AVIAN INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia are investing CAD$ 300,000 (€200,000) to strengthen the surveillance, early detection, and response measures to avian flu. The funding will be used to enhance the resources at the Ministry of Agriculture's Animal Health Centre in Abbotsford, British Colombia with specialized equipment to diagnose samples collected in the Ministry's avian flu surveillance efforts. The Ministry of Agriculture will also be targeting owners of small poultry flocks by hosting workshops in different regions focusing on poultry health, and the sharing of information and resources such as the Small Flock Poultry Health Manual. Funds will also be used to support a rapid response to any future outbreaks by having mobile equipment to help any infected poultry premises with the humane depopulation of infected bird populations within the province at all times and to train more people in the use. Education about the virus and biosecurity procedures are paramount to prevention and spread of the bird flu virus.The basic clean, wash and disinfection on farms , better management practices and restriction of visitors to farms play vital roles to stem spread of diseases. Early detection/diagnosis is key to prevent incidence in other farms and wide spread infection over a wide radius range to prevent economic losses. Ministry of Agriculture staff began a pilot surveillance project that collected sediment samples at ponds and wetlands used by wild waterfowl following the December 2014 avian flu outbreak in the Fraser Valley. A research group has worked at developing cutting edge technological advances to be able to test the samples collected from the pilot project for the presence of avian flu strains. Funds will be used to transfer this new technology to the Animal Health Centre. As the pilot project evolves into ongoing surveillance, the ability to diagnose the samples quickly at the Animal Health Centre will greatly enhance early detection efforts. Source; portions of story from world poultry.

DDGS and enzymes make a good mix in broiler diets.

Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS) is the result of extracting ethanol from grains through dry milling. The average level of protein contained in the DDGS is 26% (as fed). The level of total Lysine is higher than in corns with low digestibility (60-70%). In the case of sulphur amino acids, the digestibility is a little bit higher (70-75%). If we take a finisher standard diet for broilers (28-42 days for birds) based on corn and soy with a 15% inclusion of DDGS as an example, the level of protein in the diet is nearly 20%, with digestible lysine that represents 5% of the total and moderated levels of sulphur amino acids and threonine digestible (12% and 13% respectively). The content of unsaturated fat is high (5-10%). The hydrolysis process and the drying to which the product is submitted increases the concentration of free fatty acids. Between different authors, the ME can vary between 2,600 and 2,950 Kcal, depending fundamentally on the composition, processes and digestibility coefficients from different fractions. The content of total phosphorus is high, with high availability, resulting in 0.45-0.55% of avail-able phosphorus. They can also contain high levels of xanthophyll, which can improve pigmentation; up to 35 mg/kg were found in DDGS. The levels of crude fibre obtained analytically are in excess of 10%. Almost all the starch has been converted to ethanol, so that a big concentration of non-starch polysaccharides and especially cell-wall components exists. This is why the use of exogenous enzymes is presented as an alternative; to increase the efficient use of nutrients in diets formulated with DDGS. DDGS can be a good alternative ingredient in diets for broilers. Its use in combination with a multi-enzymatic complex, combined with an extra dose of phytase, can help to achieve optimal performance. A few trials, conducted in Argentina, are described here; In the first assay, 640 male broilers were distributed between 32 floor pens according to a randomised, complete block design. With 20 birds per pen, it consisted of four treatments with diets containing 15% of DDGS: A-diet with a normal energy level; B-diet with a low level of energy (-150Kcal) and a 50g dose of multi-enzymatic complex (xylanase, amylase and protease); C-diet with a low level of energy (-150Kcal) and a 100g dose of multi-enzymatic complex (xylanase, amylase and protease); D-diet with a normal energy level and 100g dose of a bacterial phytase (dose equal to 1,000 FTU). The feeding plan consisted of a pre-starter for up to 10 days, a starter from 11 to 21 days, and a finisher up to 42 days. Although statistical differences were not found with the statistical methods used, numerically speaking, the diets formulated with DDGS with a low level of energy and the addition of multi-enzymatic complex resulted in higher body weight (Table 1) and less feed conversion than DDGS diets with normal levels of energy without the addition of enzymes. The DDGS used contained 10% crude fibre. The addition of multi-enzymatic complex increased the digestibility of diets with a greater fibre content. The addition of 1,000 FTU of phytase (750 FTU formulated and 250 FT on top) to DDGS diets with normal levels of energy resulted in better weight and less feed conversion than the rest of the treatments. The addition of an extra dose of phytase would allow benefits to be gained from other nutrients, not only phosphorus. read more about research ;http://www.allaboutfeed.net/Nutrition/Raw-Materials/2015/12/DDGS-and-enzymes-make-a-good-mix-in-broiler-diets-2721468W/

