SUNNY POINT FARMS – HIGH PERFORMANCE HERD . . . WHEN HUMANS DECLARED WAR ON FISH . . . ATLANTIC BEEF EDITOR GOLD WINNER AT AJAs . . . CANADA RISKS BEING SIDELINED IN TPP TRADE DEAL, VILSACK SAYS . . . MIXED BAG OF GUN LAW CHANGES ON CONSERVATIVES’ AGENDA . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

SUNNY POINT FARMS – HIGH PERFORMANCE HERD
Source: NSFA
Sunny Point may not be a big name on the international Holstein scene but they are certainly building some solid potential. They provide top level management, expect top level performance from the cows, and have assembled some of the “name” families of the breed for their embryo program. And judging from the interest created by their first high genetic-merit offering at the Sale of Stars last fall, Sunny Point is a name you could well hear much more from in the future. (read more)

WHEN HUMANS DECLARED WAR ON FISH
Source: NY Times
On May 8 we humans observed V-E Day, the end to one part of a global catastrophe that cost the planet at least 60 million lives. But if we were fish, we would have marked the day differently – as the beginning of a campaign of violence against our taxonomic classes, one that has resulted in trillions of casualties. Oddly, the war itself was a great reprieve for many marine species. Just as Axis and Allied submarines and mines made the transportation of war materiel a highly perilous endeavor, they similarly interfered with fishing. The ability to catch staple seafoods, like cod, declined markedly. Freed from human pursuit, overexploited species multiplied in abundance. (read more)

ATLANTIC BEEF EDITOR GOLD WINNER AT AJAs
Source: AtlanticFarmer.ca
A celebration of excellence in Atlantic Canadian journalism was held May 9 during the 34th Atlantic Journalism Awards (AJAs), at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel. The gold award in Business Reporting: Any Medium was won by Rachel Brighton for her Rural Delivery June 2014 story Big Dairy Comes East: Consolidation Makes “Local” Elusive.
Congratulations Rachel!

CANADA RISKS BEING SIDELINED IN TPP TRADE DEAL, VILSACK SAYS
Source: Canadian Cattlemen
Canada risks getting left behind in a 12-nation Pacific trade deal because it has been reluctant to negotiate opening its markets, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday. Canada, like Japan, has been reluctant to put down a final offer in the talks, over concern U.S. lawmakers could pick apart agreements afterwards. Canada remains keen to shield its dairy industry. Ottawa has so far not put forth a “reasonable offer,” Vilsack said in an interview in Istanbul ahead of a G20 meeting of agriculture ministers. (read more)

MIXED BAG OF GUN LAW CHANGES ON CONSERVATIVES’ AGENDA
Source: The Chronicle Herald
New Conservative legislation that changes the gun licensing system has cleared a House of Commons committee and is on track to become law before the summer recess – and a likely autumn election. Bill C-42, dubbed the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act, has drawn sharp criticism even within the sport-shooting community but nonetheless remains grist for Conservative get-out-the-vote efforts, especially in rural Canada. (read more)