How to deal with ticks.

There are several species of ticks that transmit human and animal diseases, the most common is the blacklegged tick, which prefers moist woodland edges and transmits the deadly Lyme disease. The blacklegged ticks also cause babesiosis and anaplasmosis. The Lone star ticks thrive in hotter, drier places, such as lawns, and transmit ehrlichiosis and tularemia. There is a need to identify ticks and their habitat so as to ascertain disease risk . When going outdoors or suspected tick habitat ,use tick repellent on clothing and also do a tick-check of your entire body within 12 to 24 hours of outdoor activities. more

First case of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus( PRRS) outbreak on pig farm in Ecuador.

A first case of PRRS outbreak on pig farm in Ecuador,this outbreak started on April 3 at a commercial farm for fattening and trading pigs. The World Organization for Animal Health reported the confirmed presence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in Ecuador, the first occurrence of the disease in the South American country on the 5th of May. The farm located in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas province, which is located west of the capital city, Quito. Dr. Diego Alfonso Viscaino Cabezas, agricultural engineer with the Ecuadorian Agriculture Ministry, reported the outbreak. On the farm, seven pigs were found to be infected with PRRS. All of them were destroyed. Farm with an epidemiological link are being investigated, and surveillance of neighboring farms is being conducted.

Why do dogs eat grass ?

Why do dogs eat grass ? The site of your dog nibbling grass can be disturbing and most owners just assume the worst. Dogs eating grass is not always an emergency except where pesticides have been used or wild poisonous grasses are the choice of the dog. Dogs nibble on grasses occasionally if there is a deficient nutrient in their meal such as potassium or fiber as most grasses are high in fiber and potassium . Dogs occasionally eat grass to trigger vomiting to relieve stomach upset or gastric irritation as in the case of worm overload,when dogs are uncomfortable with distended stomach . When dogs eat grasses frequently,then you need to get the dog to the vet.

Columbia graduates kickstart new hydroponic bottle project.

The World’s Smallest Garden turns a bottle into a self-watering hydroponic garden. It’s a fun, easy and really affordable way for anyone to grow fresh food at home.Unlike other grow kits on the market today that cost hundreds of dollars and come with sophisticated lights and automation – the World’s Smallest Garden is designed to be accessible for everyone. more

LED lighting can eliminate the use of pesticides in agriculture.

LED lightning can eliminate the need for pesticides in agriculture. Research has shown that light produced by LEDs have the ability to speed up plant growth and improve the taste of fruit and vegetables. A recent study by researchers in the United States are also proves that LED light is able to reduce disease in plants, a discovery that could, eliminate the use of pesticides. The research which was on the effect of LED and ultraviolet light on strawberries, rosemary, cucumber, as well as a string of other fruit and vegetables, showed that the light reduce pathogens whilst increasing production. Human beings require light to be able to live and so do pathogens, as pathogens are living entities therefore they also require light to regulate their daily growth and development. The LEDs can be controlled to produce a particular spectrum of light that utilizes what is required for production and to eliminate pathogens. more

Kartlos Farms opens EnviroDome project in Nigeria.

Kartlos Farms announces the first phase of their EnviroDome Greenhouse Ventilation System (EGVS), with over 25-acre expansion later in 2017. The system uses the EGVS which is marketed by the company Aida Agro from Nigeria. According to the company, it is the first of its kind in Nigeria. The EnviroDome Greenhouse Ventilation System uses technology imported from China and Israel and is suitable for the production of tomato, cucumber, cabbage, capsicum, broccoli, carrot and a variety of green vegetables. The management has contacts with various business partners and seed companies in Europe, Asia and Africa for the supply of seeds. KFL was founded to advance modern farming in Nigeria. The recent completion of Kartlos Farms, a multi-million naira built greenhouse was a milestone many called impossible. The construction of Kartlos EnviroDome Greenhouse consist of cooling and irrigation facilities, the first production will be successful in July 2017. more

Pet dogs are the new must-have accessory at the smarter office.

Pet dogs are the new must-have accessory at the smarter office. Companies are using animal magnetism to reduce stress in the workplace and hang on to staff. Joy is an eight-month-old golden retriever and she goes to the office with her owner, Carol DuPuis. These days, especially at tech companies, you’re as likely to find a dog in the office as you are a pot plant or watercooler. For startups particularly, allowing dogs is an easy, cheap way of attracting and retaining millennials, on top of the free snacks, pinball machines and gym membership. The Google code of conduct states “affection for our canine friends is an integral facet of our corporate culture”. At Amazon, around 2,000 employees have registered their pets at its headquarters in Seattle so they can take them in – reception desks are stocked with biscuits, some water fountains are set at dog height, and there’s an off-leash park – also open to the public – where staff can exercise their pets. continue