Early exposure to pets can reduce allergy and obesity.

A new study by University of Alberta has shown that early exposure to pets can reduce allergy and obesity by altering gut bacteria in immune-boosting ways. This new study has showed that babies from families with pets of which 70% were dogs showed higher levels of two types of microbes associated with lower risks of allergic disease and obesity. The theory is that exposure to dirt and bacteria early in life from the dog's fur or from its paws can create early immunity.The study shed more light by understanding the connection and identifying that exposure to pets in the womb or up to three months after birth increases the abundance of two bacteria, Ruminococcus and Oscillospira, which have been linked with reduced childhood allergies and obesity, respectively. The numbers of the two bacteria were increased twofold when there was a pet in the house, meaning that the pet exposure was shown to affect the gut microbiome indirectly -from dog to mother to unborn baby -- during pregnancy as well as during the first three months of the baby's life. In other words, even if the dog had been given away for adoption just before the woman gave birth, the healthy microbiome exchange could still take place.

Sunflower seeds are sources of toxic mold and potent liver carcinogen.

Sunflower seeds traced as sources of toxic mold and potent liver carcinogen.Sunflower seeds are frequently contaminated with a toxin produced by molds and pose an increased health risk in many low-income countries worldwide, researchers at the Michigan State University have discovered. The study carried out in Tanzania and documented in PLoS ONE, the team of scientists documented frequent occurrence of aflatoxin -- a toxin produced by Aspergillus molds that commonly infect corn, peanuts, pistachios almonds and in sunflower seeds and their products. This is one of the first studies to associate aflatoxin contamination with sunflower seeds. Chronic exposure to aflatoxin causes an estimated 25,000-155,000 deaths worldwide each year, from corn and peanuts alone and it is one of the most potent liver carcinogens known. The aim of study was to detect and limit the presence of aflatoxin in sunflower seeds and their products could help save lives and reduce liver disease in areas where sunflowers and their byproducts are consumed. Smallholder farmers in Tanzania grow sunflowers for the seeds, which are sold to local millers who press the seeds for oil and sell it to local consumers for cooking. The remaining cakes are used as animal feed. When the seeds become infected by Aspergillus flavus or Aspergillus parasiticus, molds that produce aflatoxin, the feed spoilage caused by the growth of these undesirable molds will cause heating of feed. This thus reduces the energy, vitamins A, D3, E, K and thiamine available to the animal. These moldy feeds tend to be dusty reducing their palatability and causing respiratory distress in animals. Animals fed with moldy feed or in contact with heavily contaminated bedding are usually prone to abortions due to Mycotic placentitis. Infection by mold organisms that grow in the fetal membranes (mycotic placentitis) is a common cause of abortion in individual animals. The ingested mold localize in the cows’ intestinal tract and then spread to the placenta through the blood,and this condition is rampant during raining season.

Topical application of turmeric gel to treat burns and scalds.

In a recent research paper published in the open access journal BioDiscovery, researchers stress that use of topical curcumin gel for treating skin problems, like burns and scalds, is very different and appears to work more effectively, when compared to taking curcumin tablets by mouth for other conditions. Curcumin is an ingredient found in the common spice turmeric. Turmeric has been used as a spice for centuries in many Eastern countries and gives well known dishes. The turmeric gel appears to work much better when used on the skin because the gel preparation allows curcumin to penetrate the skin, inhibit phosphorylase kinase and reduce inflammation. The study shows that the use of curcumin after burns and scalds were found to reduce the severity of the injury, lessen pain and inflammation, and improve healing with less than expected scarring, or even no scarring, of the affected skin.

New antibiotic resistance gene found in milk.

New antibiotic resistance gene found in milk according to a new study by researchers in the University of Bern. A new antibiotic resistance gene has been found in bacteria from dairy cows. This gene confers resistance to all beta-lactam antibiotics including the last generation of cephalosporins used against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A transfer to S. aureus which is likely according to the researchers would jeopardize the use of reserve antibiotics to treat human infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospitals. Researchers of the Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology of the University of Bern have identified a new methicillin resistance gene in strains of M. caseolyticus isolated from milk. Macrococcus caseolyticus is a harmless bacterium naturally found on the skin of dairy cows which can spread to milk during the milking process. It can also be present in dairy products made from raw milk like e.g. cheese. The transfer of the gene to Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria found on the skin and mucosa of animals and humans, would have dramatic consequences for public health as experimental investigations of the "resistance island" showed that it also has the potential for integration into the chromosome of S. aureus. It is not impossible that this may happen in nature, since S. aureus and M. caseolyticus share the same habitats. This methicillin resistance gene would turn this bacteria into a hazardous methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which is known to cause difficult-to-treat infections in hospitals. M. caseolyticus containing the novel mecD gene has been so far mainly found in cattle but in one case it has been isolated from skin infection in a dog indicating that this bacteria has the potential to colonize different animal species.

Zika virus persists in the central nervous system and lymph nodes of rhesus monkeys.

The Zika virus persists in the central nervous system and lymph nodes of rhesus monkeys as the virus was seen in tissue weeks after it cleared from blood. A study published online in Cell,reveals that Zika virus can persist in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), lymph nodes and colorectal tissue of infected rhesus monkeys for weeks after the virus has been cleared from blood, urine and mucosal secretions. The researchers infected 20 rhesus monkeys with Zika virus and noted that although virus was cleared from peripheral blood within 7-10 days, it was detected in CSF for up to 42 days and in lymph nodes and colorectal tissue for up to 72 days. Immunologic data showed that the emergence of Zika virus-specific neutralizing antibodies correlated with the rapid control of the virus in plasma. However, Zika-specific antibodies were not detected in CSF, which could be why the virus remained there longer. These findings suggest that persistent virus in the central nervous system may contribute to the neurological issues associated with Zika virus infection in people.

Management of infectious bursal disease virus( IBDV) in broilers.

The management of infectious bursal disease virus( IBDV) in broilers for most farmer is to ensure a strict and vaccination regime for their breeders. The maternal immunity passed on to chicks will usually help protect them until they are 3 to 4 weeks of age. This projection of conferred immunity sometimes does not work out like planned due to certain factors; 1) Efficacy of some vaccines. 2) Vaccine failure or break. 3) Early infection of flock before 2 weeks of age leading to permanent immune suppression despite maternal immunity. When IBDV infection in broiler flocks occurs after 3 to 4 weeks of age , when maternal immunity has waned it can result in reduced feed efficiency, slowed growth rate and uneven size of flocks. This will also lead to temporary immune suppression with a higher risk of secondary infections, which often become more critical in antibiotic-free production. The prevention of the damaging effects of IBDV by farmers can be initiated by simulating active immunity in their flocks. Live, attenuated vaccines used in layers with high success rate can also help prevent IBDv in broilers. Farmers have turned to in-ovo vaccination at hatchery at day 1 to forestall any disease occurrence. The common vaccines are the recombinant herpesvirus of turkey HVT- IBDV and immune-complex (IC) vaccines. . The efficacy of HVT-IBDV vaccines has been demonstrated as these vaccines have been shown to induce protection against multiple IBDV strains with no risk of bursa damage. The key to effective use of HVT-IBDV is that it should be the only recombinant vaccine used in the flock to prevent interference. Combining recombinant HVT-IBDV vaccines with other recombinant HVT vaccines e.g for Newcastle disease or infectious laryngotracheitis is not recommended because viral interference can occur between the HVT viruses. In cases where an HVT recombinant vaccine is needed to manage either of the respiratory diseases, an alternative to the HVT-IBDV vaccine is recommended. The immune-complex vaccines (IC) contain a mixture of modified-live vaccine virus and anti-IBDV antibody. The antibodies in these products bind to the IBDV vaccine virus. These antibodies greatly reduces the ability of the vaccine virus to replicate early in the broiler’s life ,thus damage to the bursa and immune suppression are minimal and often undetected. This ability to act early in the of the broiler makes the IC-IBDV vaccines a safe alternatives to HVT-IBDV vaccines. Vaccinating with an IC-IBDV vaccine in the presence of maternal antibodies to IBDV seems counter intuitive or counter-productive but these vaccines have been shown to stimulate active immunity to IBDV, even when maternal antibody titers are relatively high.

The challenge of feeding diseased livestock.

