Ag Headlines, Tuesday October 13, 2015

Canada Turkey Farmers Fear TPP

Turkey Farmers of Canada, an organization representing Canada’s 500 plus turkey farms, says imports allowed by the Trans-Pacific Partnership will hurt the Canadian turkey industry. The organizations Mark Davies told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation the TPP would open the door to more American imports, and said Canada can’t compete with what he called “U.S. corporate farms.” Davies said “there’s plants down in the States that would process as much in a few weeks or a month than we would in a year,” and that the trade deal would cost Canadian jobs. The Canadian turkey industry is worth $388 million and the Ontario province produces more than 40 percent of nation’s turkey production.

Invasive Pest Threatens Michigan Vegetable Farms

A serious potential threat to Michigan’s vegetable farms was found in five organic production fields. AGProfessional reports the Swede midge, an invasive pest, threatens the state’s cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and other vegetable farms. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Michigan State University AgBioResearch do not know how the pest was introduced into the state. Native to Europe and southwestern Asia, Swede Midge was identified in North America in 2000, when it was first discovered in Ontario, Canada. The first U.S. detection was made in New York in 2004. Since then it has spread to at least seven states and six Canadian provinces. Vegetables are grown on nearly 3,000 farms in Michigan.

Meatless Monday’s introduced in Mexico

The Meatless Monday campaign by Humane Society Internarial has found its way to Mexico. Meatingplace reports a Human Society video featuring a Mexican actor is part of the campaigned aimed at consumers to reduce their meat consumption by choosing meatless meals one day a week. A campaign spokesperson said in a news release “eating less meat is better for animals and also creates less waste and pollution.” The campaign claims current meat consumption in Mexico supports inhumane factory farms that the campaign also claims treat animals like machines.

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