(Note: The information provided is from press releases, Farm Focus is not responsible for its accuracy.)
New Product
MANURE PROBLEMS OVER
Global Greening Products of Vancouver, BC in conjunction with honu environmental has introduced a line of manure decomposers that effectively eliminate odours, ground water contamination, reduce pests and vermin, reduce cross contamination and turn manure to fertilizer within 48 hours or into good water within 24 hours. There are no escaping gasses.
Now you can make your own fertilizer – either liquid or powder.
Using friendly microorganisms, the machines work like our stomachs; organic material goes in and the liquid and/or solids are processed and eliminated.
The machines come in a wide variety of processing sizes and uses minimal electricity.
A video of a small commercial machine in use is at www.global-greening.com
Global Greening Products was created to reduce organic waste problems in beef, chicken and hog farms, cereal crop farms, fish farms and in hotels and restaurants. The machines are robust with a five-year warranty and the microorganisms are in compliance with federal and provincial regulatory bodies.
News
CropLife Canada launches pilot program to assess Bt corn growers' refuge plantings
An on-farm, third-party assessment program to increase the number of farmers planting the proper non-Bt corn refuge area to prevent the development of insect resistance is being piloted by CropLife Canada, the trade association representing Canada's plant science industry.
This pilot program is in response to a recent study that revealed only 61 per cent of farmers growing Bt corn - a genetically modified variety of corn that is resistant to certain insect pests - are planting the recommended 20 per cent refuge area.
"This program is part of our industry's commitment to proper stewardship of our technologies," says Lorne Hepworth, president of CropLife Canada. "This year's pilot is phase one of a corrective action plan to increase refuge plantings in future years."
Agricultural production has historically endured huge losses to pests and disease, and many methods of pest control have had limited life spans. In an effort to avoid this, biotechnology companies put in place resistance management plans, which include the planting of refuges of non-Bt corn. More than a decade after the first large-scale introduction of crops with biotechnology-derived pest control traits, no insect resistance has developed in Canada.
"We must support these insect resistance management plans that have proved so successful through the years. Biotechnology-derived crops provide significant benefits to farmers and consumers alike. Thanks to Bt crops, farmers now enjoy reduced pest pressures, improved yields and lower input costs which benefits their businesses, the environment and consumers alike," says Hepworth.
Starting in July, assessors will be visiting producers growing Bt corn hybrids across Ontario and Quebec to determine whether they are planting the recommended refuge areas. The 100 farmers in Ontario and 50 in Quebec who have been selected for an assessment will be notified by mail. Accredited auditors from the Agrichemical Warehousing Standards Association (AWSA) will visit these farms throughout July and August.
Assessors will report back to CropLife Canada and individual companies will conduct follow-up visits with customers not planting the recommended refuges to help ensure the grower grows the appropriate refuge the following year.
CropLife Canada and its members realize that farmers have already planted their crops for 2010, but the pilot project will help to raise awareness of the industry's commitment to increasing the number of corn growers respecting the refuge. This will allow growers the opportunity to purchase the correct amount of non-Bt corn seed for their next planting season, prior to the commencement of the full-scale on-farm assessment program starting in 2011.
News
AntelBio Selected to Research Bovine TB Milk Diagnostics
AntelBio’s expertise in developing milk sample diagnostic tests was key in the US Department of Agriculture’s recent decision to award a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant. The funding will be used to investigate novel Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) detection methods in bulk milk samples. With new clinical bTB cases emerging in cattle in a number of states; and control and eradication programs running in the millions of dollars, identifying new cost effective screening methods would be a tremendous benefit.
Dr. Preetha Biswas, AntelBio Research Scientist, and principle investigator for the study commented, “Design and development of a real-time PCR assay effective for use in milk could have a tremendous impact on early intervention and prevention strategies for bTB, and minimize the threat it poses to food supplies. Tests of this type would be particularly efficient when employed by milk marketing organizations as well as governmental agencies.”