The challenge of feeding diseased livestock is worthy of note because nutrient requirements for fighting disease are quite different from those required for productive purposes. The efforts exercised by researchers, nutritionists and veterinarians,to have a clear understanding of how to feed animals under disease stress is paying off in terms of different intervention techniques. Presently the aim is to prevent disease mostly through nutrition and by a mild veterinary intervention scheme that focuses on hygiene and soft medicinal solutions. Sick animals are treated with invasive medical methods and the nutrition of such animals remains unchanged as the same feed is offered to healthy or sick animals,this is where the problem lies. There is a need to establish clear nutritional guidelines for treating animals that are stressed because of disease both clinically and even sub clinically. Sick / diseased animals exhibit anorexia, or they simply don’t eat much or even at all, which is usually the most common sign if not the key pointer that something is wrong. The question now is what is anorexia and what is its role in disease management? Anorexia is a response exhibited by a diseased animals as they attempt to reduce the metabolic burden from feed and switches focus from productivity such as growth, eggs, milk, pregnancy and maintenance but towards fighting the disease. Anorexia is a method with which the animal tends to stem tide of infection or limit the activity of pathogens by boosting the immune system. The challenge of feeding diseased livestock is significant to animal health because of the role of anorexia in diseased animals or stressed animals. When an animal is off-feed or anorectic,reduction of nutrient ingestion limits the extent of pathogen proliferation especially in the case of gut bacteria. The pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract that hitherto had unlimited access to nutrients from feed, are starved limiting the rate of proliferation and if the digestive system is impaired as is often the case with gastrointestinal disorders,this is a double plus for the benefit of anorexia. The feed intake reserves more energy for immune system functions,and such energy is derived from body fat reserves.The prolonged dependence on these stores emaciates animals,though at the onset, it is actually beneficial for the animal to draw on reserves. When the animal is off feed glucagon production is enhanced and the immune system response is thus enhanced in turn creating an environment to rid body of pathogen. The challenge of feeding diseased livestock is that although anorexia is beneficial at onset of disease,prolonged anorexia results in profound emaciation from which recovery may be prolonged.Another challenge of feeding diseased livestock is that diseased animals require more nutrients than healthy animals,the twist is that force-feeding sick animals results in increased mortality and reduced survival time. The challenge of feeding diseased livestock now is that since the role of anorexia to curtail the infection is understood,and the danger of prolonged anorexia is also known then the time of intervention and type of intervention is the key to successful treatment.

Cassava as a global livestock feed ingredient.

Cassava known mostly for its starch-rich tubers is a plant that also offers many possibilities to provide other lesser-known feed ingredients for man and livestock. Cassava is a plant that is very tolerant to poor growing conditions as it can be cultivated in regions suffering from poor soil, droughts and even frequent plant diseases. 

Under such conditions, it yields about 13 metric tons of tubers per hectare. Of course, when grown in near-ideal (tropical) conditions, yield can reach up to 80 metric tons of tubers per hectare. Cassava is the second largest carbohydrate-rich crop worldwide, with over 9 million hectares of cultivated land devoted to cassava production in Africa and Asia. 

Global cassava cultivation expands to Asia, Latin America and Africa due to high demands from the human, feed, industrial starch and ethanol industries. Thailand is the largest exporting country for cassava products but surpassed by Nigeria and Brazil, two countries that use their local cassava internally. Nigeria has used cassava extensively as food for man,making different products such as garri,tapioca, cassava chips,starch and flour. 

Cassava has also made an entrance to livestock feed to boost productivity and reduce cost of production by using local feed. Cassava peels and cassava root meal have been explored in livestock with good results,see The cyanide content of the plant is the major reason why many farmers are skeptical about using it but processing reduces the cyanide content and also cyanide content varies with cassava specie making the inclusion in livestock feed safe .

There are two types of cyanogenic glucosides in cassava: linamarin and lotaustralin, the first making up to 93 percent of total. When animals eat the raw cassava tubers or leaves ,they consume the cyanogenic compounds thus releasing the cyanide which is highly toxic to animals causing asphyxia and death. Processing the cassava removes the cyanide thus emphasis is on proper processing, when the cassava peels are sun dried or oven dried, linamarase enzyme is released and this comes into contact with the cyanogenic glucosides and releases hydrogen cyanide (HCN), which is volatile and evaporates, and because sun drying takes longer time span than oven it releases more of cyanide which makes the peels safe. 

 The processing removes as much as 90% by this processing method.The raw cassava pulp contains as much as 200 mg/kg HCN, whereas these levels are reduced to 31 and 27 mg/kg, by oven-and sun-drying, respectively. The whole tuber contains as much 400 mg/kg HCN, with the peel containing as much as 800 mg/kg. 

The leaves are even richer in this compound, containing up to 1,500 mg/kg. There are several varieties of cassava, ranging from 75 to 1,000 mg/kg HCN, and factors such as soil conditions, fertilizer and weather also affect the concentration of HCN, so choosing the variety with the minimum cyanide content will be a factor to jump start the processing for safety. 

 Cassava leaves can also used as feed ingredient but must be dried and milled to create cassava leaf meal, a material rich in protein and fiber but low in energy. The inclusion in feed must be with extra caution because of the very high levels of HCN in raw leaves. 

 The high level of cyanide in leaves can be reduced by proper processing, timing of the harvest and appropriate variety selection. 10 metric tons dried cassava leaf meal can be produced per hectare, this is a significant by-product, suited especially as an animal feed.

Alternative vegetable protein sources for broilers.

Alternative vegetable protein sources for broilers. Soybean meal and dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) remain the primary source of protein for broilers. Soybean meal is the No. 1 source of protein for broilers worldwide, but its use is supplemented by locally available secondary sources such as DDGS ,rapeseed meal and sunflower meal . There are minor, local sources of protein that can offer the benefits of volume and low prices. When such opportunity arises, broiler producers are enticed to use these alternative, protein-rich ingredients, but results are often disappointing. The main reason is not as much quality, but rather lack of understanding of the limitations posed by each ingredient. These limitations arise from the concentration, which can be quite variable, of certain anti-nutritional factors that cause an almost toxic effect in the bird’s metabolism. Knowing these factors and their concentration can lead to very successful feed formulations using alternative protein sources and to very profitable production outcome. 1) Palm kernel meal The rapid growth of palm oil production in Asia, Australia, South America and Africa has led to tremendous quantities of palm kernel meal being available for all types of livestock. Not a protein-rich ingredient (less than 18 percent crude protein), palm kernel meal remains an interesting ingredient because it can contribute to significant cost savings. It is poor in lysine and methionine, with average digestibility values, but it contains sufficient energy to constitute a good part of the total dietary protein fraction. It is also relatively high in crude fiber (up to 20 percent). In many aspects, palm kernel meal can be compared to corn gluten feed. It is speculated that any adverse effects of palm kernel meal observed in broilers is due to its grittiness and overall physical quality aspects and not due to its nutrient profile. As such, high quality palm kernel meal can be used relatively freely, within constrains imposed by its limited nutrient profile, in broiler diets. 2) Cottonseed meal A by-product of the extraction of oil from cotton seeds, this protein source is not often available for broiler feed due to competition from ruminant feeds — something that increases its price. Cottonseed meal contains about 40 percent crude protein, of moderate digestibility, whereas the major anti-nutritional factor is gossypol. Broilers can withstand much higher levels of gossypol compared with layers, but the usually high fiber concentration (15 percent) in cottonseed meal will pose an upper limit in formulation. In regards to gossypol, it is possible to reduce the negative effects by neutralizing it through the addition of certain iron salts. Low- or no-gossypol cultivars are also available yielding meals that are tolerated well by broilers. A gradual introduction into feed formulas is recommended. 3) Corn gluten meal There is nothing really wrong with corn gluten meal, which is a by-product of the starch extraction process from corn kernels. It contains about 60 pecent crude protein, with digestibility values being comparable to that of corn. It also contains the majority of pigments from the kernel, and it leads to heavy pigmentation of the broiler skin — which can be a desirable or undesirable carcass trait according to market circumstances. continue

Researchers find Zika RNA in Brazilian A. albopictus mosquitoes.

Researchers find Zika RNA in Brazilian A. albopictus mosquitoes.Researchers detected fragments of Zika virus RNA — but not live virus — in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes collected in a Brazilian state hit hard by the recent Zika outbreak. A different mosquito, A. aegypti, has been the primary vector for Zika and the main driver of the recent outbreak in the Americas. In the United States, the range of A. albopictus is far greater than that of A. aegypti. This results mean that Aedes albopictus may have a role in Zika virus transmission and should be of concern to public health, this mosquito is found worldwide with a wide range of hosts and has adapted to colder climates. The role of this mosquito in Zika virus transmission needs to be assessed. more

Malaria hospitalizations in US more common.

