International Pineapple Trade and Best Practices.

International Pineapple Trade and Best Practices.Pineapples destined for long distance trade should be packed in such a way that the product itself is protected. Likewise, the materials used inside the package should all be clean, sanitized, and of such quality that they avoid any external or internal damage to the produce. Furthermore, the use of materials, particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed, provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue. Finally, the pineapples and other produce should be packed within each container in compliance with the Recommended International Code of Practice for Packaging and Transport of Tropical Fresh Fruit and Vegetables. Global Gap has a mandatory food traceability system incorporated and it is not just a system for good farming practices. Global Gap makes it mandatory to keep records of all applications to the crops and to properly labeled parcels and lots. This way, when a fruit arrives at the pack house, it can be traced directly to where it came from and determine what applications it received. In addition, each production lot at the pack house is managed, boxed, and labeled with a precise traceability number. If there are any issues with particular shipment, the pack house can trace it all the way back to its lot of origin.

Blockchain in Agribusiness : The Benefits of Blockchain in Agribusiness.

The Potential of Blockchain in Agribusiness.The encryption technology known as Blockchain was originally popularized with the appearance of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency.


The first use of this innovative and complex technology was to trace and document all activities that Bitcoins undergo. In this sense, Blockchain allows cryptocurrency users to securely track and observe every transaction that a specific good or product undergoes.


Blockchain is ground breaking because its encryption coding automatically records the activity details of a good or service as a new link or block in a linear data set that is non-repudiable and transparent within a public network.


 Furthermore, while Blockchain allows users to observe the history and components of a specific article, it does not allow users to erase or alter it in any way. Rather, new transactions and activities are added as additional data links.

 In recent years, technology and software companies have been developing ways in which the Blockchain technology from cryptocurrencies can be employed by industries such as banking, finance, manufacturing, trade, and even agribusiness.


Though still in the early stages, these developments are proving revolutionary for many industries. Allowing banks to trace international financial transactions more securely, helping financial watchdogs to better combat money laundering, simplifying shipping and regulatory paperwork for international trade, and informing consumers as to the specific sources of their produce, are just some of the processes that Blockchain technology has the ability to simplify and make more secure. 

Furthermore, Blockchain technology would allow consumers and industry regulators to easily verify the origin of products, whether a product is responsibly produced, whether it has been illegally traded, assess the carbon footprint of its supply and distribution chain, and if it has paid the necessary taxes and duties.

 Ultimately, Blockchain is revolutionizing industries worldwide and, in the near future, it will allow unprecedented levels of transparency, security, and accountability in world markets.


 Simultaneously, Blockchain technology will allow companies, from start-ups to large multinationals, to compete on equal footing as it relates to certifications, such as fair trade and organic sourcing.

 #Blockchain for agriculture. #Blockchain and agricultural supply chain. #blockchain applications in agribusiness. #Blockchain in agriculture.

Technology Connecting Veterinarians with Clients.

Technology Connecting Veterinarians with Clients    .When Alisa Denney's horse became ill, she was hard-pressed to find a local veterinarian to examine him. “We don't have  anyone in this county, so I called a veterinarian I knew outside the area,” she said.

 At the veterinarian’s request, Denney sent a text detailing the horse's clinical signs along with photos of the animal and how much manure he produced throughout the day. “He gave me a short-term diagnosis, and told me how I could help the horse right away,” she recalled. “Then he referred me to an experienced veterinarian closer to home.

” Experiences like Denney's are becoming increasingly common as telemedicine—medical professionals using text and photo messaging and internet technologies to help patients—is allowing veterinarians to provide their clients access to a variety of veterinary services from the routine to specialized, all from afar. Veterinary medicine,connecting clients

Dogs are red-green color blind.

Dogs are red-green color blind, research indicates.Dogs are colourblind and struggle to distinguish between red and green, meaning finding a red ball in the park could prove tricky, scientists have said. Experts have known for some time that dogs have poor vision, and are up to eight times worse than humans at seeing things in detail. But until now, nobody knew why. Now scientists have developed a test for dogs and found that they struggle to tell red and green apart, much like colour blind humans, a condition known as deuteranopia.

Secrets of successful piglet feeding after weaning.

Secrets of successful piglet feeding after weaning.Feeding piglets after weaning remains a challenge for most producers, whereas buying the best possible feed is merely the first step. Post-weaning feed intake has always been rather low compared to genetic potential for growth in early-weaned pigs. This costly problem is attributed mainly to early weaning at 3 weeks, as opposed to natural weaning at about 8 weeks of age. Under most commercial conditions, weaned pigs invariably experience some degree of appetite depression. This increases production cost and reduces growth performance through the finishing stage, affecting profitability in a negative way. It is not uncommon for pigs to starve for as long as 3 to 5 days after weaning, whereas others may start eating a few minutes after placement in the nursery building. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that low feed intakes during the early post-weaning period severely limit future growth potential, increase temperature and management requirements, intensify morbidity and mortality, and reduce turn over of facilities. The following generic rule may be applied to understand this issue: For every 100 grams of extra feed intake per day during the first week post-weaning, body weight increases by at least 2 kilograms at the end of the fourth week post-weaning. All or some of the following are used successfully in profitable operations: 1) Management. This may be rather obvious, but it cannot be overemphasized how important hygiene and management are in creating an environment for maximal post-weaning performance. Increased bio security, an aggressive farm-specific disease prevention program, improved pig/human flow and continuous staff training are essential parts of a professional nursery site. Well-trained managers are the most valuable and sometimes the hardest-to-find assets. 2) Diet digestibility. Feed intake generally increases with improving digestibility of the diet. This is a well-known fact, and it is the main reason why most piglet diets are fortified with cooked cereals, milk proteins, fish meal and simple sugars like lactose and sucrose. Although such diets are more expensive than simple diets (based on maize and soybean), the benefits are tremendous in terms of improved performance and health during the whole grow-out period. Ingredients of poor digestibility pass rather intact along the gastrointestinal tract to the large intestine where they promote bacterial proliferation that invariably leads to diarrhea.

