The Farming Community Network’s Post

Algal blooms are getting worse on the Wye. This is a symptom of eutrophication and an increase in extreme flows of the river. But lack of data means there is disagreement over the causes leading to denial in some sectors and funds being spent ineffectively. Algal blooms reduce recreational opportunities and can be toxic to livestock and pets. In humans, they can cause rashes after skin contact and illness. This is affecting the local economy. This campaign is to fund the final year of a 3 year PhD project at Cardiff University determining the biological community of the rivers' algae and cyanobacteria to identify the conditions that generate toxic blooms. Once we have that knowledge we can implement effective mitigation measures, to protect the plants and animals in the river and increase the recreational opportunities. Click on the link below to donate today and the Big Give will double your donation. https://lnkd.in/e7dtmG_V   #GreenMatchFund with the @biggiveorg begins today! #RiverHealth #ArtAndScience #2for1Nature  #ecology #nature #ukrivers 

A new study published in the journal Nature has revealed a number of high-risk viruses circulating on fur farms in China. Fur farms are breeding grounds for zoonotic diseases, and this research further highlights the pandemic risks of farming animals for their fur. Fur-farmed animals, such as minks and foxes, are known to be hosts for a number of human viruses including influenza and SARS-CoV-2. The study, Farmed fur animals harbour viruses with zoonotic spillover potential, investigated the viruses circulating on fur farms by testing hundreds of animal samples across China’s fur farm sector. The researchers identified, “125 virus species, including 36 that were novel and 39 at potentially high risk of cross-species transmission, including zoonotic spillover.” These findings demonstrate the risk that fur farming poses to public health and the potential for fur farms to cause infectious disease outbreaks among humans. The researchers call for greater surveillance on fur farming operations, and one of the scientists who worked on the study goes even further. In statements to media, study co-author Virologist Edward Holmes stated that the global fur farming industry needs to end: “Personally, I think the fur farming industry globally should be closed down . . . I strongly believe that the wildlife trade was responsible for the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and I think that the related fur farming trade could easily result in another pandemic virus." Read more about this study, the current situation in Canada, and how you can make an impact now: https://buff.ly/4esAcpJ #endfurfarming #BCPoli #CDNPoli #onehealth #furfarms

Read our analysis of the concerning #H5N1 avian #influenza situation

Nice article published in Scientific American yesterday. I'm quoted at the end, offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against #CWD. Our Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach (MNPRO) lab now has one of the largest RT-QuIC throughput capacities in the world, we are learning so much about the assay and how it can be leveraged. Research findings made over the past few decades, must be translated to real-world applications ASAP if we are going to succeed in protecting cervid health and the wide array of economic sectors negatively impacted by the disease. The discoveries made in MNPRO, the new protocols, inventions, etc. must be made widely available. This is what Priogen Corp is doing. Game-changing options for managing CWD are available now, from environmental surveillance to live-animal testing. We are partnering with multiple stakeholders to make the impossible possible. https://lnkd.in/gPhzxmtf

Algal blooms are getting worse on the Wye. This is a symptom of eutrophication and an increase in extreme flows of the river. But lack of data means there is disagreement over the causes leading to denial in some sectors and funds being spent ineffectively. Algal blooms reduce recreational opportunities and can be toxic to livestock and pets. In humans, they can cause rashes after skin contact and illness. This is affecting the local economy. This campaign is to fund the final year of a 3 year PhD project at Cardiff University determining the biological community of the rivers' algae and cyanobacteria to identify the conditions that generate toxic blooms. Once we have that knowledge we can implement effective mitigation measures, to protect the plants and animals in the river and increase the recreational opportunities. Please click on the link to donate and the Big Give will DOUBLE your donation https://lnkd.in/ebK3z6z8     #GreenMatchFund with the @biggiveorg begins today! #RiverHealth #ArtAndScience #2for1Nature  #ecology #nature #ukrivers   