Malaria hospitalizations in US more common than realized. A new study has shown that Malaria hospitalizations in the United States are more common than previously thought, possibly due to increased travel to regions where the disease is endemic. The study published in in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, suggests that as more infected travelers return to the U.S., clinicians must develop strategies to combat the potentially fatal disease. It appears more and more Americans are traveling to areas where malaria is common and many of them are not taking preventive measures, such as using anti-malarial preventive medications and mosquito repellents, even though they are very effective at preventing infections. The researchers searched hospital records in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for malaria-related hospitalizations from 2000 to 2014. They estimated that there were 22,029 malaria hospitalizations in the U.S., with an average of 1,469 cases per year, during that period. Men accounted for about 60% of patients with malaria. Blacks made up 52.5% of patients, whites 24%, Hispanics 6.3%, Asians and Pacific Islanders 5.9% and Native Americans 0.9%. The disease-causing species was known in 52.9% of cases. Plasmodium falciparum — which is known to cause a strong majority of severe and fatal cases — accounted for 72.9% of those. An estimated 4,823 (22%) cases were deemed severe malaria. The most common complication was renal failure (9.6%), followed by severe anemia (7.2%), cerebral malaria (4.3%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (4.1%) and jaundice (3.7%). One hundred eighty-two (0.8%) patients died in the hospital. more

Managing mental health and well-being of farmers .

Mental health and well-being of farmers . The general well-being of farmers and farmhand affect productivity directly or indirectly and this must be addressed to boost productivity and ensure adequate health care for farmers. 

 Farmers, farm family members, farmer representatives, safety professionals and people working on farms or living around farms all have a role to play in the health and safety as a poor mental health affects a person’s ability to cope with and manage their lives, particularly during personal change and life challenges. 

 People living and working in farms and agricultural premises in remote areas are more likely to suffer higher levels of loneliness and social exclusion more so than their urban counterparts. Farmers are under a lot of pressure, especially with high cost of feed and production generally and the state of the nation putting many under severe stress resulting in ill health and reduced production capacity. Farmers are under pressure because of financial threat as many sourced loans from banks, many are not insured and very many are operating below capacity . 

Farmers are also stressed because of lack of social support, anxiety and work stress as every farmer in a group are trying to stay afloat leaving little or no room for empathy or emotional intelligence. Farmers are also anxious especially when it comes to their crops or animals,thinking about pest invasion,sudden death or other unforeseen disasters,leading to unnecessary worry cycle that can kill the farmer,collapse the farm or lead to depression. 

Health and safety on farms are an aspect of safety codes on site,but now farmers health and wellbeing should be part of safety code to help farmers strike a balance and lead peaceful lives . 

 Seminars on mental health and well-being of farmers will help keep farmers and farms running for a long time and ensure food security.

How to avoid pitfalls when reseeding.

How to avoid pitfalls when reseeding.Reseeding is expensive, but when done correctly it can pay for itself in two years – which is a very quick return on investment.Germinal’s Dr. Mary McEvoy highlights some of the most common pitfalls to avoid when reseeding. Avoiding these will give a much better chance of successful establishment of a high-performing sward for years to come. 1)Poor Kill Of Old Sward :Desiccation or killing off of the old sward is an essential first step when reseeding and the only opportunity you will have to control grass weeds in the sward. It also presents an ideal opportunity to destroy difficult weeds such as docks, thistles and other grass weeds. Using the top rate of glyphosate, as per the product label, and a high water volume is essential to achieve successful dessication of the old sward. About seven-to-10 days after spraying the sward should be grazed/cut tightly to minimize the surface trash. Allow the product adequate time to work. For min-till operations, the recommendation would be 16-to-20 days from spraying to cultivation. This will ensure the herbicide has adequate time to translocate to the roots and kill the plant in its entirety. 2) Poor Seedbed Preparation; Cloudy Seedbed A cloudy seedbed occurs as a result of cultivating too soon after spraying the old sward. Therefore, allowing adequate time for the herbicide to kill the roots is essential to ensure the roots are destroyed – and will avoid clods in the seedbed. For min-till, as explained above, this can take 16-20 days. continue

Funding opportunities for agricultural projects.

Funding opportunities for agricultural projects. International Tropical Timber Organization — Freezailah Fellowships 2017. ITTO makes grants through the Freezailah Fellowship Fund for training opportunities, demonstration tours, participation in conferences and workshops, preparation of technical papers, and post-graduate degrees. Grants up to US$10 thousand are in support of sustainable tropical forest management. Applicants are young and mid-career professionals in ITTO’s member countries; most grants are to individuals in the developing countries. The next application deadline is 20 June 2017. Apply New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre — Postdoctoral Fellowship in Livestock Emissions Research Deadline: 30 Jun 2017 The government of New Zealand sponsors LEARN as a program to build international capability in livestock emissions research. The government of New Zealand sponsors LEARN as a program to build international capability in livestock emissions research. LEARN currently invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships of one to two years from technical staff and scientists in developing countries who will work with New Zealand colleagues Applicants need the collaborative support of a New Zealand host organization, which will administer the funds. Expressions of interest (EOI) can be submitted at any time during the year, and full applications must be submitted by 30 June. apply U.S. Department of State — ADAPT Africa. The ADAPT-Africa project aims to increase actions needed at national- and subnational levels in African countries to attract investment that builds resilience to climate change. Interested organizations are expected to propose activities according to their organization’s strengths and experience. The relevant countries are Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. Eligibility for funding extends to U.S. non-profit NGOs and for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations in other countries, educational institutions, and public international organizations. The closing date is 22 May 2017 more

Agronomics: Crowdfunding

Agronomics: Crowdfunding. Thinking of starting an agribusiness? think outside the bank, crowdfunding is the new seed capital,consider the resources on your computer before running to a local lender or cutting into your savings or resorting to bank loans. Crowdfunding sites grant access to a world of potential investors willing to fork over capital in hopes of future rewards, such as bottles of honey, discounted CSA shares, or behind-the-scenes farm tours. While launching a campaign is free, most sites take 4 to 9 percent of the total amount raised and charge credit card processing fees. Find the right platform. Kickstarter.com provides the most reach with 900,000 daily unique visitors —and the highest likelihood that your page will get lost in the crowd. The ag-specific barnraiser.us has a relatively meager 900 daily visitors, but all are interested in supporting growers, artisan food producers, and the like. In fact, campaigns on the site reach their goals at twice the rate of those on other platforms. Nurture your network. No matter which site you choose, it’s unwise to assume that strangers will stumble across your page. The vast majority of online backers know the person they’re supporting. In 2015, Colin McCrate, founder of the Seattle Urban Farm Company, secured $30,000 on Barnraiser to construct four new greenhouses. “Most of the people who donated were already in our community,” he says, “so I wish I’d spent more time on the front end, building that up. We might have been able to raise even more.” Focus on your customer base, growing e-mail lists and your social media presence. continue

AFAN Wants Tractors, Other Implements For Hire.

AFAN Wants Tractors, Other Implements For Hire. The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Edo chapter, has called on the state government to provide tractors, bulldozers, graders and other farm implements for farmers in the state to hire. The state Chairman of AFAN, Chief Emmanuel Odigie, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Benin. Odigie said the association was willing to pay an agreed amount to the state government on a monthly basis for the use of the equipment if provided. He said “the idea is to enable our members to hire them at affordable rates to prepare farmlands and construct roads leading to the farms.“Our investigation revealed that farm produce waste away in the farms due to inaccessible and deplorable state of our farm roads. “If the roads were graded, farmers would evacuate their produce and avoid the waste,” he said. continue

Federal Government Creates Agro Rangers Corps to Protect Farms.

The Federal Government creates Agro rangers corps to protect farms. The federal government has begun the training of 3,000 personnel under its Agro Rangers programme designed to protect farmers and their investments from attacks by criminals, especially kidnappers. The Agro Rangers unit, an initiative of the minister of agriculture and rural development, Audu Ogbe and his interior counterpart, Abdurahman Dambazau, is a unit under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The strategy is expected to forestall attacks on farms and boost farmers’ confidence to work on their farms without fear of attack, thereby guaranteeing the federal government’s avowed food security plans. Nigeria has witnessed an escalation of deadly clashes between farmers and herdsmen in parts of Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna, among others, in the last three years. The attacks resulted in loss of lives and farm investments worth billions of naira, thus threatening the country’s drive towards food security. This is in addition to rising cases of cattle rustling and kidnapping. The establishment of the Agro Rangers unit followed the recommendations of a committee headed by the director, Joint Services, in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Noah Auta, which was inaugurated mid-2016, to deliberate on the operational modalities of the special unit and submit recommendations.continue

How to use turmeric to treat urinary tract infection(UTI).

