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Newsletter
- Summer 2003
Message from Murray Bast
Welcome to our summer newsletter. I would like to remind everyone that
our Annual Open House is fast approaching on July 9th 2003. We look forward
to seeing all of you there. This year look for something different! For more
information please look at the flyer mailed along with this newsletter.
In this newsletter, we take a look at Bt Corn, which has been a subject of
discussion at many of our seminars as well as in some of our past newsletters. Bio-Ag has taken a firm stance against the use of Bt corn since its inception. We have attempted to educate the public on a recent new finding that attacks the very center of reasoning for using Bt corn. I urge you to read the article, digest it and see what other parts of the world are finding.
We also will discuss ways of improving the quality of your hay or forage in this issue and you won't want to miss this informative article.
An aged farmer and his wife were leaning against the edge of their pigpen when the old woman wistfully
recalled that the next week would mark their golden wedding anniversary. "Let's have a party, Homer," she suggested. "Let's kill a pig."
The farmer scratched his grizzled head. "Gee, Ethel," he finally
answered, "I don't see why the pig should take the blame for something
that happened fifty years ago!"
Bt Corn - Help or Hindrance?
As Bt corn was being introduced into the market years ago, many critics of genetically modified organisms (GMO=B9s) and advocates for the environment began to question whether or not the genetically engineered (GE) corn varieties were really as effective and safe as they claimed to be. Now several years later the verdict is in, and there is even more disturbing new research that points to the conclusion that the environmentalists (and Bio-Ag) had stated all along.
Bt corn is genetically engineered which means that it is manufactured by inserting a gene from one species to the next, a phenomena that before recent scientific breakthroughs would not be possible in nature. In the case of Btcorn, the corn is equipped with a gene that is extracted from a naturally occurring poison, Bacillus thuringiensis. Bacillus thuringiensis had already been widely used by farmers as a pesticide prior to the innovation of being able to insert a gene from it into corn. The multinationals that patented and marketed Bt crops equipped with the toxin, made claims that the crops would
kill insects and keep them away without the use of other pesticides. However, since the wide spread use of Bt corn, we are seeing that not only are the
bugs becoming resistant, they are also not being kept away without other pesticides.
The sales and the bottom line of agricultural pesticides have been steadily
increasing, an indicator that the industry is using more and more pesticides. This is despite the fact that the innovation of Bt corn was supposed to reduce pesticide use. As if the increased pesticide use and resistant bugs
weren't bad enough, there is now convincing new research that shows that not only are we not hurting the critters, we are actually feeding them.
A study carried out this year by scientists at the Imperial College London and the Universidad Simon Rodrigues in Caracas, Venezuela found that "Bt transgenic crops have nutritionally favourable effects on some resistant pests". Meaning that resistant bugs can actually use the poisonous toxin found in Bt corn as a food, and that the crops instead of controlling the bugs like the multinationals would have us believe, are actually helping
the bugs to thrive. The study discovered that pests were using the toxin as
a "supplementary food" and that they "are able to digest and
utilize" it, adding that the gene "could have modified the nutritional balance in the plants" for the pests.
It took us this long to realize that the effect we have on the nutritional
value of food will change with genetic modifications that we make. How much
longer will it take to realize that tampering with time tested nature can have disastrous results?
This news is very upsetting but not altogether surprising and asks the question, what other "unanticipated effects" will genetically modified products have on the health of our animals, our crops, and us? It is about
time that we make positive and lasting changes in agriculture that do not include GE foods. Farmers need to speak out and demand better research from the companies that produce these products, and from government agencies that approve them. Maybe most importantly, it's time for consumers to demand mandatory labeling of all GE food products for the benefit and safety of people who wish to make well-informed purchases.
To obtain a copy of the study quoted in
this article visit:
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/story.jsp?story=3D392044<=
BR>
Or contact our head office for a copy.
Improving the Quality of your Hay or Forage
Right now is the time of the season that decisions are being made which directly impact on the quality of your hay or forage. Feeds of poor quality can have many adverse health effects. Increased herd health problems in the past several years have been noted at Bio-Ag, which when further investigated can often link back to poor feeds. This article will address some factors that influence the quality of forages, specifically reviewing the stage of maturity at harvest, moisture levels and the use of additives.
STAGE OF HARVEST
Deciding what stage to harvest is more than just having the weather cooperate the farm operator has to determine the optimum stage of the plant's life to harvest it. Determining that stage is quite simple the plant is
ready when it enters the mature reproduction stage. It used to be farmers waited far too long to harvest hay. Around the late 60's, the trend became one of cutting earlier and earlier, maximizing the number of cuts. This decision of modern times is causing problems. When the grass is cut
prematurely, it is still in a growth stage, which has corresponding high levels of estrogen levels far too high for healthy forage later. Elevated levels of the hormone estrogen can be responsible for interference with the reproductive cycle, meaning your animals may have difficulty conceivin. The estrogen levels are high in premature legumes because it is still
in the growth stage, having yet to switch into the reproductive mode that lowers the estrogen levels.