Improved detection methods could facilitate development of a simple, cost effective screening tool for bTB which would have a significant impact on the dairy industry nationwide. At the conclusion of the first phase of the research, results will be evaluated by USDA to determine if subsequent research and funding is warranted to continue development of a product that could - be commercialized.
Approximately ten years ago AntelBio developed a test to detect Johne’s Disease in milk samples collected routinely through the Dairy Herd Information (DHI) system. This accomplishment was the start of activities that created a milk diagnostic market in the United States. In 2009, over 200,000 Johne’s ELISA tests were run by AntelBio and DHI labs across the country. In addition to Johne’s, AntelBio now offers milk tests for Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV), Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD), and Progesterone, with a goal to develop additional tests for this unique sample platform.
For more information visit: antelbio.com
(AntelBio is an innovative animal testing center devoted to the development and implementation of novel diagnostics for agriculture. A subsidiary of NorthStar Cooperative Inc, a Midwest US agricultural organization, AntelBio is working to implement disease testing into the infrastructure of traditional animal recording through Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI).)
News
NATIONAL FARMERS UNION STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS
The National Farmers Union has undergone a transition in staff over the last several months. Terry Pugh, Executive Secretary, departed in April to pursue other opportunities in journalism, and Darrin Qualman, Director of Research, left at the end of June to dedicate his time to a book project. Diane Neufeld, the office receptionist and secretary is retiring in November after 29 years with the organization. The National Farmers Union wishes to acknowledge all three individuals for their significant contribution to the organization.
Ross Hinther joined the staff in May, as the new Director of Research. Ross has a farm near Saskatoon, and has grown organic grains and raised cattle in the Aberdeen district. His previous work experience is in Information Technology in the fertilizer and mining industries. Ross looks forward to doing research and advocacy on behalf of the National Farmers Union.
Kevin Wipf came onboard as Executive Director in June. He comes to the NFU from the University of Alberta where he taught courses in political science and public policy, while he worked on his PhD dissertation on Canadian agriculture policy. Kevin also served as the Service Director of the Kinsmen Club of Edmonton. Originally from Saskatoon, Kevin grew up working on his family’s grain farm just outside the city. Kevin looks forward to becoming more directly involved in agricultural issues, working with the NFU membership and staff, and helping the organization achieve its objectives.
News
Syngenta Develops Benchstrength in Canadian Cereal Production
On July 27, Syngenta Canada President Jay Bradshaw announced the appointment of Jim Bagshaw as national seeds marketing manager for cereals. This is a newly-created position at Syngenta and signifies the company’s commitment to the cereals business both globally and in Canada, including wheat breeding, disease resistance, pest management and sustainability.
Bagshaw will work closely with Syngenta Crop Protection as well as Syngenta Seeds R&D teams in Morden, MB and Elm River, MB, to offer producers a comprehensive, sustainable and cost-effective cereals product portfolio designed to ‘bring plant potential to life’.
Francis Kirigwi, a wheat breeder with Syngenta Seeds Canada, and assistant Claude Durand, both based in Morden, MB, will work with Bagshaw to develop wheat varieties that will help prairie producers respond to the world’s growing need for food in an era marked by climate change and the emergence of new wheat diseases.
“Globally, Syngenta has always been a world leader in the development of wheat and barley cereal seed genetics,” says Jay Bradshaw. “We are delighted to now provide dedicated resources to help further the development and improvement of these vital crops here in Canada. This new team will focus on wheat breeding with an emphasis on grain quality and disease resistance, to help Canadian farmers remain competitive in the global market, and to help combat the threat of diseases such as fusarium and stripe rust.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to work with highly-talented people as we strive to make a difference to cereal producers worldwide - both on our farms here in Canada and small shareholder farmers in developing countries,” says Jim Bagshaw, of his new appointment. “We have to continue to develop wheat varieties that work within the confines of limited land and water and that will fit within sustainable agricultural systems to meet the needs of future generations. Water use efficiency, nitrogen efficiency, disease resistance and quality issues such as kernel weight and protein content, are all key R&D issues that keep us awake at night right now, but that one day will ensure crop security for wheat and cereals.”
