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Third USDA action week targets African swine fever

Gearing up for a proactive stance against African Swine Fever (ASF), the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is hosting its impactful third annual ASF Action Week from October 2 - 6, 2023. Swine producers, farmers, and pig enthusiasts across the U.S. are invited to come aboard and delve into the protective measures against ASF. 

ASF may be a stranger to the U.S., but its presence in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 2021 has necessitated heightened vigilance. Dr. Rosemary Sifford of APHIS warns of the severe ramifications – a 10-year, $75 billion struggle if ASF infiltrates the U.S. 

In response, APHIS is fostering collaborations with states and industry, fortifying safeguards, and emphasizing prevention as the cornerstone of swine protection. A series of informative sessions, insights from industry partners, and the “I Protect Pigs” photo contest will mark the week, all accessible through social media and the official website. 

Free resources, including engaging videos and guides, are available for participants to enhance their knowledge and preparedness. Join the collective effort, be part of the conversations, and contribute to the safeguarding of U.S. swine herds essential for both domestic and international food supply. 

Source : wisconsinagconnection

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Alberta Honey: A Day at Molenkamp Honey Farms

Video: Alberta Honey: A Day at Molenkamp Honey Farms

When was the last time you read the label on your honey?

We spent a day at Molenkamp Honey Farms with Michael Molenkamp, who has been keeping bees for 17 seasons and runs three to four thousand hives. In mid-September, he was finishing treatments and getting his bees ready for winter, and he walked us through how Alberta honey gets made.

Alberta has just 150 commercial beekeepers running 300,000 colonies, and together they produce 40% of Canada’s honey. Long summer days and golden canola fields give Alberta honey a light flavour that’s hard to match anywhere else.

Molenkamp calls Alberta beekeepers some of the most resilient farmers he knows. There’s plenty of Alberta honey to go around, but a lot on our shelves isn’t from here, so his ask is simple. Give the label a second look and choose honey made by Alberta beekeepers, or buy straight from a beekeeper near you.