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Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday September 14, 2022

Sep 14, 2022 | 10:38 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – Progress is still being made to find a new African Swine Fever vaccine despite a setback in Vietnam.

Swine Health Information Center Executive Director Dr. Paul Sundberg said a vaccine, developed by USDA’s Ag Research Service, was being tested in Vietnam. The license for further testing has been suspended after pigs that had been vaccinated died.

“In Vietnam 600 pigs were vaccinated, and within a very short time after vaccination, there were about 100 of them that had died, and another 400 out of those 600 had what was termed to be a vaccine reaction,” Sundberg said. “We’re awaiting testing and investigation into what happened in that province.”

Sundberg said initial reports indicated the vaccine’s efficacy was very high and safety studies were also very promising. He said although this is a setback there are other vaccines under development including a second gene-deleted vaccine developed by USDA.

The federal government is providing $1.4 million for a clean technology initiative.

SixRing Inc. will use the money for the next development phase of the company’s low-energy biomass conversion process that converts agricultural waste into renewable fuels and sustainable advanced materials.

SixRing Inc. CEO and Chair Clay Purdy said the money will be used to accelerate their crop-based feedstock research.

“We look forward to supporting our agricultural industry by generating new avenues of revenue from these crop waste products while allowing for greater access to low carbon-intensity, non-food-based sustainable fuels including SAF, Diesel, and Gasoline,” Purdy said.

The funds come from the government’s Agricultural Clean Technology Program which supports initiatives that advance the bioeconomy, improves the bottom line for farmers, and lowers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank and other Canadian aid agencies are launching an appeal to raise funds and rush emergency assistance to people affected by flooding in Pakistan.

Executive director Andy Harrington of Canadian Foodgrains Bank said Pakistan has been devastated.

“We are deeply concerned for people in Pakistan who have lost so much,” he said. “We’re grateful that we already have trusted partners on the ground who we have been working with for many years. We are supporting them as they respond with diligent compassion and care.”

The federal government will match donations to the Humanitarian Coalition and its member charities up to $3 million until Sept. 28.

Community World Service Asia, the local partner of Foodgrains Bank, and Presbyterian World Service & Development responded immediately to the crisis in Pakistan. Donations in support made since Aug.1 are also eligible for government matching.

Canadians can give to Pakistan flood relief at www.together.ca or by calling 1-855-461-2154.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW

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