More than 450 industry professionals attended the World Mycotoxin Forum in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in early November to discuss the latest technologies in the field of mold and mycotoxins. The conference brought together leaders in the field of mycotoxin management with the ultimate goal to bring new, innovative solutions to the increasing challenge of mycotoxins.

A shortage of food animal veterinarians in the U.S. is not expected to turn around anytime soon. Nationwide, only 17 percent of vets work in food animal medicine, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. In Minnesota, several rural areas have a shortage of veterinarians who work with livestock, according to the USDA.

Two dairy farmers are among the nine finalists in a nationwide search for farmers and ranchers who will be part of a campaign in 2013 to help connect consumers with the sources of their food. The contest is organized by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). Voting runs through Dec. 15. Last summer, USFRA began a nationwide search for farmers and ranchers who are proud of what they do, want to share their stories of continuous improvement, and are actively involved today in telling those stories.

Randy Blach, vice president for CattleFax, told nearly a thousand cattle producers attending the 100th convention of the Kansas Livestock Association that consumer meat prices will rise to record highs because livestock production has fallen dramatically after ranchers culled animals during this year's drought. The market analyst said roughly 70 percent of the nation's cattle herd has been affected by drought this year, the fourth in a row with drought in at least some key cattle-producing areas.

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) urges producers to ensure their farm or ranch is counted in the 2012 Census of Agriculture, a crucial tool that provides farmers with a voice in the future of their community and operation. Conducted every five years by NASS, the Census is a complete count of the U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them.

A shortage of food animal veterinarians in the U.S. is not expected to turn around anytime soon. Nationwide, only 17 percent of vets work in food animal medicine, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. In Minnesota, several rural areas have a shortage of veterinarians who work with livestock, according to the USDA.

What a more perfect ending to a tremendous week for the Canadian dairy industry than to conclude the 2012 World Holstein Conference with a fantastic National Black and White Holstein Show at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF).

Celebrating its fifth year, the National Red and White Holstein show kicked off the array of dairy shows being held in the Ring of Excellence at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF) on Nov. 8.

What is the best course of action when an invading noxious weed threatens to attack crop yields and assault grazing land? Invite a friend to dinner. In this case, the friend is a plant-eating insect – the stem-mining weevil.

The current issue of the journal Rangelands presents a study of insect biocontrol agents in North Dakota. Fighting weeds with herbicide, tillage and mowing can be costly and labor intensive, while the weevil is a natural enemy.

Aflatoxins are highly toxic carcinogens produced by several species of Aspergillus fungi. But not all Aspergillus produce aflatoxin. Some, in fact, are considered beneficial. One such strain, dubbed K49, is now being recruited to battle these harmful Aspergillus relatives, preventing them from contaminating host crops like corn with the carcinogen.

In collaboration with University of Bologna (UB) scientists in Italy, USDA scientists Hamed Abbas and Bob Zablotowicz (retired) have devised a new method of applying K49 as a frontline defense against aflatoxin contamination in corn, which causes an estimated $200 million annually in U.S. losses alone.