Urinary tract infection can be caused by fungi, viruses or bacteria, with bacteria being the most common cause. Most UTIs are caused by the bacteria present in the bowel, such as E. coli while Some other bacteria like, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma can be sexually transmitted and cause infection in urethra or reproductive organs. Women are more prone to UTI than men because of anatomical structure of reproductive organ, as microbes can reach easily into the urinary tract of women. The common symptoms of UTI are frequent urge to urinate, burning sensation in the bladder or urethra during urination, small amount of urine, abdominal pain, fever, foul smell and dark colour of the urine. UTI is not very serious but if the infection reaches kidneys it could be detrimental leading to kidney damage, high blood pressure etc and sometimes may even be life-threatening.The risk of UTI increases in case of any abnormality related with urinary tract such as kidney stones , diabetes and the use of certain birth control also elevates the risk. The use of catheters or tubes inserted into bladder for urine removal also predispose to microbial growth and also lead to infection. The treatment of UTI is done through antibiotics and antimicrobials. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of infection.This is accompanied by drinking plenty of water, changing urination habits and proper hygiene to avoid re-infection. Turmeric is a natural alternative to antibiotics for UTI treatment.Turmeric is known for a number of medicinal properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune-stimulatory and It has significant anti-viral and anti-fungal activity. Consumption of turmeric can prevent the growth of the pathogens in the urinary tract. The antimicrobial activity of turmeric is capable of restricting the growth of a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria, virus and fungi. Urinary tract infection often causes inflammation in kidney or bladder which further leads to pain. Cystitis which is inflammation of bladder is one of the common pro inflammatory responses in this infection. Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, and it suppresses the pro-inflammatory responses by interfering with many metabolic pathways related to these responses. Recurrence of UTI is common in patients as high as 25% among the infected individuals. The cause of the relapse may be predominance of virulence factor genes, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, multi-drug resistant strains etc. Turmeric is also capable of preventing recurrence of the UTIs. In a recent study, curcumin was found to be effective in preventing the relapse of UTI in postmenopausal women, when used with other therapies. It also reduced the symptoms of the infection.

7 things that make mosquitoes bite you more.

7 things that make mosquitoes bite you more. Mosquitoes choose their prey based on a bunch of factors, but the good news is some things that might make you attractive to them can actually be changed. Scientific research has found evidence supporting several factors that encourage mosquitoes to seek their prey out.These studies often involve different kinds of mosquitoes, however, so the things that attract them to you may vary depending on which species are nearby. Mosquitoes are known to transmit deadly diseases like Zika, malaria, yellow fever, dengue, Chikungunya, and West Nile virus. So even though the things that attract the bugs aren't fully understood, it's wise to try to reduce your allure as much as you can. The info graphics below gives a pointer to what makes mosquitoes choose their prey; 7 things that make mosquitoes bite you more:source.

Developmental Association for Renewable Energy in Nigeria (DARE) launches solar dryer to cut post harvest losses.

Developmental Association for Renewable Energy in Nigeria (DARE) launches solar dryer to cut post harvest losses. Developmental Association for Renewable Energy in Nigeria (DARE), has inaugurated a solar powered dryer panel to overcome post-harvest losses. The panel was inaugurated at Sabongarin Ba’awa in Makarfi Local Government, Kaduna State. Yahaya Ahmed , the Director of the group, said the move was to support local farmers with new scientific techniques and technology to reduce farm produce losses continue

AFDB approves $280m to support Nigerian youths in agriculture.

AFDB approves $280m to support Nigerian youths in agriculture.The President of the African Development Bank (AFDB), Akinwumi Adesina, says the $280 million approved by the bank would be used to encourage Nigerian youths to go into agro-business. Adesina, represented by Chiji Ojukwu, a Director in AFDB, stated this on Tuesday in Ibadan at the African Youth Agripreneurs (AYA) Forum organised by continue

How a startup went from building servers out of wood to a $20 million business .

How a startup went from building servers out of wood to a $20 million business. Over the last 10 years, Silicon Valley startup Backblaze has quietly established itself as a useful and popular service, letting you back up your entire PC or Mac to the cloud for $5 per computer per month. Backblaze CEO Gleb Budman revealed to Business Insider that the company just closed a $5 million sales quarter, putting it on track for a $20 million annualized run rate (ARR), the amount of money that Backblaze projects it will bring in this year if its current rate of business continues. It's a far cry from the company's modest start, where its self-funded beginnings meant that they built their first storage servers out of wood (seriously). Now, with about 50 employees, including all five founders, Backblaze has gone from nothing to sustainable business, in an industry where profitability is not taken for granted. How a startup went from building servers out of wood to a $20 million business,more

These brothers just sold their company to Oracle for $850 million.

These brothers just sold their company to Oracle for $850 million.Oracle's purchase of Moat gives it access to a pair of well-connected brothers, Jonah and Noah Goodhart, who are involved with dozens of other startups. New York is still abuzz that an ad-tech company called Moat sold itself to Oracle. Terms of the deal were undisclosed but an unnamed source told Recode's Peter Kafka that Oracle would pay upwards of $850 million for Moat. Moat is widely considered one of the hottest ad-tech startups, and based on the reported $850 million price tag, Oracle is paying handsomely. The company raised $68 million since it was founded in 2010 and was valued at $434 million continue

Stray puppy that got its head stuck in a wall is released with coconut oil.

Stray puppy that got its head stuck in a wall is released with coconut oil.Stray puppy that got its head stuck in a wall is released with COCONUT OIL in an hour long rescue. A stray puppy that got its head stuck while trying to pass through a narrow hole in a wall was rescued after an hour-long operation at a university campus in Hyderabad, India. The five-month-old pup was heard wailing with its head stuck in the wall of the School of Life Sciences building at the University of Hyderabad. Watch here

VETERINARY MEDICINE: How to clean cat ears with coconut oil.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: How to clean cat ears with coconut oil. Coconut oil is used as an ointment and ear cleaner in dogs and cats. Its easy to swab on cotton balls and clean your pets ears. The supplies needed to clean the ears are ; 1) cotton balls/ buds. 2) coconut oil 3)mild restraint/assistant. VETERINARY MEDICINE: How to clean cat ears with coconut oil. Coconut oil can be used internally, externally and for wounds,cut,stings and dry coat. See more

VETERINARY MEDICINE : Uses of coconut oil in dogs.

VETERINARY MEDICINE : Uses of coconut oil in dogs. The coconut, also known as the “tree of life”, has been found to have many uses not only for humans, but for our dogs as well.Many diseases and ailments, like yeast infections, smelly coats, dry coats and even cracked paws, can all be cured with just coconut oil. The Lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid in coconut oil prevents bacterial and viral infections . VETERINARY MEDICINE : Uses of coconut oil in dogs. The uses of coconut oil in dogs are enormous but below are some points,the added advantage of coconut oil is that it can be used as food or as medicine.Read how to use coconut oil in dog's food, see Coconut oil reduces cancer risks in dogs and a new study also suggests cancer treatment with coconut oil. It improves the digestion of your dog and becomes medicine for most digestive upsets. The thyroid function is also kept normal with coconut oil. It can give your dog a smooth glossy shiny coat, as well as healthy, supple skin. Dogs with dandruff also benefit from coconut oil as it clears out the dead cells. VETERINARY MEDICINE : Uses of coconut oil in dogs. Yeast and fungal infections can be treated and prevented by using coconut oil. Old dogs with arthritis and similar pains enjoy joint health when coconut oil is added to their diet. Coconut can be added to meals of obese or overweight dogs to aid fat loss and control weight. Wounds also heal faster with coconut oil, it also deodorize the dog’s skin. Coconut oil can kill internal and external parasites making it a cheap and readily available medicine for dog health.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: How to clean your dog's ears.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: How to clean your dog's ears. Cleaning your dog’s ears is not as easy as it looks especially if you are a newbie. This is because dog ears are very sensitive spots and dogs tend to either move or get anxious. The use of adequate ear cleaner for dogs is what will save money and endless trips to your vet. VETERINARY MEDICINE: How to clean your dog's ears. Why do we clean dog's ears? basically to keep canal,ear flaps clean dry and parasite free. When dog's ears are moist they predispose to growth of yeast cells which will set off a ear canal infection that is usually itchy,waxy and crusty. Ears are cleaned routinely for ear health but also in cases of infection,allergy, and wound care. VETERINARY MEDICINE: How to clean your dog's ears. Method of cleaning ears; 1) Let the dog sit down or lie with head raised. A gentle restraint will be necessary if dog is new to routine cleaning as dogs can start moving which makes the whole process delicate and so calming the dog before starting anything is very important. 2) Apply the dog ear cleaner using the exact quantity of the product. Pull the dog’s ear flap up and apply the drops then straighten the ear canal and allow the runoff. 3) Massage the ear canal for two minutes using a circular massaging movement will help with breaking down excess ear wax in all areas of the ear, the vertical and horizontal canals, as well as near the ear drum. 4) Release the dog: when proper massage of dog’s ear is complete, the ear wax will dissolve and this is the time for the liquid to flow out. The best solution is to release the dog so head shaking by the dog will allow outflow of cleaner. 5) Use cotton balls to wipe the ear clean :clean the outer ear as well as the vertical canal properly especially if you notice a lot of debris remaining. Common homemade ear cleaners are 1) baby swipes. 2) vinegar and water mixture 3)hydrogen peroxide 4) coconut oil. Learn how to clean your dog's ears;

