By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday October 5, 2021

Oct 5, 2021 | 10:06 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – A vaccine candidate has been found that will block the spread of African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV).

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) prospective vaccine has been shown to prevent and effectively protect both European and Asian bred swine against the current circulating Asian strain of the virus.

Newly published USDA research showed ARS scientists have developed a vaccine with the ability to be commercially produced while still maintaining its vaccine efficacy against Asian ASFV strains when tested in both European and Asian breeds of swine. The findings also show that a commercial partner can replicate experimental level results and prevent the spread of the virus.

ARS researcher Douglas Gladue said previous studies were done under laboratory conditions only in European bred pigs using an ASFV sample, from the initial outbreak.

“We are excited that our team’s research has resulted in promising vaccine results that are able to be repeated on a commercial level, in different pig breeds, and by using a recent ASFV isolate,” Gladue said. “This signals that the live attenuated vaccine candidate could play an important role in controlling the ongoing outbreak threatening the global pork supply.”

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The 2022 FarmTech crop production conference in Edmonton, Alta. will go ahead and offer attendees a hybrid in-person and online model.

The event is being managed by Kiwi Productions. CEO Bryce Lambert said they are working to ensure the best experience for those who plan to attend FarmTech both in person and online.

“Hosting a hybrid event will bring more value for sponsors who help make FarmTech possible and for attendees who prefer joining in virtually,” Lambert said in a news release.

The conference, Jan. 25 and 26, is expected to attract over 70 exhibitors as well as 1,000 in-person, and hundreds of virtual attendees from across the province.

FarmTech will be following all safety protocols mandated by both the province and city of Edmonton.

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Maple Leaf Foods is expanding its production of pre-cooked microwaveable bacon.

The company has completed a $182 million expansion to its Winnipeg prepared meats plant, specifically increasing its bacon production capacity.

The Bacon Centre of Excellence within Maple Leaf is striving to meet the growing customer and consumer demand in the pre-cooked bacon market.

Final commissioning of the 73,000 square-foot expansion is expected to be operational soon with commercial production ramping up over the course of the next few months.

As part of the expansion, Maple Leaf is adding roughly 350 new positions at the plant, bringing total employment to over 1,900 people.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW