Pigs from the quarantine zone in African Swine Fever affected areas can be slaughtered.

In Ukraine,pigs from the quarantine zone in Africa Swine Fever areas are now okay for slaughter and used for processing and further production of sausages. This is contrary to the old rule where all pigs must be burnt, the update law was stated was announced in updated veterinary instructions aimed to combat the virus released by Ukraine’s State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service (Gosvetphitosluzba), late April. Boris Kobal, the head of the food safety department of Gosvetphitosluzba said that the old version of the instruction was no longer meeting the needs of the time and required updating, according to the service’s website. This updated instruction introduces new definitions of biological safety as it distinguishes between farms with high levels of biological safety versus infected facilities, and also specifies closed pig farm operations. The instruction facilitates veterinary control during African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks, as it, not only allows healthy pigs to be sent for slaughter, but it also reduces the required limits of quarantine zones. This is because surveillance zones are also being installed, where enhanced veterinary control is applied, but not as strict as in quarantine zones. continue

Cannabis reverses aging process in the brain.

A new study using mice has shown that cannabis can be used to reverse aging process. Memory function and performance are usually reduced as aging sets in,but this process in the brain can be reversed with cannabis. The study carried out by scientists at the University of Bonn with their colleagues at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel),showed that old animals were able to regress to the state of two-month-old mice with a prolonged low-dose treatment with a cannabis active ingredient. This according to result is handy for treating dementia.

Children exposed to flower pesticides show neurobehavioral effects.

A new study published in the May 2017 issue of the journal NeuroToxicology has shown that children exposed to flower pesticides exhibit neurological behaviors. The research carried out in Ecuador examined children who did not work in agriculture but lived in agricultural communities. The study showed short term neurological behavior in these children which coincided with peak periods when flower pesticides are used. Ecuador is the third largest producers of roses in the world ,the industry is buoyant and they rely heavily on agricultural pesticides. The study showed that children examined sooner after the flower harvest displayed lower performance , such as attention, self-control, visuospatial processing which is the ability to perceive and interact with our visual world and sensorimotor ,the eye-hand coordination compared to children examined later in a time of lower flower production and pesticide use. Early exposure to commonly used agricultural pesticides is associated with neurobehavioral delays in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). Pesticide exposure has also been linked to altered development of reflexes and psychomotor and mental function in newborns with boys more susceptible than girls.

How to stop skin scratches in broilers.

Skin scratches are caused by broilers climbing over each other.When broilers are slaughtered and the feathers removed,it becomes obvious that skin scratches are a part of most production because of certain factors/conditions. Skin scratches are caused when broilers climb over each other,this is common in any of the following conditions ;1) broiler house is too wet. 2)over population/highly stocked 3) fewer feeder pans. 4) long periods of darkness. 5) rough handling of broilers during inspection..

Hock burns in broilers.

What do you understand as hock burns in broilers. Hock burns refers to a blackish-brown discoloration of the surface of the skin at the hock in broilers. Hock burns also referred to as ammonia burns usually evident in soaked litter. This hock burn occurs after a long period of exposure with moisture and ammonia on poor quality litter. It is very important to monitor litter for health of the birds.

How to prevent boots from sinking in litter.

When litter becomes too wet,its a health risk to birds and sanitation nuisance to man. Litter should not be wet thus adequate care must be taken to prevent it.Wet litter turns mushy when it gets too wet,hover over the icons within the image for more information.

A Rare Virus That's Worse Than Lyme Disease Is Being Spread by Ticks.

A Rare Virus That's Worse Than Lyme Disease Is Being Spread by Ticks. According to Today.com ticks can spread a far deadlier disease-one that has no treatment and that disease is the Powassan virus, which is transmitted by deer ticks just like Lyme disease. The exposure time a tick needs is 15 minutes on your body to transmit the virus to you while Lyme disease needs a full 24 hours . The risk is highest during late spring, early summer, and mid-fall, with visible symptoms from a week to a month after being bitten. Ten percent of cases are fatal, and 50 percent of cases result in permanent neurological damage, because the virus causes inflammation in the brain. The symptoms of Powassan virus are fever, headache, loss of coordination, seizures and trouble speaking , and treatment protocol is to tackle symptoms while your immune system fights the virus.