Hens that live and let live Tuesday, August 4, 2009 The Agricultural Research Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has developed a line of less aggressive hens that still produce a lot of eggs. The goal is to cut mortality in group-housed flocks without the usual, less than welfare-friendly beak trimming.Housed together to an age of 54 weeks in communal cages rather than battery cages, commercial birds are merciless and suffer an 89 per cent mortality rate compared to 20 per cent for the less aggressive, newly developed line of birds. The gentler birds also produced more eggs.A press release from the USDA says that, over 20 years of breeding selection, egg production has increased significantly in one particular breeding line of laying hens while mortality due to aggression and cannibalism among birds with untrimmed beaks increased tenfold.Biologist Heng-wei Cheng speculates that the less aggressive behaviour may be due to a decrease in dopamine levels in the birds. Dopamine, secreted by the brain, is associated with dysfunctional behaviour and a decreased ability to deal with stress. Red Fife returns to its Otonabee roots Behind the Lines - August/September 2009
$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
Canadian Ag Youth Council Welcomes new Members Saturday, September 14, 2024 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced the latest members to join the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council (CAYC). This update introduces nine fresh members alongside thirteen returning youths, marking a significant step towards involving young voices in agricultural... Read this article online