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Frozen out: BSE-era relief programs a case study in how Indigenous farmers fall through the cracks

The story begins in the early days of the BSE or “mad cow” crisis. Cattle prices are hemorrhaging, with U.S. border closure the market equivalent of a jugular slash.

Interlake cattle ranchers meet at the Ashern auction mart and board a charter bus bound for the Manitoba Legislature. Aboard is Fairford First Nation farmer Derrick Gould and two ranchers from Peguis First Nation.

At the legislature, as the ranchers urge lawmakers to help them, someone realizes the Indigenous men are farming on reserves. An official tells them they can’t participate in provincially funded aid. They’re the federal government’s responsibility.

He recalls going through official band channels to reach a federal representative. When they did, they were told there was no help for them.

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How the PRRS-resistant pig provides innovation and impact for farmers – full-length film

Video: How the PRRS-resistant pig provides innovation and impact for farmers – full-length film


What is the real-world impact of innovations like the PRRS-resistant pig for producers, scientists and the entire pork industry? For the Chinn family, sixth generation hog farmers in Missouri, who have dealt with devastating PRRS breaks before, the possibility of eliminating PRRS means the promise of passing the farm down to the next generation. For university researchers like Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam at UC Davis, it means scientists could use genetics to precisely decrease animal disease. And for consumers, it means the pork on your plate is no different, except for its resistance to disease.