PED update Tuesday, February 25, 2014 by SUSAN MANNFive per cent of 721 trailers transporting pigs tested to date have been positive for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and positive results continue to be detected on a regular basis, says the provincial agriculture ministry in a Feb. 25 industry update.The ministry is also reporting two new confirmed cases on Ontario farms, both on farrow-to-finish operations. One was confirmed in Oxford on Feb. 25, while the other was confirmed in Essex on Feb. 26. There are now confirmed cases on 23 farms in the province.Positive trailer results could occur “as a result of cross contamination, hogs from already known positive farms and other unconfirmed farms with mild PED infections,” says the ministry’s update posted on Ontario Pork’s website. “So far, trace backs of these positive trailers have not uncovered any new serious PED virus infections on farms. This indicates the virus is still circulating but at a low level in Ontario at this time.”The ministry also notes PED is an emerging disease that veterinarians must report to the provincial agriculture ministry under the Ontario Animal Health Act. To date, the rate of new cases remains low.“What we have learned and observed thus far indicates there is every hope we can keep the impact of PED at a low level in Ontario with continued vigilance and strict biosecurity, particularly at the farm gate,” the ministry says.Ontario Pork communications and consumer marketing manager Mary Jane Quinn says “we would support that. We feel increased biosecurity and having pork producers remain vigilant is going to be the key.” Another key to helping manage PED in Ontario is maintaining truck cleaning and disinfection as a top priority.The agriculture ministry says the original case farms are working with their veterinarians and “continue to successfully manage this serious disease. Some farms are again farrowing healthy piglets.” BF Tests inconclusive on link between PED and feed Program helps Ontario's swine industry enhance PED biosecurity measures
Where could ag fit in the fall session of Parliament? Tuesday, September 17, 2024 MPs returned to Ottawa this week to begin the fall session of Parliament. With the NDP pulling out of its supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals, a federal election could be triggered at any time if a non-confidence vote passes in the House. The carbon tax, cost of living... 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
Canada rail union launches court challenges to back-to-work order Monday, September 16, 2024 The union representing workers at Canada's two main rail companies said on Friday it had filed court challenges against rulings by the country's industrial labor board that forced them back to work,Reuters reported. On Saturday, the board accepted a request from the government to order... Read this article online
New resource to support root rot mitigation in pulses Monday, September 16, 2024 A new website is available to pulse growers looking to get ahead of root rot diseases in their pea and lentil fields. Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG), as part of the Pulse Root Rot Network, launched rootrot.ca. “As root rots are a top priority, this website was developed to... 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