FARM INSPECTION POST COVID-19.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of lifestyle changes were enforces to curb the spread of the virus.
    The most important is the lock down restrictions which reduced movements within and outside states, countries and this affected farm visits.

   These restrictions is also accompanied with social distancing, wearing of masks and the washing of hands. Biosecurity protocols on farms follow these stringent rules to curb the spread of the Corona virus, now the issue of inspection on farms is a game changer.

  The Corona virus pandemic has raised the bar on biosecurity, so how will farmers engage veterinarians?

 New technologies must be employed to ensure safety of animals and farmers. Technologies designed to help farmers overcome COVID-19 restrictions may have longer-term value changing the face of farm inspections.


    This is where using phones, data, and an interactive platform will come in handy. Telecommunications is not only to ensure food security but food safety as well.

   Farm visitation, assessment and health status check of animals can be done remotely using technological innovation.  Pre- Covid-19, the use of cameras,cctv, monitors on farms was limited but post Covid-19,this will be the new norm.

   Farms can be accessed using monitors and certain sensors to check health status of animals, this will limit human and vehicular traffic. This is precision livestock farming: hands-free model to promote biosecurity.

   Read :Red Tractor innovation . Red Tractor may offer a model for others where a physical presence may no longer be possible or necessary. Standard Red Tractor assessments in the U.K. came to halt in March, but pandemic or no pandemic, the scheme needed to ensure that its members were adhering to its standards.

   It now does this through what it has termed “virtual eyes” Rather than accept an inspector on farm, members of the scheme can now be checked via one of two ways.

 One option requires members to submit documentation for pre-assessment which is then followed by a partial assessment using live-streaming technologies to produce a real-time farm inspection.

Alternatively, the entire assessment – reviewing paperwork and a visual inspection – can be streamed live with an assessor.

Medium-chain fatty acids: Protecting pigs from pathogens.

Global movement of feed ingredients calls for an in-feed disease mitigation strategy.

Feed and feed ingredients have the potential to harbor devastating bacteria and viruses like porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and African swine fever (ASF).


The bacteria and viruses can be transmitted in feed – eventually making their way through the pig’s digestive system and replicating, causing infection.

 The global movement of feed ingredients and commodities increases the risk of introducing disease through ingredients when sourced from areas of active disease pressures.


The risk of global disease transmission reinforces the need for an in-feed mitigation strategy to help guard against disease threats.

 Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs)  have proven to be a useful biosecurity tool, essentially acting as security guards to protect pigs from bacteria and viruses.

The coconut oil  contains a (medium chain fatty acid}begin working in feed, before pigs consume it, to reduce the feed’s pathogen load. After feed consumption, it continues to work inside the animal to weaken pathogens in the digestive tract. Learn how coconut oil in your pig diet can act as a biosecurity tool .

The coconut oil kills bacteria in feed before the pig consumes it and also prevents the replication of bacteria inside the pig.

This is how it kills bacteria:1)Degrade the bacterial cell membrane.

 2)Dissociate into the bacterial cell, causing the pH inside the cell to drop.

 3)Block DNA replication of bacterial cells. In case of viruses with envelopes this is how coconut oil protects the pigs.

COVID-19 forces agrifood industries to adapt, innovate.

 This is the new norm in the face of the novel corona virus. Many agribusiness ventures are changing the way business is done.

  

  Today, a lot of the agrifood industries have a stronger presence in take-aways, deliveries at your door step . 

    This has created a  strong supply chain with emphasis on online placement of orders and door-door delivery.

    

The pandemic has shown that we need to change our model, the innovators in the food sectors raking in cash now are those with products with extended shelf-life.

       How has the Covid-19 Pandemic changed your business? share your thoughts. 

  Read Jacqueline Pieters, thoughts. Jacqueline Pieters lead finance and investment with the World Business Council of Sustainable Development at Rabobank, .

Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, recently spoke at a Women in Food and Agriculture webinar,

 “How Have Different Food and Agribusiness Leaders Addressed COVID-19 Challenges?”

    

Rabies found in cattle.

Rabies found in cattle in 3 states Minnesota and Texas have reported one case each of rabies in cattle this year, and Oklahoma has reported two.

Veterinarians do not recommend vaccinating all cattle for rabies, but Oklahoma State University Extension veterinarian Barry Whitworth says dairy cows, show animals, horses and other animals with regular human contact should be vaccinated. Full Story: Bovine Veterinarian

The Red Meat Value Chain In Lagos.

Its so amazing what you can accomplish by power of a vision. About 6 years ago i talked about the power of a vision and how it can change your world,
   

                          

 Change is the only constant thing and that change has come to the red meat value chain , with the A.T. M. strategy. A great vision birth by wisdom. 

THE  A.T.M STRATEGY.

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