Joe Dales's Blog – January 2010 Archive (1)

Avian Flu Back In Western Canada

Avian flu is making the rounds again in Western Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says new cases have popped up in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Salmon Arm in B.C., and in Ponoka County here in Alberta. That brings Alberta’s total to nine commercial flocks hit this year, with more under investigation near Strathcona and Leduc. Saskatchewan’s first outbreak of the season showed up in Humboldt last month. Officials blame fall migration for spreading the virus and are urging poultry producers to lock down biosecurity. Meanwhile, an update from an animal sanctuary in BC’s interior. The sanctuary near Summerland is reeling from what staff call a devastating outbreak of avian influenza. Critteraid says its farm has been closed since late October after a positive case of H5N1. The virus was confirmed after several birds, including a rooster named Delta, died suddenly. In total, more than a dozen chickens and five ducks were lost—some euthanized for safety. Interior Health is doing co

Weekly Weather Summary

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s weekly weather summary released today. Information from the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, which is released weekly by the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service from April through November, was not available due to the federal government shutdown. “Based on my observations while traveling around the state and the conversations I’m having with farmers, harvest appears to be nearly complete. That’s in line with the five-year average, which shows Iowa typically has about 98% of soybeans and 91% of corn harvested by mid-November,” said Secretary Naig. “There was a notable weather shift over the weekend as many parts of the state received the first snowfall of the season and snow blanketed much of northwest Iowa. Temperatures fell into the teens and low 20s across much of the state, marking the official end of the growing season

Secretary Naig Requests Nominations for Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today invited Iowans to nominate fuel marketers and gas stations in their communities for the Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards. The Secretary’s annual awards recognize retailers that go above and beyond in their efforts to promote homegrown, renewable fuels and use innovative marketing strategies to showcase the availability and affordability of higher biofuel blends at their locations. “American-made biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel save Iowans money at the pump, give consumers more choice, and increase the value of Iowa-grown corn and soybeans,” said Secretary Naig. “These homegrown fuels power our state forward. They support Iowa’s ag economy, create good jobs in rural communities, and keep more dollars right here at home. Please help recognize a deserving gas station or fuel retailer by nominating them for this award.” Retailers receiving strongest consideration for the award will be those who market renewable fuels in innovative and cr

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Snowfall Puts Brakes on Ontario Corn Harvest

The Ontario corn harvest has been halted or delayed because of the first major snowfall of the season earlier this week, according to the latest weekly update from Grain Farmers of Ontario on Thursday.