Engineer turns millionaire farmer.

Vasant Rao Kale from Medhpar village of Bilaspur district, Chattisgarh, was a government employee all his life. When he retired from his job, he wanted to pursue his long-loved passion, which was farming. However the usual challenges faced by a farmer were quite enough to make him apprehensive. In 2013, Sachin left his luxurious life in Gurgaon, where he was working as a manager for Punj Lloyd, getting a hefty salary of 24 lakh per annum, and shifted to Medhpar to become a farmer. Sachin invested his entire provident fund of 15 years and decided that he would go back to the corporate life if he’s unsuccessful as he had a family that was dependent on him. Sachin hard work, determination and skills paid off — he set up a model where his farm was useful all year round and gave maximum profit.continue

Social-media-is-key-to-rebranding-egg-farming.

Social-media-is-key-to-rebranding-egg-farming.Egg farming needs a new brand, and social media is the place to promote it, according to Hinda Mitchell of Inspire PR Group.Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat and LinkedIn are the most important social media networks for companies to use because of their popularity and the level of engagement available on them. Mitchell said consumers and industry allies are using social networks, but so are those opposed to farming, as well as elected officials and regulators, so it is important for egg companies to have a digital presence. Rebranding egg farming starts with mobilizing the brand of each individual egg farmer, “What are your brand attributes? What makes you unique? What benefit do you deliver that no one else does? How do you connect what matters to you to what matters to your customer?” Continue

A strategic global look at avian influenza.

A strategic global look at avian influenza. Join a group of panelists from around the globe as they discuss steps to better position the industry to deal with the ongoing challenge of avian influenza. The webinar is free,sign up here

Layer keel bone fractures can result from perch collisions.

Layer keel bone fractures can result from perch collisions.A new research study shows the majority of keel bone damage originates from collisions with perches inside the layer house. Dr. Maja Makagon, assistant professor of applied animal behavior at University of California, Davis’ Department of Animal Science, discussed the results of a study conducted to analyze keel bone damage in a layer environment. Makagon, who spoke as part of the Egg Industry Center Egg Industry Issues Forum in Columbus, Ohio, said the study utilized accelerometers and 3D imaging technology to study the force of the collisions and measure their effects on the keel bone. The keel is an extension of the sternum that provides an anchor for the bird’s wing muscles and provides leverage for flight. As laying hens are being removed from a conventional cage environment, Makagon said, keel integrity is increasingly seen as an indicator of animal welfare. Damaged keels are associated with increased mortality, reduced egg production and egg quality, and keel damage is likely associated with pain for the animal. continue

Companies are going to spend almost $5 trillion on the IoT in the next five years.

Companies are going to spend almost $5 trillion on the IoT in the next five years.The Internet of Things (IoT) is disrupting businesses, governments, and consumers and transforming how they interact with the world. Companies are going to spend almost $5 trillion on the IoT in the next five years — and the proliferation of connected devices and massive increase in data has started an analytical revolution. To gain insight into this emerging trend, BI Intelligence conducted an exclusive Global IoT Executive Survey on the impact of the IoT on companies around the world. The study included over 500 respondents from a wide array of industries, including manufacturing, technology, and finance, with significant numbers of C-suite and director-level respondents. Through this exclusive study and in-depth research into the field, BI Intelligence details the components that make up IoT ecosystem. The Ultimate Internet of Things Report Bundle, read

Women Urged To Plant Vegetables For Local Consumption.

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has advised women to plant enough vegetables for local consumption so as to discourage its importation from countries like South Africa. Akeredolu gave the advice in Akure on Thursday when he received members of FADAMA III Additional Financing project, led by Mr Tayo Adewumi, National Project Coordinator. He said that initiating viable vegetable projects for women could be a channel for creating veritable means of livelihoods for many families in the country. He commended the Federal Government for introducing FADAMA, which he described as useful in facilitating the efforts of the rural dwellers to earn a living through agriculture. The programme is to encourage youths between the ages of 18 years and 35 years to go into agriculture as a profession and business.The idea is to take youths away from the streets into farming; a lot of social vices and youth restiveness in the country today will be a thing of the past. source

IITA and CFIL to engage youths in agriculture with reality television show.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Corporate Farmers International (CFIL) on Thursday held a strategic meeting on ways of engaging youths to participate in agriculture through entertainment. Dr Kenton Dashell, IITA Deputy Director-General of Partnerships for Delivery, said that the youth had a negative perception of agriculture; hence the need to create a reality television show to engage them. This partnership will be a win-win situation for both IITA and Corporate Farmers. Dashell noted that this reality television programme would entertain the youth and get them to make millions doing what they should do to improve the economic status of the country. read IITA and CFIL to engage youths in agriculture with reality television show,more

Using real-time satellite data to track water productivity in agriculture.

How to use real-time satellite data to track water productivity in agriculture.Measuring how efficiently water is used in agriculture, particularly in water-scarce countries, is going high-tech with the help of a new tool developed by FAO. The WaPOR open-access database has gone live, tapping satellite data to help farmers achieve more reliable agricultural yields and allowing for the optimization of irrigation systems. WaPOR was presented this week during a high-level partners meeting for FAO's Coping with water scarcity in agriculture: a global framework for action in a changing climate. It allows for fine-grained analysis of water utilised through farming systems, generating empirical evidence about how it can be most productively used. Worldwide water utilization - the majority of which is used by agriculture - has outpaced the rate of population growth for most of the last century and some regions are close to breaching viable limits. WaPOR sifts through satellite data and uses Google Earth computing power to produce maps that show how much biomass and yield is produced per cubic meter of water consumed. The maps can be rendered at resolutions of as little as 30 to 250 meters, and updated every one to ten days.continue

How to turn waste plastics to fuel.

How to turn waste plastics to fuel. Plastic waste littering the world's oceans can be transformed from worthless trash into a valuable diesel fuel with a small mobile reactor. This technology could be implemented globally on land and possibly placed on boats to convert ocean waste plastic into fuel to power the vessels. The study shows how pyrolysis technologies can be used to break down or depolymerize unwanted polymers, such as plastic wastes, leaving a hydrocarbon-based fuel.

The production attributes that are most important to consumers when buying beef, chicken.