The residents of Kitui County, Kenya, are increasingly threatened by venomous snakebites as deforestation and climate change drive snakes closer to human settlements. This escalating issue has profound impacts on both human and livestock health, with many families facing devastating medical and financial burdens. In collaboration with the Kenya Snakebite Research and Intervention Centre (KSRIC), Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is at the forefront of developing new, more effective antivenoms. This critical research aims to significantly reduce snakebite fatalities and improve treatment outcomes across East Africa. Our joint efforts not only focus on creating life-saving treatments but also on enhancing community education on snakebite prevention and first aid. Together, we strive to mitigate the impact of climate change on human-wildlife conflict and safeguard the well-being of vulnerable communities. Read more about this initiative and how it's making a difference: https://lnkd.in/eQwyTwGM

Nammex has been proud to collaborate with US Pharmacopeia by donating validated reference materials and assistance with technical matters related to the development of further monographs for both #cordyceps species and fungal organism parts. Onward and upward, just like these #mushrooms. Learn more here about how this impacts https://lnkd.in/gmfNTSat

Please support Flight of the Vultures if you can: https://lnkd.in/egNKdWsQ Have you ever considered what our world would look like without nature's most efficient disease control agents? Imagine a world where deadly diseases spread unchecked, the stench of rotting carcasses fills the air, and lives are lost to preventable illnesses. This isn’t fiction—it’s happening now due to the rapid decline of an animal, nature’s most effective disease control agents. With International Vulture Awareness Day celebrated on September 7th, this is the perfect time to launch our project and highlight the critical implications of their decline for humanity. Vultures play a crucial role in our ecosystems by consuming dead animals that would otherwise become breeding grounds for deadly pathogens. Their decline has already led to catastrophic consequences: - 500,000 lives lost in India due to rabies after vulture populations collapsed. - A staggering $50 billion in public health costs per year in India. - A surge in diseases like tuberculosis as ecosystems destabilize. Flight of the Vultures is on a mission to save these critical birds and prevent a global health crisis, but we need your help. Join the Fight: Crowdfunding Launches September 6, 2024 Your support will enable us to: - Produce a 10-part documentary series with BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4, spotlighting the vulture crisis. - Embark on a global expedition to gather crucial data and advocate for these birds. - Launch a social media campaign to drive global awareness and action. How you can help From everyday supporters to industry experts, we need a diverse group of people and organisations to join us in this fight. Here’s how you can be part of this mission: - Individual Supporters: Whether you’re donating, spreading the word, or joining our community, your voice matters. - Corporate Partners: Businesses have the power to drive change—through funding, influence, and outreach. - Influencers and Public Figures: Help us amplify our message and bring awareness to new audiences. - Educational Programs (Schools and Universities): Inspire the next generation to care for our planet by getting involved in our educational initiatives. - Creatives: Storytellers, artists, filmmakers: Help us bring this mission to life and inspire change through your craft. Why This Matters Without vultures, we face a public health nightmare, billions in economic losses, and the unravelling of entire ecosystems. Your support can turn the tide and ensure a safer, healthier world for all. Support the Campaign → https://lnkd.in/egNKdWsQ

Don't miss our webinar on Dutch Elm Disease and Resistance on August 21, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm CDT. Hear from experts Benjamin Held and Ryan Murphy on the latest strategies to combat DED and preserve resistant elm genotypes. Register today! #Webinar #DutchElmDisease #ElmResistance #PlantPathology #MinnesotaForests

Did you know that unchecked BVD cases cost between £13-£31 per animal? Beyond the financial impact, BVD compromises immunity, paving the way for issues like Infertility, Abortion, and Respiratory problems. 🔍 Spot the unseen threat and take a proactive step towards eradication by screening your herd for BVD! Introducing Igenity Extra—the UK's first combined Genomic and BVD test from a single sample. (Accredited for both the Scotland and England eradication schemes) 🧬 Screen your herd with Igenity and gain early insights into any BVD positive animals, in addition to unlocking your herd's genetic potential through obtaining their genomic results. Manage health and genetic potential in one powerful package! 👉 Discover the future of herd management: info.neogen.com/3SaYQ6e