(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday March 11, 2020

Mar 11, 2020 | 10:04 AM

Saskatchewan alpaca breeders hope a new mill in Hafford will lead to expanded sales of alpaca fibre.

Saskatchewan Alpaca Breeders Network treasurer Carol Poole said the Polytechnic Innovative Manufacturing Centre will find new methods to process a certain type of alpaca wool that previously had limited use.

She said alpaca fibre is mainly used for clothing and is known for its warmth.

Poole says the new manufacturing centre mixes lower grade alpaca fibre with flax straw to make a rug yarn.There are about two dozen alpaca breeders in Saskatchewan.

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Canada’s Humane Society wants Ottawa to require better fire protection in barns to help prevent the deaths of many thousands of animals every year.

The society said in a report nearly 750,000 chickens, pigs, cows and other animals have burned to death in barn fires since 2015.

The group said it’s not only tragic for the animals, but hard on the farmers who care for them.

It’s estimated the economic loss is roughly $165 million over the last five years.

The society said sprinkler systems and on-site water storage should be considered for buildings that house animals.

The report said Canada has no rules on fire safety for such buildings.

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Modern genetic technology has provided new tools to control disease on farms.

Dr. John Harding with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine said scientists have been looking at disease resilience or resistance for over 20 years.

He said one of the most historic examples he can remember in his career is the identification of the halothane gene and how it’s used to eliminate porcine stress syndrome from the pig industry.

Harding said the college is now involved with a project in Quebec that looks at resilience to many diseases through a natural challenge model system.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF