of “non-traditional therapeutics, vaccines, and innovative strategies to minimize outbreaks caused by resistant bacteria in human and animal populations,” such as prebiotics and probiotics. (read more)

SEARCHING FOR CHIMNEY SWIFTS
Source: NSWOOA
In June 2010, I was doing a bird survey in northern New Brunswick in a patch of forest that had recently been harvested, leaving behind a few White pine snags. Suddenly, two dark shapes appeared in the sky above me, flickering through the air like blowing leaves. The next moment, the shapes plummeted from the sky into a tall pine snag and disappeared. That was my first introduction to the Chimney swift, a fascinating and rare bird native to eastern North America. (read more)

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH FERTILIZER PRICES
Source: AARD
Producers may have noticed slight increases in fertilizer prices since December, as the Canadian dollar has continually slid down to the 79-cent mark. Todd Bergen-Henengouwen, project assistant with Alberta Agriculture explains why, and what to expect in terms of where fertilizer prices are heading. (read more)

FOOD IS A GROWING EXPORT OPPORTUNITY FOR CANADIAN PRODUCERS
Source: ExportWise
For the past 20 years, Earl Geddes has travelled to more than 45 countries exploring and developing markets for Canadian foods, both in his current role as President of Progression Consulting and formerly as CEO of Canadian International Grains Institute and in senior market development capacities at The Canadian Wheat Board. We asked Mr. Geddes for his views on global drivers influencing growth opportunities for Canadian food suppliers, and what growers should do in order to explore their export potential. (read more)

N.B. GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES COMMISSION TO ADDRESS HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
Source: The Sackville Tribune Post
The provincial government has appointed a commission to study the issue of hydraulic fracturing and determine whether conditions outlined by the government can be met. (read more)

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

17 APRIL: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEASANT AND FARMER STRUGGLE AGAINST TRANSNATIONAL COMPANIES AND FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
http://www.viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april--day-of-peasants-struggle-mainmenu-33/1770-on-17th-april-we-struggle-against-transnational-companies-and-free-trade-agreements

SCYTHING WEEKEND AT THE HARRISON LEWIS CENTRE JUNE 20-21
HLC@eastlink.ca

NOT JUST SUGARY-SWEET, HARD CIDER MAKES A COMEBACK
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2015/03/28/395983010/not-just-sugary-sweet-hard-cider-makes-a-comeback

FARMER HERDS SHEEP WITH A DRONE IN LATEST SIGN OF ROBOTS TAKING OVER
http://www.cbc.ca/news/trending/farmer-herds-sheep-with-a-drone-in-latest-sign-of-robots-taking-over-1.3015287

MIST-COLLECTING PLANTS MAY “BIOINSPIRE” TECHNOLOGY TO HELP ALLEVIATE GLOBAL WATER SHORTAGES
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150330141350.htm