Ruminant News from World

Herbs and spices cut methane emissions from ruminants

Research carried out at Newcastle University has found that coriander and turmeric - spices traditionally used to flavour curries - can reduce the amount of methane produced by bacteria in a sheep's stomach by up to 40 per cent.

• Continue reading • Comments (0)

EU, US Find New Path for Beef Hormone Dispute

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton have agreed in principle on a way forward in the long-running dispute over hormone-treated beef.

• Continue reading • Comments (0)

Genetic Diversity is Key to Creating Future Breeds

CANADA - A researcher with the University of Manitoba suggests maintaining the genetic diversity of Canada's cattle herd is key to ensuring the ability to develop breeds suited to changing environmental conditions or production practices.

As part of a national initiative to catalogue Canadian cattle genetic resources scientists with the University Manitoba's Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada plan to characterize the genetics of the Canadienne for comparison to dairy and beef breeds more commonly found in Canada, writes Bruce Cochrane, University of Manitoba.

• Continue reading • Comments (0)

The Shared Behavioural Genes of Humans and Cows

Some of the genes thought to cause behavioural problems in humans may also cause temperamental behaviour in cattle. A new $1.35M Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries research project will look at how to switch that gene off in a bid to boost the beef industry.

• Continue reading • Comments (0)

Russia Widens Ban on Meat Imports

In the wake of the 'swine flu' crisis, Russia has extended its ban on meat imports. For poultry meat, the ban now covers five US states although there is no evidence whatever that humans can become infected with the flu virus from any meat.

Bloomberg reports that Russia has now banned imports of US pork from 13 states and halted shipments of beef and poultry from five of them, following the outbreak of swine flu. China, Kazakhstan and St Lucia also imposed pork bans.

• Continue reading • Comments (0)