Creep Feeding For Piglets.

Creep Feeding For Piglets.Creep feeding initiates and promotes gut and digestive enzyme development, which enables the piglet to digest nutrients from food sources other than that of milk. This encourages feed intake, which is one of the greatest challenges to post-weaning performance. Creep feeding becomes increasingly important and beneficial as weaning age increases. As piglets grow, their demand for nutrients similarly grows and with increasing age this demand outstrips the capacity of the sow to supply them, as the sow’s milk yield peaks at around three weeks and then slowly declines.Be committed: creep feeding is more successful the more time and effort is devoted to it. Proper creep feeding is a very valuable and worthwhile process but it must be done correctly to see the benefits and avoid wastage. Creep feed gets the piglet used to eating solid feed and makes the piglet familiar with what becomes the sole diet at weaning; studies have also shown that as creep feed intakes rise, post-weaning diarrhoea is reduced. #piglets A good creep feed must line up with the following : 1)Keep creep feed fresh and clean and out of reach of the sow. 2)Start creep feeding at seven to 10 days of age. 3)Begin by offering creep on a flat surface, for example, a shallow tray (heavy metal or plastic trays that can hook into the slats). 4)Place trays close to the piglets but not under direct heat as this will turn the feed stale too quickly; also, keep feed away from the dunging area 5)Begin with very small amounts replaced at least twice a day, preferably more. Always remove all uneaten creep; only unmedicated waste creep can be fed to the sow. 6) Offer creep when the sows are feeding as piglets are active and unlikely to be suckled for some time 7) Do not overfeed - feed to appetite. Litters often eat little and then suddenly begin to eat increasing amounts. 8)Introduce small troughs or top up the trays more often if litters are eating well. 9)Clean any fouled trays or troughs. 10)Store creep feed in a cool place and always close bags to prevent feed taking up the farrowing house odors and/or becoming rancid. #piglets Remember the importance of the sow: it is crucial to maximize milk yield, she will be providing the majority of the piglet's nutrition; Utilization of creep feed should always be considered as a supplement for increased benefit rather than a replacement for milk.Creep Feeding For Piglets.

3 strategies for successful piglet creep feeding.

3 strategies for successful piglet creep feeding.Understanding when creep feeding is working and when it is not can create savings or performance potential on any pig farm. 1) Creep feeding and weaning age. The first of such condition is the weaning age of the piglets. For piglets to fully benefit from creep feeding, they must have sufficient time to consume about 500 grams of feed before weaning. When pigs are weaned at 15-18 days of age, creep feed intake is rarely over 100 grams per pig. Thus, the only benefit that can be claimed is that pigs at least realize pellets or dry meal as a form of nourishment. But there is one big problem following such limited and early exposure to dry feed, in that the gastrointestinal system might be prematurely triggered to a delayed hypersensitivity reaction if the feed contains any source of soybeans. This usually manifests itself in the form of profuse diarrhea after weaning when pigs start consuming larger quantities of feed while any protective effect of mother’s milk is removed. Thus, for very early-weaned pigs, it is best not to offer any creep feed at all. In contrast, when weaning weights must be boosted, it is strongly advised to offer them a milk re-placers. In contrast, when pigs are weaned at approximately 25 days of age, creep feed intake approaches the limit of 500 grams of pigs, bypassing the danger of delayed hypersensitivity reaction. In this case, pigs not only become rapidly accustomed to consuming dry feed, but they are also weaned markedly heavier. Based on research and experience, it can be said that creep feeding can be associated with as much as an extra kilogram body weight as weaning age approaches 28 days of age. Therefore, with later weaning ages, as currently practiced throughout Europe, creep feeding must be a common feature in all piglet feeding programs. When pigs are weaned at 35 days of age, creep feeding is so successful that it is often advisable to discontinue offering the initial feed after one week and replace it with a less dense/complex diet to prevent pigs from scouring from overfeeding. 2) Management is key Now, the next logical question is "How is it done?" The secret, if there is such a thing, is in the old but wise advice of little and often. Yes, it is labor intensive, and yes, it is not fun after the first few times, but pigs are biological organisms and that’s the way they work. Given spoiled or stale feed they simply refuse to eat it, or even explore it, as long as they have access to mother’s warm milk. Hardly possible to blame them! So, start with a small quantity of fresh creep feed (~50 g) from a newly-opened bag and offer it on an open plate or spread it on their sleeping mat. Preferably do so between sow feeding times because pigs know they are going to get a good milk meal right after the sow eats. Next time around the farrowing barn, clean up any leftovers and replenish with another portion of creep feed, even though some litters did not consume their share. To this end, it’s best for the creep feed to be kept outside the farrowing barn so that it does not pick up the smells pigs are used to. Once piglets consume their allotted portion, it is probably a good time to switch to a less expensive product, or even wean them. And, one final remark: Pigs eating creep feed must also drink fresh water. So, make sure they have access to it all the time and that they know how to use the drinking devices. 3 strategies for successful piglet creep feeding.