BROTHERS FREE TRAPPED EAGLE.!!!

Brothers Michael and Neil Fletcher found a bald eagle stuck in a trap near Windy Lake in Ontario, Canada, which tried to fly away when the two men approached. Michael and Neal wrapped a jacket around the eagle to calm it down, and then managed to free its talon. read more here: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/11/heroic-brothers-free-a-bald-eagle-from-a-trap-and-take-the-best-selfie-of-all-time,

US POULTRY MORE EQUIPPED TO TACKLE BIRD FLU.

The US poultry can tackle any outbreak better.The country has stepped up her bio security protocol to limit infection and prevent spread in cases of outbreak.The bird flu virus cost the poultry and egg industry 390m in August 2015 because they culled 43m birds, so changes have been made to safeguard livestock. read more here;http://www.globalmeatnews.com/Safety-Legislation/US-poultry-will-handle-new-virus-better

JOINT HEALTH FOR HORSES.

Injuries can occur any time and its the responsibility of pet owners to ensure they protect their animals. Injuries ranging from trauma, slips, falls and puncture wounds should all be guarded against as this will be predisposing conditions for lameness ,poor performance and death in cases of infection of wounds. The horse stalls and stables must be comfortable,airy and free of materials that can be a source of injury such as nails, coiled wires, iron pieces e.t.c. This is where the stall mats come in handy.These are highly durable, recycled rubber that are made into comfortable mats /mattress for the comfort of your animals. The mats are flat, and provide a non-slip surface for the horses preventing any fall. The mats ensures safety by limiting the number of falls and subsequent injuries/lameness.The mats are non porous, so they are easy to clean and disinfect preventing a proliferation of bacteria,thus limiting infection. The horses are comfortable ,without the risk of any injury from penetrating objects in the stall, horses housed in stalls with these mats are clean,calm and very sociable. Get your mats here;http://www.animat.ca/en/equine/

ANIMAL MATS FOR COMFORT.

These mats made from recycled tyres provide support and protection to the animals. The benefits of the mats are as follows; 1) hygienic stalls. 2)prevents injuries. 3)prevents falling ,slipping. 4)absorbs pressure especially in forelimbs. read more here http://www.animat.ca/en/equine/;

SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME.

Feeding children to keep them in school has taken a new dimension; http://www.international.gc.ca/development-developpement/stories-histoires/kenya/feed_school_children-nourrir_ecoliers.aspx?lang=eng

Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program - Agricultural Marketing Service

Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program - Agricultural Marketing Service

NEWS ON HPAI.

The bird flu virus has affected over a million geese in Taiwan ,with 200 outbreaks only last week. The 3 strains predominant are H5N2,H5N3,and H5N8. The virus has also affected man resulting in death in Egypt, Taiwan and HongKong,the deaths have occurred in people who had close contact with infected poultry,those who have living quarters in close proximity to poultry,those working live bird markets and also been linked to contact with infected persons. In a new twist the a human infection has been reported in Canada, in a person that recently returned from a trip to China. The best approach still is enhanced bio security protocol,its in your hands stop the bird flu virus.