By July 14, the City Council of Harrisonburg, Va. expects a draft of an ordinance that would allow residents to keep egg-laying chickens in their backyards.
Members of the Harrisonburg Backyard Chicken Project initiated the change to allow participation in the "organic food security movement," reported the Rocktownweekly.com.
The impact on property values and the potential for the spread of disease to commercial flocks have been raised as concerns.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Committee approves Food Safety Enhancement Act
Chairman Waxman's and Chairman Emeritus Dingell's Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 received approval from the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The legislation aims to raise FDA's food safety-related authority in the wake of recalls and foodborne illnesses attributable to FDA-regulated products.
The bill will next move to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
The legislation aims to raise FDA's food safety-related authority in the wake of recalls and foodborne illnesses attributable to FDA-regulated products.
The bill will next move to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Ohio livestock measure slated for ballot
Ohio farm families joined lawmakers to support a measure that would help ensure animal well-being, consumer choice and the availability of Ohio-grown food, according to a Ohio Farm Bureau Federation release.
The Ohio House and Senate Agriculture Committees have passed joint resolutions that will allow Ohio to create a Livestock Care Standards Board to supervise how farm animals are raised.
The Ohio House approved the resolution by a vote of 84-13. The measure will be placed before voters in November.
The Ohio House and Senate Agriculture Committees have passed joint resolutions that will allow Ohio to create a Livestock Care Standards Board to supervise how farm animals are raised.
The Ohio House approved the resolution by a vote of 84-13. The measure will be placed before voters in November.
Friday, June 26, 2009
SAI Platform adds new members
SAI Platform (Sustainable Agriculture Initiative), an organization which supports the development of sustainable agriculture, accepted three new companies as members.
Novus International, provides scientific animal health solutions,
General Mills, the world's sixth-largest food company, and
Cayuga Marketing LLC, comprising 22 farm businesses, markets milk and became involved with other aspects of dairy production.
The new members will be part of SAI Platforms' groups on arable crops, coffee, dairy, fruit, water and agriculture.
SAI Platform is dedicated to supporting agricultural practices and agricultural production systems that preserve the future availability of current resources and enhance their efficiency.
Novus International, provides scientific animal health solutions,
General Mills, the world's sixth-largest food company, and
Cayuga Marketing LLC, comprising 22 farm businesses, markets milk and became involved with other aspects of dairy production.
The new members will be part of SAI Platforms' groups on arable crops, coffee, dairy, fruit, water and agriculture.
SAI Platform is dedicated to supporting agricultural practices and agricultural production systems that preserve the future availability of current resources and enhance their efficiency.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
EU approves new rules for animal slaughter
European farm ministers have given their assent to new rules to lessen the suffering of animals during slaughter, Morning Star reported.
Slaughterhouses will be required to include animal welfare in their design, monitor techniques for stunning before slaughter and ensure the animals are unconscious when they are killed.
The law also requires all staff at the abattoirs to be trained and certified. An animal welfare officer will also be appointed. The rules take effect in 2013.
Slaughterhouses will be required to include animal welfare in their design, monitor techniques for stunning before slaughter and ensure the animals are unconscious when they are killed.
The law also requires all staff at the abattoirs to be trained and certified. An animal welfare officer will also be appointed. The rules take effect in 2013.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Research links temperature, broiler breeder performance
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed an equation specifying how a broiler breeder's maintenance energy requirement fluctuates as a function of four variables: body weight, weight gain, external temperature and age, according to a Poultry Science Association report.
The goal of the research, which has been underwritten by poultry breeding company Aviagen, seeks to optimize reproductive performance of broiler breeders by controlling their growth curves through feed allocations, based on weather forecasts.
According to lead researcher Dr. Martin Zuidhof, the team has made progress in quantifying the relationship between feed, body temperature and external temperature, thereby understanding better the energy required by the breeder for growth at various temperatures.
Dr. Zuidhof will present the results at the 2009 PSA Annual Meeting, to be held on July 20-23.
The goal of the research, which has been underwritten by poultry breeding company Aviagen, seeks to optimize reproductive performance of broiler breeders by controlling their growth curves through feed allocations, based on weather forecasts.
According to lead researcher Dr. Martin Zuidhof, the team has made progress in quantifying the relationship between feed, body temperature and external temperature, thereby understanding better the energy required by the breeder for growth at various temperatures.
Dr. Zuidhof will present the results at the 2009 PSA Annual Meeting, to be held on July 20-23.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Pilgrim's on track for bankruptcy exit
Pilgrim's Pride reported an operating profit of $16.74 million in May after one of $13.92 million in April. The company is not planning any further cuts in production after reducing output 9-10% earlier this year, a Reuters report said.
Pilgrim's Pride is still on track for exiting bankruptcy later this year, according to CEO Don Jackson.
Pilgrim's Pride is still on track for exiting bankruptcy later this year, according to CEO Don Jackson.
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