Introduction

The Oz weeding robot helps farmers during weeding and hoeing operations to increase their profitability while respecting the environment. It is designed to improve working conditions and reduce your daily workload. Oz is entirely autonomous but you can also guide it to go wherever you need.

Manufacturer of Oz Weeding Robot

Oz Weedig robot is manufactured by Naïo-Technologies based in France.

Benefits of Oz weeding robot

It saves farmers time on weeding

Oz an autonomous robotic weeder weeds and hoes your plot all by itself with no supervision required. You can now focus on more important tasks.
The time you used to spend on weeding (manually, mechanically or chemically) can now be used to accomplish other tasks. You’ll have more time to prepare your orders, monitor crop health, work on irrigation, schedule your work, etc.
Oz makes weeding as simple as it should be. Use your remote control to guide Oz to the plot’s starting point. Tell Oz how many rows it needs to weed, how long they are and how far they’re apart and it’s ready to go!
When Oz is done weeding, you’ll receive a text message on your smartphone.
Simple, constant and efficient weeding will allow you to consider new ways to improve your business and, appreciably, leave more time for you and your family.
Oz weeds more efficiently than mechanical or chemical means

Oz helps you accomplish strenuous tasks, such as weeding, hoeing and harvesting.
Oz also allows you to reduce the budget for other supplies : you’ll need less agricultural input, plastic sheeting and less fuel for your tractor or cultivator.
Oz can hoe and weed as frequently as needed, which stimulates water access, sun exposure and liberates essential nutrients for your crop.
Crop productivity will no longer be affected by excess weed. Oz guarantees clean farming plots, which will improve your turnover.
Oz works with a high degree of precision and doesn’t unearth weed seeds that are dormant.
Thanks to frequent weeding and hoeing, you’ll be able to significantly reduce the seed bank needed for your plot.
Oz avoids laborious weeding and spares your health

The Oz robotic weeder saves you from the drudgery of weeding and helps you transport loads during harvesting. It spares your back and limits the risk for musculoskeletal problems, which are a very common injury among farmers.
Oz runs on an electric engine that does not produce exhaust pipe gasses. This advantage is especially appreciable for those who work in greenhouses and are frequently exposed to this type of pollution.
Oz weeds and hoes mechanically and therefore avoids exposure to toxic herbicides as opposed to chemical weed control.
Oz is eco-friendly and respects your soils and crops

Oz is a light-weight robot that respects your soil and plots during weeding and hoeing, even when it works the ground frequently.
Oz only slightly compacts soil and preserves soil structure with the help of its passive weeding tools.
Oz can weed as often as you like. This not only helps to air the soil and stimulate biological activity, it also allows the ground to heat up faster in winter.
One weeding session is worth 2 watering sessions : when Oz hoes and weeds frequently, water loss through evaporation is limited .


Product Features

Size & Weight

Size without tools: Width 40cm, Height 60cm, Length 100cm (130cm tool carrier included).
Ground clearance: 7cm.
Weight batteries included: 110kg without tools / 150kg with tools and weights.


Power & Autonomy

4 electric engines of 110W each.
4 mounted driving wheels
Tires :
quad-style studded tires or
tractor-style tires depending on your type of soil.
Maximum load on top of the robot: 90kg if Oz is not working the soil simultaneously.
Maximum tow weight : 300kg if Oz is not working the soil simultaneously.
Remote control : 7h autonomy, 10m reach without obstacles.
24V lead batteries (2 x 12V, 80A/H) of Lithium batteries (2 x 12V – 40 to 100 A/H depending on the autonomy)
Work autonomy: 3 hours (on lead batteries) and 4 to 10 hours (on Lithium batteries).
Charging:
manual charging by connecting the charger to the charging plug.
possibility to quickly change batteries in between sessions to have Oz rapidly continue its work (<5 minutes).
Battery life :
400 charging cycles (lead batteries)
2000 charging cycles (Lithium batteries)
Lithium batteries are optional to increase autonomy.
Use & Storage

Required training before use : 3 hours of training.
Storage temperature : -10°C / 50°C.
Required temperature during use : 5°C / 40°C.
IP 64 Protection : resistant to dust and water projections (no high pressure cleaning).
Maximum authorized slope : 10%.
Maximum moving speed : 1,3km/h (100m in less than 5min.). In 4 hours, Oz can weed 48 rows of 100m each.
Communication with user via text message (coverage required).


Manual mode:
The robot is directly guided by the user with the help of a wireless remote control.
Tract and follow mode:
Oz can follow you around and transport loads. The robot is also able to tow a small farm trailer to help you during harvesting or assist you during heavy or strenuous work.
Autonomous mode:
In autonomous mode, Oz follows the crop rows of the plot and guides itself. Oz can weed all your crop rows without human supervision. To guide the robot automatically in autonomous mode :

crops need to have leaves or be placed on mounds of at least 10 cm height.
in between rows a strip between 55cm to 120cm wide is required.
At both ends of the plot, Oz requires a strip of clean earth of mowed lawn that’s about 250 cm wide to be able to turn around and start on the next row autonomously.