The second reason to consider waiting longer to cut is that during the growth stage, the plant is still working towards reaching the optimum level of mineral elements. By measuring the sugar levels of the plant, you can arrive
at the quantity of minerals in the plant. As a general rule of thumb, as the
sugars go up in the plant so do the minerals, because of the symbiotic relationship between the two. The higher the levels, the more physiologically mature the plant is found to be (a simplified explanation given the creation process is very infinite, but for our purposes, valid).
The last reason to wait a little longer is that those feeds cut too early, before the sugar levels are high enough in the cells of the plant, tend to improperly ferment in storage. Proper fermentation is a key to animal acceptance, palatability and nutritional quality of the feed later. Bad fermentation means that the amount of lactic acid will be quite significantly lower than the amount of acetic acid, butyric, isobutyric or propionic acids. High acetic acid levels imply a slow or prolonged fermentation and a corresponding
excessive loss of energy. High levels of butyric, isobutyric or propionic acids will reduce the dry matter intake and animal performance when fed. Animals forced to eat bad forages can have serious problems with how their
body digests, absorbs, and assimilates feed. This can result in all kinds of
problems especially in the dairy, sheep and goat industries.
To test the sugar levels in your legumes or forages, you can do a sugar or brix reading using an instrument called a "refractometer". This instrument costs about $250 and several farmers could pool together to share this tool. To test for proper fermentation after harvest , you can check the fermentation pathway using a Volatile Fatty Acid
Test. This test will show farmers the levels of dry matter, moisture, pH, Ammonia, Acetic, Butyric, Isobutyric, Lactic, and Propionic Acids. This test is offered through Bio-Ag's Head Office and costs $45.00 per sample.
MOISTURE LEVELS
The second influencing factor in your feed's quality is proper moisture
levels. Too high a moisture content may lead to excessive protein breakdown
and too high of an acid level. Too low a moisture level may lead to an unstable forage mass, leading to yeast and mold problems. Molds in feeds can cause quite serious problems in ruminant animals problems from abortions to infertility, and even feminization of males or lowering of sperm counts. Monogastric animals such as hogs and horses are so sensitive that it could kill them! If you have problems with molds in your feeds, Bio-Ag can help by providing a mold inhibitor for your feed such as Redmond Conditioner or Bentonite,as well as feeding Kelp Meal and Black Earth. These products will help animals to detoxify.
USE OF FEED ADDITIVES
Good forage/feed depends upon good fermentation. This means your management practices in terms of silo and especially bunk storage go a long way towards meeting this goal, as well as help in the control of mold and toxins that can occur in your silo and in your hay harvest. Part of your management could include a forage additive, for your dry hay, haylage, or silage. Several farmers and custom operators have had excellent success using either Bio-Lac or Bio-Lac/Kelp Mix as a feed additive when harvesting. On dry hay, the combination has been found to help save it from spoiling or going moldy as quickly. The natural hormones found in Kelp Meal inhibit the growth of some molds in the hay. In silage, the Bio-Lac aids in the fermentation process. Contact Head Office or our dealers for more information on this.
It pays to pay attention to the quality of your forage. Poor quality feeds can be responsible for sick and dying livestock, with corresponding high veterinarian bills. Understanding that many of the things we do now in present-day decisions have long-term implications and repercussions can help us be more effective and profitable in farming. At Bio-Ag, our philosophy of "Working with Nature~Naturally" means proper nutrition, through a properly balanced ration as well as using high quality feeds produced on your own farm. Practicing this can lead to a reduction in health and disease problems, avoiding costly veterinary bills and medications, and making your farm life more enjoyable, productive, and profitable.
Profile of a Dealer, Beth Barg
Beth Barg was born and raised in Scarborough. At eight years old Beth got her first taste of farm life when her sister married a sheep farmer near Wiarton. For the next 11 years, she spent holidays and weekends working on the farm developing a love of farming. She got her very own first sheep in 1985.
Beth has a diploma in Equine Studies from Humber College, a diploma in Farm Operations and Management from the University of Guelph, and is trained as
an acupressure practitioner for people and animals.
From 1995 to 2001 Beth managed an 85 sow farrow to finish barn. After losing 10 litters in a row, the vet came out to visit and recommended vaccinatin
all the animals in the barn, which would have cost five thousand dollars for the first shot alone. Beth decided to consult Murray Bast, owner of Bio-Ag. Together they decided to have the feeds tested for molds. The results revealed a high mold count. Four different mold inhibitors were employed and homeopathic remedies given to increase the immune system of the herd. After recovering, the operation continued to stay on the Bio-Ag program and began feeding Bio-Ag Sow Premix. The operation stayed drug and vet free for the next
three and a half years before the barn was turned into a finishing barn.
