CFIA investigate why an Ontario dairy goat farm ended up with scrapie Thursday, February 20, 2014 by SUSAN MANN The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is tracing movements of goats on and off an undisclosed Ontario farm in connection with an outbreak of scrapie, a fatal degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system of sheep and goats. Jennifer Haley, Ontario Goat executive director, says the disease was detected on the commercial dairy goat farm in December through regular health monitoring with the farm’s veterinarian. The euthanization of the 482-goat herd was completed by the end of January. Haley says it’s very rare to find scrapie in goats in Canada. “Previous cases of scrapie in goats have been linked back to connections with sheep flocks,” she explains. The fact that they haven’t heard of any new cases developing in Ontario is good news, she adds, noting scrapie is still a low prevalence disease in goats in Canada. But Ontario Goat is waiting to see what final conclusions CFIA reaches once it completes its investigation. “If this is an isolated goat scrapie case, that is unique,” Haley says. One of the challenges with the CFIA investigation is the lack of animal identification and record keeping within the goat industry, Haley says, noting there are some farmers who keep records but it isn’t mandatory or standardized within the industry. “That has kind of hampered the investigation process.” Haley says she doesn’t know how many of the animals on the farm had the disease but all goats had to be euthanized so they can be tested. There isn’t a way to confirm scrapie by testing living goats for the disease. “The only way to absolutely confirm scrapie (in goats) is post mortem.” The farmer has been very cooperative with the investigation process and understands the importance of disease eradication, she says. All suspected cases must be reported to CFIA, which must notify the World Organization for Animal Health when cases are confirmed. Scrapie is internationally recognized as a serious disease. In Canada industry and government have instituted a scrapie eradication program since 2005. Rachael Burdman, Canadian Food Inspection Agency spokesperson, says by email that the farm remains under quarantine. She would not say where the farm is located. CFIA recognizes these situations are difficult and “does its utmost to respect the privacy of those involved,” states Burdman in the email. “Therefore we do not release any specific information about any actions taken on premises, other than to confirm CFIA is acting under the authority of the Health of Animals Act to prevent the spread of serious animal disease in Canada.” Haley says Ontario Goat is continuing to provide moral support and help with biosecurity options for the farmer involved. While the goat producers’ organization isn’t providing financial support to the farmer, it is helping by liaising with government “in terms of the funding they are able to access,” she says. Government provides compensation in cases where it orders animals to be destroyed, she notes. BF Poultry research targets environmental footprint, vaccines Farmers face greater challenges in obtaining treatment for back pain, study finds
Stinger Spade Bits kit from Spyder Friday, September 20, 2024 By Braxteen Breen, Whether you are constructing/repairing fencing and other structures around the farm, you can get those tasks completed on the farm quickly with the Stinger Spade Bits kit from Spyder. The Spade Bits kit provides an economical solution for someone who wants to make... Read this article online
$18.4M Boost for Canadian Cereal Grain Innovation Thursday, September 19, 2024 Gate Project Receives Major Funding for Research Canada's position as a pioneer in cereal grain research is set to strengthen with the Gate Capital Campaign raising $18.4 million. This funding will support the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) initiative, a project... Read this article online
BASF introduces Surtain herbicide for field corn growers Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Field corn growers in eastern Canada have a new crop protection product available to them. After about 10 years of research and trials, BASF has introduced Surtain, a residual herbicide for corn that combines PPO inhibitor saflufenacil (Group 14) and pyroxasulfone (Group 15) in a premix... Read this article online
We Didn’t Start the Fire! Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Corn Monday, September 16, 2024 Assistant Professor of Corn Production at Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, Daniel Quinn, PhD. recently provided fascinating insights into the impacts of fire on major corn producing areas, many of which have been impacted by smoke from wildfires. Quinn was the keynote... Read this article online
New home for the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario Saturday, September 14, 2024 The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) has announced it has moved into its new office building in Ingersoll. Located at 274620 27th Line in Ingersoll, the new office will serve as the hub for CFFO’s ongoing efforts to advocate for and support Ontario’s Christian farmers.... Read this article online