The Oz robotic weeder comes with a configuration unit that allows you to pick the right operating mode for you. The unit will also ask you to enter specific information on the plot Oz is required to weed (number of rows, plot size, etc).



When in autonomous mode, the robotic weeder will send a text message to inform its owner when it finishes weeding. It is also capable of detecting potential anomalies during work (obstacles, blocked tools, errors in row length…), in which case it will use text messages to send alerts. The text message function is only available when network coverage is available.

Plowshare : for weeding between rows, work width 40 to 60cm.
Comb harrow : for in-row, inter-row and mound weeding, work width 40 to 80cm.
Weeding brush : for in-row weeding, 3 to 5 cm into the crop.
Spring harrow : for the in-row weeding of crops with solid taproots.
Spring tine harrow : width 20cm.
Straight harrow : used to break slaking crusts.
Oz farm trailer.
Rolling work chair .
Rolling work chair .


For more information visit naio-technologies.com.

Source:http:[url]//theprofarmer.com/review-autonomous-oz-weeding-robot/[/url]

Our Overview
Breeders Choice Dog Food offers complete nutrition for all dog breeds & stages of development with high quality ingredients. It comes in a wide variety of flavours and formats with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives added.

Manufacturer’s Information

Breeders Choice dog food is manufactured in the UK and comes in nine Adult and two Puppy variants, in three formats.

Formulas Breeders Choice (Canned) Offer
Beef & Vegetables In Gravy
Chicken & Vegetables In Gravy
Lamb & Vegetables In Gravy
Chicken & Vegetables In Gravy For Puppies
Beef & Vegetable Meat Loaf
Chicken & Vegetable Meat Loaf
Lamb & Vegetable Meat Loaf
Chicken With Rice & Vegetables Meat Loaf For Puppies
Beef Chunks With Tasty Jelly
Chicken Chunks With Tasty Jelly
Lamb Chunks With Tasty Jelly




For this review we choose Chicken With Rice & Vegetables Meat Loaf

For Puppies and Beef Chunks With Tasty Jelly to represent the other variants





Chicken With Rice & Vegetables Meat Loaf For Puppies

Composition: Meat & animal derivatives (Chicken 4%), cereals (Rice 4%), vegetables, derivatives of vegetable origin & minerals .

Nutritional Additives (per kg): Vitamins: Vitamin A 2,250 IU, Vitamin D3 328 IU, Vitamin E 26 mg.

Trace Elements: Zinc sulphate monohydrate 67 mg, Ferrous sulphate monohydrate 42mg, Cupric sulphate pentahydrate 10 mg, Manganous sulphate 6.3 mg, Calcium iodate anhydrous 0.71 mg, Sodium selenite 0.09 mg.



Guaranteed Analysis

Protein 10%

Oils & Fats 8%

Fibre 0.3%

Ash 2%

Moisture 80%



Beef Chunks With Tasty Jelly

Composition: Meat & Animal Derivatives (Beef 4%), Derivatives of Vegetable Origin and Minerals.

Nutritional Additives (per kg): Vitamins: Vitamin A 2,250 IU, Vitamin D3 328 IU, Vitamin E 26 mg.

Trace Elements: Zinc sulphate monohydrate 67 mg, Ferrous sulphate monohydrate 42mg, Cupric sulphate pentahydrate 10 mg, Manganous sulphate 6.3 mg, Calcium iodate anhydrous 0.71 mg, Sodium selenite 0.09 mg.

Guaranteed Analysis

Protein 8%

Oils & Fats 6%

Fibre 0.4%

Ash 3%

Moisture 80%



Ingredients Analysis

The list of ingredients used include meat and animal derivatives which is all the fleshy parts of slaughtered warm-blooded land animals, fresh or preserved by appropriate treatment, and all products and derivatives of the processing of the carcass or parts of the carcass of warm-blooded land animals".

The 4% declaration is a legal labelling requirement which represents the minimum percentage content of the characterising ingredient guaranteed to be present by the manufacturer.

The presence of this ingredient is not necessarily a bad thing as it encompasses all meats, from the very best to the very worst.

Some times dog food manufacturers use broad terms like this to conceal their 'secret formula' and some imported foods list very high quality meat as 'meat and animal derivatives' simply because the laws or customs in their home country are different.

The second nutrient I want to clarify is derivatives of vegetable origin, this ingredient is gotten from treatment of vegetable products, cereals, legumes and oil seed. This is not necessarily a bad nutrient, rather the vagueness allows the manufacturer to change formula from one batch to another depending on what vegetable products are available at the time.



Recall History

There are no Breeders Choice Dog Food recall actions listed on the FDA website


Breeders Choice Consumer Info
Where can I buy Breeder’s Choice?
You may be asking, “Where can I buy Breeder’s Choice Dog Food?”. Here is a list of places it can be obtained in Nigeria

Mandarin Supermarket Apapa
ShopRite outlets all over Nigeria
JustRite Supermarket outlets
Park'N"Shop outlets
How much Breeders Choice should I feed my dog?
A common question that many pet owners have, is “How much Breeder’s Choice dog food should I feed my dog?”. Since the answer is dependent on several factors such as your dog’s age, weight, activity level, etc it is best to always follow the specific instructions on your formula’s packaging.