Beth had brought 7 sheep with her when she moved to Wellesley Ontario in 1996. By 2001 she had bred 70 ewes mostly all related to the original sheep. Besides sheep, Beth also has some beef cattle, a horse, a llama, and free-range chickens. Beth's sheep flock has always been on accelerated lambing, each ewe lambing at least every 8 months. The ewes that lambed this winter had 87 lambs born with only the 67th lamb being a stillborn.
Beth attributes this success to the fact that they never run out of NTM Salt, Kelp Meal, Bio-Ag Sheep Mineral for the ewes and Bio-Ag Calf Starter for
lambs in the creep area. She also notes that no drugs, chemicals, de-wormers, or vaccines have been used.
Beth became a dealer of Bio-Ag products in September of 2002 and services the area south of Highway 7&8. Beth decided to join ourteam because of her passion to help animals and the farmers who own them. Besides being a Bio-Ag dealer Beth runs a business out of her home called Ewe
To You, which specializes in selling lambs, sheepskins, and chicken. Beth also plans on leading a sheep 4-H club this year and is looking for local children who are interested in joining between the ages of 10-21. Those children without access to sheep should not be discouraged access can be arranged and they are encouraged to participate anyway.
Beth can be reached at home (519) 656-3552
or by e-mail ewe_to_you@porchlight.ca
Quiz - Test Your Medical Knowledge
Take this quiz to see if you are up to date with medical jargon that is sometimes used dealing with homeopathic medicines. WARNING! This quiz isn't for the weak of stomach!
Circle the best answer from the choices below and then match your answers with the correct answers found on the bottom of the page
Dyspepsia
a. Damaged memory
b. Impairment of the power or function of digestion
c. Not self sustaining
2. M=
ucopurulent
a. Containing both mucus and pus
b. A strong odor coming from the mucous membranes
c. Infectious bacteria
3. Catarrh
a. Broken arm
b. Inflammation of the air passages of the head and throat
c. Excessive sleepiness
4) Nephritis
a. Inflammation of the kidney
b. A fetish with noses
c. A skin condition causing itching and bumps
5. Pyometra
a. Addiction to starting fires
b. A kind of fungus
c. Pus found in the uterus
6. Encephalitis
a. Inflammation of the
brain
b. A form of a non contagious skin rash
c. The fear of heights
7. Trituration
a. Jogging
b. Another term for crying
c. To create a whole by mixing, or to rub into a powder
If you answered 6 or more correctly:
Good job! Your wisdom of medical mumbo jumbo is extensive, and you are well on your way to hob knobbing with the pros.
If you answered 3-5 of the questions correctly:
Your knowledge is quite good and you will probably have a general understanding of the homeopathic remedies when you read about them in the Materia Medica. Keep on learning!
If you answered 2 or less correctly:
Your knowledge of medical terms could use a refresher course. Try reading more medical texts and look up words you don't know in a pocket medical dictionary. Remember the more you know, the less you fear!
Answers: 1) b 2) a 3) b 4) a 5) c 6) a 7) c
Homeopathic Reference Books
Due to demand at our recent seminars we have looked into ordering some reference books that work well and are user friendly. If enough interest is generated we will order these books in for our customers. These books are generally used for human needs, but can be applied to the animal kingdom as well. Please call your orders into Head Office. There will be a waiting period of a few weeks for orders. We still have all the McLeod Homeopathic books for Cattle, Swine, Goats, Horse and the Veterinary Materia Medica.
Homeopathic Medical Repertory 2nd ed. by Robin Murphy, ND $125.00
This Repertory was designed to be a modern, practical and easy to use clinical guide to the Homeopathic Materia Medica. This Repertory contains 70 chapters of modern terminology, modern diseases, with 40,000 new rubrics, and 200,000 new additions and updates. 1,946 pp., hb.
Homeopathic Remedy Guide =8B by Robin Murphy, ND $125.00
This is a companion volume to Dr. Murphy's repertory. It has more remedies and is more concise. Remedies contain the major headings Pharmacy, History,
Herbal, Homeopathic, Clinical, Mind, Systems, Comments, Comparisons, Relations, and Sources. Approx. 1,200 remedies. 1,948 pp, hb.
Yasgur's Homeopathic Dictionary and Holistic Health Reference, 4th ed.
by Yasgur, R.Ph., M.Sc. $30.00
This dictionary would make a good companion to Dr. Murphy's books. When you have the right word describing the symptom, it makes it easier to find the right remedy. Approx. 4,500 modern and archaic defined words. 422pp., pb.
Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory
by W. Boericke, MD. $30.00
The classic quick reference manual for a great number of long established homeopathic medicines. It gives a brief sketch of hundreds of rare and common remedies, including those used as tinctures and potencies. Used by beginning and experienced homeopaths. This book has a very brief therapeutic index and repertory. It would be a good quick reference book. 1,108 pp., hb
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