The production attributes that are most important to consumers when buying beef, chicken. Consumers are increasingly interested in how their food is produced and look for claims such as no growth hormones, no GMOs, etc. on food products. In a new study, no growth hormones was prioritized as most important and organic as the least important. For products like poultry, the USDA forbids the use of hormones, meaning consumers may not be well informed about production claims. For many consumers, buying a gallon of milk is much more complex than finding the preferred fat content and expiration date. They want to know how the cows were treated, what they were fed, whether they received growth hormones or antibiotics, whether the milk is organic, e.t.c. A recent University of Illinois study ranks which of these production attributes are most important to buyers for four different products: beef, chicken, milk, and eggs.The study determined the importance of seven specific on-farm practices in consumers' purchasing decisions:1) Animals were not administered growth hormones. 2) Genetically modified organisms were not used in the production of this product (non-GMO). 3)Animals were humanely raised. 4)Animals were not administered antibiotics. 5)Animals were raised in a free-range (or cage-free) environment. 6)Animals were grass-fed (or raised on a vegetarian diet). 7) The product is certified organic. The biggest surprise in the study is that 'no growth hormones' is the number one concern consumers have across the board on all of these products.The presence of such labeling claims can determine the sales of one product over another identical product. Labels also provide a way for consumers to express their opinions by voting with their dollars. They can purchase products labeled with concerns that are important to them.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.Bringing Mario Kart to the Switch feels like an easy win for Nintendo’s fledgling machine. It isn’t exactly a new game – it’s Mario Kart 8, with a few extras – but that doesn’t really matter, for three main reasons: the ability to play in portable mode opens up whole new contexts, not that many people owned a Wii U anyway, and Mario Kart 8 is still an absolutely fantastic racing game. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,more

Avocado’s nutrient arsenal a mighty weapon against metabolic syndrome

Avocado’s nutrient arsenal a mighty weapon against metabolic syndrome: The nutritional composition of the avocado is potent enough to positively affect the metabolic changes seen in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Dubai enlists Nutricia for grassroots infant healthy-eating initiative

Dubai enlists Nutricia for grassroots infant healthy-eating initiative: Dubai health officials have called on Danone’s infant nutrition brand to support its drive to persuade parents to adopt health eating habits for their toddlers.

Magnesium may promote bone health and prevent fractures: Study

Magnesium may promote bone health and prevent fractures: Study: Healthy levels of magnesium in the body might decrease the risk of bone fractures, according to results of a study from the Universities of Bristol and Eastern Finland.

Study finds drugs in milking parlor water samples

Study finds drugs in milking parlor water samples: A Spanish study to monitor the presence of 19 active drugs in water samples collected from milking parlors of dairy farms located in Galicia (northwest Spain), discovered 65% of the samples tested positive for at least one of the compounds analyzed.

Antibiotic resistance will hit a terrible tipping point in 2017.

Antibiotic resistance will hit a terrible tipping point in 2017 according to New Scientist, as a major menace looms over us. In 2017, many more people could begin dying from common bacterial infections. as resistance to antibiotics booms, diseases from gonorrhoea to urinary tract infections are becoming untreatable – a situation that looks set to get worse as the world reaches a new tipping point. We are about to reach the point where more antibiotics will be consumed by farm animals worldwide than by humans according to Mark Woolhouse, at the University of Edinburgh, UK. This will mean more resistant bacteria, which could be a big threat. The livestock industry has long played down any risk to human health caused by using antibiotics in farming, but the danger is now accepted, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Colistin, a drug that is used more often in animals than people, is one example. It is now the only antibiotic left that works against some human infections, yet colistin resistance has developed, and spread worldwide in 2015. The European Medicines Agency says bacteria resistant to colistin probably arose in livestock, and that some EU countries could easily cut their use of this antibiotic 25-fold. Antibiotic resistance will hit a terrible tipping point in 2017,what to do

Flies, birds implicated in antibiotic resistant bacteria spread.

Flies, birds implicated in antibiotic resistant bacteria spread as new study has shown role of flies in spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.The study result shows that flies' ability to contaminate the environment has led to immense public health concerns In one study, the researchers found that 1% of hospital patients in two large cities in China were carrying colistin-resistant bacteria, despite the antibiotic not being used in human medicine.According to New Scientist, China has reserved colistin for veterinary use, with some 8,000 metric tons used each year, primarily in pig and poultry production. A ban on its use in the livestock industry will be enforced in China this month and colistin will begin to be used to treat people instead. The research team from Cardiff University, UK, has also been looking at resistant bacteria beyond the confines of hospitals. They found a quarter of E. coli bacteria sampled from chicken farms and from meat in grocery outlets was resistant to colistin, while a third was resistant to carbapenem. They also found high rates of bacteria with colistin- and carbapenam-resistant genes in dog feces on chicken farms and on flies at these farms, indicating that resistant bacteria have colonized beyond the farmed birds. The Cardiff team argues that flies’ ability to contaminate the environment has immense public health concerns and that fly transmission may be why hospital patients living far away from farms were not less likely to have a resistant infection during the summer than those living nearby. Wild birds, long associated with the spread of viral disease, may also be responsible for transmission.Resistant bacteria were also found in feces from swallows on farms in China, raising fears that they will carry these bacteria as they migrate, and potentially spreading resistance much further afield.

Implications of Litter Management in an Antibiotic Free Program.

Implications of Litter Management in an Antibiotic Free Program. The increasing number of antibiotic free (ABF) broiler facilities, there are a lot of opinions about how to be successful. While there are varying opinions about products that can take the place of antibiotics for improved health and growth promotion, much of the industry is in agreement that without antibiotics the role of house management becomes more crucial for success. While growers have been conventionally taught to manage a house from the ceiling down, the removal of antibiotics demands houses be managed from the floor up. It is largely litter condition during a chick’s first seven days of life that impacts health and performance by dictating the type of bacteria that develop in the gut which can greatly influence intestinal flora and the passage of maternal antibodies. Litter management for antibiotic free program has three basic stages: 1) during clean out.2) before placement. 3) during grow-out. While some say it’s best to entirely clean out litter between flocks, the cost, environmental impact and availability of replacement bedding material make that difficult at times. Not to mention that there are some advantages to growing birds on built up litter, such as the ability to better manage cocci load and introduce beneficial bacteria to the gut. If litter has been completely cleaned out, pad acidification will play a crucial role for antibiotic free operations . Pad Acidification Following Clean Out It’s important to understand, the longer birds have been raised in the house, the more ammonia is absorbed into the pad. As the ammonia content of the dirt pad goes up, so does the pH. As the pH shifts to levels above 7.5-8.0, the type of bacteria and other microbes that make up the typical flora of the dirt pad begins to shift into ones that aren’t good for poultry. Implications of Litter Management in an Antibiotic Free Program,continue

New York opts for birth control bait for rats.

Rodents are one of the least savory sights in America's largest city, spotted scurrying in and out of subway tracks or under the cover of darkness, darting around trash bags dumped on the street for collection. In 2015, the city invested nearly $3 million on rat control after receiving a record 24,000-plus complaints amid alarm bells that the city was losing the rat war. Officials are now preparing to launch a trial of a liquid bait which Arizona-based company SenesTech says makes rats infertile, but is otherwise non-toxic and does not damage the environment. City officials say there is no scientifically accurate way to count the rats of New York. SenesTech says four pairs of breeding adult rats and their progeny can produce up to 15 million rats in one year. New York opts for birth control bait for rats,read

Smart bandages.

An innovative new bandage from researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, which used electrical currents to detect tissue damage before it is visible to the human eye. The researchers documented their work in a paper that was published in Nature Communications. They created a type of bandage that could detect bedsores as they are forming, before the damage reaches the surface of the skin. The product, which was documented in the paper published, turns bright green when the gel like material within the dressing detects bacteria.The bandages developed by the Welsh team utilize 5G technology to monitor what’s happening in the wound, whilst also tracking the activity levels of the wearer. more

UK doctor failed to diagnose appendicitis — and 18-year-old Kika died.

UK doctor failed to diagnose appendicitis — and 18-year-old Kika died.An 18-year-old law undergraduate has died of complications from appendicitis — after her UK doctor failed to diagnose the ailment in three months. When the ailment was diagnosed on her return to Nigeria, she needed an emergency operation — but the hospital did not have life support and she died in the process, according to her parents. "Kikaose had been complaining of lower abdominal pain since October last year and had been visiting a GP in Birmingham, UK, where her school is located,” the parents said in the obituary announcement. “The GP failed to diagnose the ailment correctly despite several visits in many months. Instead of conducting a scan to identify her ailment, they gave her minor pain killers whenever she visited the surgery (clinic) ". UK doctor failed to diagnose appendicitis, read

Man gets sight back after bizarre tooth in eye procedure.

Man gets sight back after bizarre tooth in eye procedure.A blind man who had his sight restored earlier this year in an incredible procedure using one of his own teeth said the best part was being able to see his wife again. The surgery was carried out with the help of oral and maxillofacial specialist, Dr Shannon Webber and oculoplastic surgeon, Dr Greg Moloney, Mr Ings is now able to get around easily - and gaze at his wife Berry as much as he likes. The surgery took place in four parts - and days after the final procedure his bandages were opened to test his vision.The amazing procedure saw a lens inserted into one of his teeth, which was extracted and then placed into his cheek so tissue would grow around it, enabling its own blood supply. After three months surgeons removed the tooth and inserted it into Mr Ings' old cornea. Skin was then removed from his mouth and placed over the new cornea to seal it. An opening was made to allow the new lens to work. It was the first time the surgery, called osteo-odonto kerato-prosthesis, has been performed in Australia. Man gets sight back after bizarre tooth in eye procedure,see

Married Couple Struggling to Conceive Discover They're Twins.

