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 Innovation Insights: Regenerative what?
Commentary by Mike McMorris, LRIC CEO, November 2020: The latest phrase getting a lot of buzz and attention is “regenerative agriculture”, but what does that mean and why should Ontario livestock producers care?
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Open research calls
- Improving Swine Welfare in Canada - Swine Innovation Porc
- Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI)
- OMAFRA Alliance Call for University of Guelph Tier One Research Proposals
- Places to Grow
More details here
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Poultry: Pre-slaughter measures impact further processing
Reducing summer heat stress on broilers awaiting slaughter improves meat quality, research shows. Interventions include water-spraying and forced ventilation during holding.
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Swine: Sperm discovery could boost repro rates
According to research findings from the University of Illinois, natural sugar slows the maturation rate of sperm in pigs. This could extend its longevity inside a sow's reproductive tract, increasing the chance of successful fertilization.
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Beef: New vaccine method developed against common cattle disease
Kansas State University and Iowa State University researchers have collaborated to develop a new vaccine method to treat cattle against Bovine Anaplasmosis. Their single-dose vaccine platform would eliminate the need for giving cattle antibiotics through feed or administer multiple injections.
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Dairy: Powering milk trucks with dairy manure
European dairy company Arla has launched a three month trial in the UK exploring the idea of using dairy manure to power its milk trucks. Manure is turned into gas in an anaerobic digester and then liquified into fuel to run the trucks.
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Sheep: Finding the cause of internal parasites
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance has approved funding for a project led by University of Guelph professor Dr. Angela Canovas to identify genetic markers for gastrointestinal nematode resistance. Parasites are the one of the leading causes of economic losses in the sheep industry.
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Aquaculture: Yeasts for healthier fish?
Studies have shown that yeast derivatives can boost the immune systems of aquatic animals. Yeast fractions can help balance gut microflora and stimulate natrual defences, reducing the need for antimicrobials in aquaculture production.
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Feed: Precision feeding reduces environmental impacts
Adjusting the nutrients in pig feed to match the actual needs of the animal lessens what is unused and ends up in the environment, a new study conducted by Wageningen Livestock Research shows. The research is part of the European Union's "Feed-a-Gene" project that is looking to improve feed conversion and reduce the environmental impact of pigs, poultry and rabbits.
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Gene-editing: Genetics could hold the key to more sustainable cattle
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have found genetic links between cattle and water buffalo associated with production traits like milk yield, disease resistance and birth weight. This could mean that gene-editing techniques could improve the productivity and health of livestock, resulting in more sustainable agriculture.
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Alternative proteins: Study to look at long term viability of cell-based meat
The University of California Davis has launched research into the long-term sustainability and commercial viability of cell-cultured meat. Project goals include developing stable stem cell lines and inexpensive plant-based media with which to grow the meat, and establishing the nutritional value, stability and sensory qualities of cultivated meat.
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Agtech: The future of online marketplaces in agriculture
A report by global consultancy McKinsey & Company suggests the online marketplace is here to stay - and even for farmers, it's changing how they make purchases. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, 95% of farms surveyed across Europe indicated they are considering changing their purchasing behaviours to minimize direct physical interactions. It's estimated the European online farming market could grow to $11.8 bn US by 2025.
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Every once in a while, we come across a story or a topic that just begs for response and discussion. This month we came across just such a piece about a proposal for a tax on livestock to pay for future pandemics.
A brief summary is below along with a link to the longer article. We encourage you all to read it, think about it, and let us know what you think. We’ll report on the outcomes in next month’s newsletter.
Meat consumption: A pandemic tax?
A team of international experts is proposing a tax on livestock production and meat consumption to reduce the risk of future pandemics. The scientists pointed to over-consumption of meat as being a driver of pandemic risk, as well as having human health and environmental implications.
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Thanks for reading. We'd love to hear your feedback about LRIC - both about what we're doing and what you think we should be doing! Please contact us at info@livestockresearch.ca with any questions or comments.
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