Married Couple Struggling to Conceive Discover They're Twins.A married couple in the US shockingly discovered that they were biological twins after getting a routine DNA test done at an IVF clinic because they were struggling to conceive naturally. The couple, who met in college, had attended the clinic in Mississippi in the hope that it would help them have their own child. A doctor at the clinic in Jackson, Mississippi, revealed the astonishing events and explained how the situation had come about. "It's just a routine thing and we wouldn't normally check to see if there was a relationship between the two samples, but in this case the lab assistant involved was shocked by the similarity of each profile more

Massive chicken egg cracked open to reveal another egg inside.

Massive chicken egg cracked open to reveal another egg inside.A giant chicken egg that made national news has been cracked open to reveal another perfectly formed, normal-sized egg inside. The 180-gram egg — which is heavier than a Major League baseball — was discovered by Echo Bay, Ont., hobby farmer Dennis Goslow last month. His hen managed to lay an egg more than three times the size of an average large chicken egg. The egg was transported to a nearby veterinary clinic where an X-ray revealed a second perfectly formed egg inside.After the X-ray, Goslow did the honours of cracking open the egg to reveal the second one hiding inside. continue

US meat business to grow human organs from pigs

US meat business to grow human organs from pigs: Smithfield Foods has set up a bioscience unit to supply pork by-product to the medical sector, with the ultimate goal of selling pig organs for human transplantation.

Russia battles diverse livestock diseases

Russia battles diverse livestock diseases: Russia is facing numerous biosecurity problems, as African swine fever (ASF) challenges the pig industry, poultry farmers battle bird flu, the first outbreaks of nodular dermatitis hit cattle farmers, and venison breeders combat anthrax.

Biotechnology will aid sustainable agricultural production in Nigeria.

Biotechnology will aid sustainable agricultural production in Nigeria. 

Benjamin Ubi, the President, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), says the adoption of biotechnology will facilitate sustainable agricultural production in the country. The benefits of biotechnology in agriculture cannot be over emphasized as the task of feeding the estimated 9 billion people by 2050 will require innovative strategies and techniques. 

Biotechnology in animal husbandry and agriculture will boost food production and sustainability. Food security can be achieved on a global scale if production processes are subjected to improved stock using genetically proven animals. The way to harness the advantages in using genetically proven lines include; selective breeding,rearing and cross breeding to develop strains/lines that can produce more in the desired country. The use of biotechnology in food security cannot be overemphasized as the introduction of biotech to food production is of immense benefits. 

Biotechnology.

The springing up of bio crops allows farming even in areas where there is much pressure on the land,thus availing the urban farmer an opportunity to participate in food security. Biotechnology making better crops and livestock by careful selection of traits to increase yield,produce disease and pest resistance and drought resistance products. 

This entails a collection of specific technique to improve plant and animals. Bio technology enhances breeders ability to make improvement in crops and livestock,this is achieved through various techniques used to improve plants and animals. Bio technology use gene modification,genetic improvement and genetic engineering.

Crops improved with transferred DNA referred to as genetic improvement have been developed to aid farmers to increase productivity . 

 Biotechnology holds the key to food security with higher yield and better products Genetic modification/genetic improvement/genetic engineering; refers to the process where there is transfer of useful characteristics into plants and animals. 

This process allows transfer of specific traits to plants or animals to produce improved and better breeds and strains that grow faster,bigger and most importantly resistant to diseases. more

#biotechnology #foodsecurity #biotech

Federal Government backs National Agricultural Show to draw foreign investment.

Federal Government backs National Agricultural Show to draw foreign investment. the Federal government has reiterated its commitment to giving agriculture a face lift through the National Agricultural show. This was revealed by the Minister of Agriculture and rural development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, in a meeting with a non-governmental organisation and organizers of the show, the Foundation of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria recently in Abuja. Ogbeh who commended the organizers of the show expressed confidence that it will feature agriculture exhibitions, road shows, cooking shows, and workshops and will attract foreign investors into the country’s agriculture sector. The Minister promised to hold a meeting with key stakeholders in the sector such as the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), World Bank, Africa Development Bank, embassies of China, Brazil, India, and South Africa for their input and support. continue

Onions in cattle feed can reduce methane emissions.

Onion a vegetable is widely cultivated and its of the genus Allium,which also has garlic as a member. Onions are cultivated around the world and used mainly as food item but lately their medicinal values have been explored. Onions have been discovered to stop aphid attack in tomato plants thus reducing the use of pesticides,read. 

Onions can be used raw or cooked and it causes irritation to eyes when sliced. This irritation is linked to the chemical it contains(allicin) which incidentally is the potent power of onions and garlic. Onions just like garlic have been shown to reduce pungent ammonia odor in poultry houses,these can be grounded and mixed with litter to prevent smell and also sanitize poultry house. 

The onion or garlic when grounded and spread around perimeter of poultry house prevents pest invasion,while grinding garlic and adding to water of birds prevents coccidiosis and deworms the birds. Cannibalism can be prevented by rubbing garlic paste on birds to prevent pecking. 

Read more A study published in the journal of agricultural and food chemistry has shown that cattle fed with onions have reduced methane emissions because the allicin kills the methane generating bacteria in the stomach of cattle thus reducing the farting associated with the methane emissions. 

The clause to the trial was that the milk had onion (onion milk) taste thus reducing palatability and acceptability of the milk. The scientists, determined to get the onion into the cow without creating onion milk, figured they could track propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO), the chemical that gives onions their scent, in the milk. 

They fed 100 cows normal cow feed, and spiked 100 cows’ food with PTSO-containing onion extract, increasing by five grams per cow per day for five days, up to 25 grams. 

They then continued to feed the cows 25 grams of extract for two months. The tests result shows that 25 grams per day was an adequate amount of onion extract to feed cows, and that 2 milligrams per kilogram of PTSO was the maximum concentration to avoid making the milk taste like onions.

HOW TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTORS TO AGRICULTURE WITH AGROTOURISM.

  Agrotourism involves any agriculturally-based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch thereby promoting the country and attracting investors.

Agrotourism setup usually involves a large expanse of land with various animals in cages or free flying birds in various zones, plants and other as ethics are used to beautify the place but most importantly a natural environment is created.

 Agrotourism can be a major source of foreign investment with planning and organisation of our zoos,animal resorts and conservation spots.

Agrotourism is a form of tourism that is considered as a growing industry in many parts of the world and its a style of vacation that normally takes place on a farm, ranch,zoo or animal resort.

Agrotourism can be real or virtual depending on your clientele and purpose ,see how to use virtual reality in agrotourism. Read ; I bet you will love to have a mini park,that is a leisure spot and your personal A.T.M. Welcome to our park; visit

New meningitis bacteria research could hold key to developing improved vaccines.

New meningitis bacteria research could hold key to developing improved vaccines. Meningococcal infections are the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the United Kingdom, a life-threatening disease that poses a continuing threat worldwide. With growing fears around the increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, understanding why certain strains don’t respond to vaccines could prove vital in helping reduce the number of global deaths from the disease. Kingston University London scientists have completed the genome sequence for a deadly strain of the bacteria that causes meningitis and – a breakthrough which could lead to improved vaccines to help prevent its spread. New meningitis bacteria research could hold key to developing improved vaccines,read

How to recycle grey water for use in agriculture.

Recycling grey water to conserve water is much more efficient than harvesting rainwater. Grey water is the water that is used and discarded in daily functions like bathing and washing clothes while water that is dispensed to sewage from toilets is called black water. The grey water that can be safely used for recycling is that which comes from washing machines and bathroom sinks as water from kitchens has a higher component of grease and this make it unsuitable. Studies have shown that grey water has only 1% of contaminants which can be easily removed,thus recycling is a far more efficient system of conserving water than rainwater harvesting. This recycling can be used in agriculture to grow crops and even as drinking water,this will be a type of closed system to ensure continuous water for irrigation of plants. more

Farmer feeds fish with cassava peels and makes millions.

Farmer feeds fish with cassava peels and makes millions. Evangelist Peter Ododa, owner and proprietor of an agricultural company called New Life Farms Agriculture Nigeria Limited based in Angwan Jikwoyi, New Karu, Nasarawa State. The 54-year-old started farming with N6,000 about four years ago with a pond and a small hut. Today, he is the proud owner of 48 ponds within the farm land and also owns a plantation that is about two and half hectares where he grows guava, banana, plantain, cassava, maize and other crops. The mission of this farmer is to prove that nothing is a waste in this world. The farmer feeds his chicken and fish with various waste food items; for fish, he uses rejected bread, palm kernel, soya bean chaff, Barbara nut, cassava peel, rice chaff to mention but a few. He has also explored other waste products to produce fish feeds in such a way that in four to five months they grow very big. The fishes thrive well on these waste products ,and after feeding for two to five months, their weights were between 2-3kg which he sold and made a lot of money. This is how ,read

Cross River partners South Africa in agriculture, tourism development.

The Cross River State government has announced its partnership with the North West Province of South Africa to develop agriculture and tourism sectors. Governor Ben Ayade disclosed this yesterday in Calabar, while addressing the Mafikeng delegation that was in the state for a three-day working visit. He explained that the partnership would also include the implementation of the recommendations on mass production of yellow maize and livestock farming, particularly poultry.Cross River partners South Africa in agriculture, tourism development. New innovations and strategies are needed to feed the ever growing population,such as this The governor explianed that the state state would go into the full production of not only yellow maize, but barley and hops to make alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There are also plans to establish a brewery industry and produce animal feeds, through an irrigation process to be supported by the Cross River Basin Development. more

Poultry allowed back outside but threat of avian flu not over yet .

Poultry keepers in the South West will be able to let their birds outside again this week, after months of emergency housing restrictions to halt the spread of avian flu. Since December last year, farmers have been ordered to keep their poultry inside to protect them from the highly infectious H5N8 strain of avian flu, which has been found in wild and farmed birds during that time. But from Thursday, free range birds across the country will be allowed outside again, following updated evidence on the risk posed by wild birds.Poultry allowed back outside but threat of avian flu not over yet ,more

New Law Compels Zimbabwe Banks to Accept Cows as Collateral.

New Law Compels Zimbabwe Banks to Accept Cows as Collateral.Commercial banks in Zimbabwe will soon be compelled to accept livestock such as cattle, goats and sheep as collateral for cash loans to informal businesses under a new law presented to parliament Tuesday. Under the Movable Property Security Interests Bill tabled for debate by Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa in the House of Assembly, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe will compile and administer a collateral-security register in which small-business operators and individuals can register their movable assets as security for credit. Vehicles, television sets, refrigerators, computers and other household appliances will become acceptable as collateral once they are evaluated and registered in the central bank’s register, according to Chinamasa. New Law Compels Zimbabwe Banks to Accept Cows as Collateral,more

Farmers Reap Richer Harvest with Futures.

: Thousands of farmers have started using commodities futures to get better prices for their produce, in line with PrimeMinister Narendra Modi’s recent call that such bourses should help cultivators, not speculators. India’s largest farm futures bourse said, 30,500 small farmers had for the first time used the futures market through farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to sell their produce at much higher rates than what agents at mandis used to offer them. NCDEX has, for the first time, managed to get 30,500 small and marginal farmers out of 1.62 lakh registered last year to deliver around 12,000 tonnes of produce on the exchange platform through FPOs. FPOs from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, MP, Bihar and Gujarat have tendered crops such as maize continue

AGRIBUSINESS: How to feed fish with cassava peels to boost growth and productivity.

AGRIBUSINESS: How to feed fish with cassava peels to boost growth and productivity. Fish is a valuable source of animal protein in human diets and also as protein in compounding of feed ration for animals. There is a need to increase production of fish for human consumption to meet the ever increasing demand by the population. There is a potential to produce locally that which is needed and even extend trade by exporting,but certain constraints are limiting growth. The cost of fish feed is a major constraint to productivity and farmers are always searching out ways to cut cost without affecting productivity. AGRIBUSINESS: How to feed fish with cassava peels to boost growth and productivity. The fish farmers are very innovative when it comes to feeding the fish,they usually start with compounded feed(finished) to start them up after which they source out locally produced feed(home- made) and then they finish them off with compounded(finished) feed. AGRIBUSINESS: How to feed fish with cassava peels to boost growth and productivity. In a bid to feed fish to boost productivity and growth several combinations have been used with success,read. Farmers have used cassava to feed fish in various combinations. Fish farmers often use a combination of cassava flakes with crayfish at mid-season and towards the harvesting time. Fish are fed with only cassava flakes also @1 week to harvest. The use of cassava peels have also been used to compound fish feed with tremendous success, learn how A study conducted to determine the growth response of fish to cassava peels shows that fish thrive very well on the peels using high inclusion rates. The study conducted at Department of Fisheries Technology, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri in 2012. The test used factorial design of five treatments of cassava peel meal at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% graded level . The cassava peel meal was sun dried for 48 h, grinded and added to the feed fed to 150 fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus into 10 tanks in triplicates and fed twice daily at 5% body weight for 60 days. The result shows that fish fed with 100% cassava peel meal had the highest mean weight gain of 10.46±0.01 and specific growth rate of 1.23±0.04. The poorest result was shown by fish fed 25% cassava peel meal with the lowest survival rate, weight gain, feed intake and specific growth rate, respectively. more

AGRIBUSINESS: How to turn cassava peels to poultry feed.

AGRIBUSINESS: How to turn cassava peels to poultry feed. Cassava peels can be processed into animal feed to feed cattle, sheep, goat,pigs,fish ans poultry. The processing of the peels for poultry feed is different as it has to be fine particles for easy digestibility. AGRIBUSINESS: How to turn cassava peels to poultry feed. The cassava peels are processed as follows 1) fresh and clean peels are used. 2)peels are sorted and only small to medium size peels are selected. 3) pour into a grater,grate 3 times. 4) pour in sacs, sack on one another in an hydraulic press to dewater. 5) 24 hours later pour cassava peel cake in flash dryer/ sun dry. 6) grate the dried cake again until fine or grate and leave coarse particle if other animals will be fed from this batch. AGRIBUSINESS: How to turn cassava peels to poultry feed. Cassava root meal(CRM) as a substitute for maize has been explored and the result was an increase in productivity.The effect of replacing maize with graded levels of cassava root meal (CRM) as energy source in the diet of laying hens was evaluated during the eight weeks of feeding experiment on performance and cost benefits on layers.The fresh cassava roots were peeled, washed and grated. The grated cassava mash was poured into a sack and pressed using a hydraulic pressing machine to remove excess water. The dewatered cassava mash was broken into fine granules and was sun dried on black polyethylene sheets, after which it was milled in a hammer mill and packed in bags as cassava root meal (CRM). Forty-five Nera black laying hens of 24 weeks of age were allocated to five dietary treatments, with nine birds per treatment in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks and result showed that replacement of maize by CRM up to 50:50 ratios did not significantly affect the hen-day egg production.more

AGRIBUSINESS: How to turn cassava peels into animal feed.

AGRIBUSINESS: How to turn cassava peels into animal feed. Cassava called Manihot esculenta, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. 

Cassava is the third-largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize. Cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people. Cassava is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils and Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava, while Thailand is the largest exporter of dried cassava. 

 Cassava can be processed into various products such as garri,tapioca, cake,bread and flakes for human consumption,but the peels can be processed and fed to animals. Cassava peels,used to be an environmental nuisance,because farmers and processors just left heaps on the floor to decompose or they burn them because they did not know how to process or preserve the peels until intervention of CGIAR.

 CGIAR scientists developed a low-tech way of transforming wet cassava peels into high quality, safe and hygienic feed ingredients within eight hours, producing one tonne of high quality cassava peel (HQCP) mash from three tonnes of wet peels. The processing of the peels into feed has a high potential because Africa’s estimated 50 million tonnes of cassava peel waste per year could generate at least 15 million tonnes of HQCP, thus providing alternative animal feed that are cheap ,easily accessible and with a capacity of creating a $2 billion a year industry on the continent.

. The cassava peels can be fed to both ruminants,fish and monogastrics,making it an ideal feed source,locally produced to reduce cost and boost productivity. The processing of the peels depend on the target animals. 

 The cassava peels processing is as follows; 1) peels must be clean and fresh. 2) sorted to remove tubers or big sized lumps/cuts. 3) pour the peels in a grater,and grate 3 times.4) put in sacks stacked on one another in an hydraulic press to dewater the peels. 5) 24hrs later the cassava peel cake is ready and can be fed to cattle, sheep,goat and pigs.