On a Final Note
While Breeders Choice Dog Food is a trusted name in the dog food industry, there are some concerning factors to take note of before purchasing this dog food.

Some of the ingredients used in manufacturing Breeders Choice dog food are vaguely stated and the whole ingredients used are not stated, this does not mean that the food is not good enough for your dog.

The dog food is good judging from the guaranteed analysis and the country of manufacture.
Source:http:[url]//petsarena.com.ng/2017/12/review-breeders-choice-dog-foodcanned/[/url]

Alcatraz005:


It is a tit for tat Cold War and I am happy the PDP has been destroyed. Atiku is just unlucky to have associated with the PDP at this point when the igbos doubled down on their “i before others” politics in the one time biggest political party in Africa. He has lost the 2019 elections before the first poll was even casted.

The media industrial complex of the SW will go into overdrive to demystify the easterners who we have helped over the years. The 2019 showdown has just begun.

Igbos are not interested in the presidency of Nigeria.Yoruba/Igbo mutual hatred and disrespect favours the Hausa/Fulanis so much.Its a shame to the South who will be continued to be ruled by the North and will continue to play the second fiddle.We will continue to remain at the mercy of the North politically.

The Republic of Korea released US$9M for the development of a rice industry in the central region in Ghana

Following the recommendations by a group of rice experts from Korea, the particular region has been selected as having the potential to produce sufficient rice to feed the citizens of Ghana as well as for export, according to Ghaphic.

This was announced by Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, minister of food and agriculture in Ghana, during the fourth Ghana National Rice Festival held in Accra. He said that after assessing all the 10 regions in the country, the industry experts had expressed the view that the central region was more endowed.

Ghana depends on rice import immensely to meet the domestic demand and the import value of rice in Ghana has escalated eight-fold in last eight years, from US$152mn in 2007 to US$1.2bn in 2014 and 2015.

“In the same period, the volume of rice imports climbed from 441,000MT to 630,000MT,” Akoto said to the source.

Given the statistics, Akoto stated that such huge increase in import value in rice affect the country’s trade balance as well as make Ghana vulnerable to the global price increases and supply shortages in the rice market.

With this investment from Korea, Ghana hopes to promote vibrant agribusiness in the country, achieving food security and creating jobs for its citizen.
http://theprofarmer.com/south-korea-releases-us9m-develop-ghanas-rice-industry/

Scientists in China have developed a variety of rice that can be grown in seawater, potentially creating enough food for 200 million people.

Researchers have been trying to grow the grain in salty water for decades but have only now developed varieties that could be commercially viable.

The rice was grown in a field near the Yellow Sea coastal city of Qingdao in China’s eastern Shandong province.

200 different types of the grain were planted to investigate which would grow best in salty conditions.

The scientists expected to produce 4.5 tonnes of rice per hectare but the crops exceeded expectations, in one case delivering up to 9.3 tonnes per hectare.

There are one million square kilometres of land in China where crops do not grow because of the high salt level. Scientists hope the development of the new rice will allow some of these areas to be used for agriculture.

If even a tenth of these areas were planted with rice, they could produce 50 million tonnes of food – enough to feed 200 million people and boost China’s rice production by 20 percent.
Source:http://[url]theprofarmer.com/chinese-scientists-develop-rice-can-grow-salt-water/[/url]

Introduction

The Caucasus mountains are home to one of the oldest living Molosser breeds, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

There is a great variety of types among the Caucasian dogs depending on their home region, but a single type has come to be favored in the show rings and literature, at the expense of other breed variants. Although its first official Show-Ring appearance outside the Caucasus was in the 1930s in Germany, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has existed since ancient times.

. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a fully standardized breed recognized by major kennel organizations, including the American Kennel Club, Fédération Cynologique Internationale, and the United Kennel Club.





Breed Standard of Caucasian Ovcharka

HEAD /CRANIAL REGION

The head must be large, massive, and broad in cheekbones; when viewed from above the head should look like a wedge with broad base.

Skull: Caucasian Ovarchka has massive and broad; forehead is almost flat, with a marked but not deep furrow. Superciliary ridges are developed, but not protruding. Occipital bone inconspicuous.

Stop: This should be noticeable but not clearly marked.



FACIAL REGION

Nose: Caucasian ovarchka has black, large, with correct open nostrils, not proceeding the muzzle outline. A black nose in solid, spotted or piebald colours is desirable but not obligatory (but genetic blue or liverbrown nose is not allowed).

Muzzle: The muzzle should be broad and deep, gradually tapering towards the nose; with strong jaws and chin; great depth and is well filled under the eyes. The bridge of the nose is broad. The upper lines of the muzzle and skull run parallel.

Image result for muzzle of a caucasian shepherd

Lips: Must be thick, close-fitting, well pigmented.

Jaw / Teeth: Teeth should be healthy, white, strong; incisors should be close to each other and in one line. Complete scissor or pincer bite: (i.e.42 teeth). Injured, broken or knocked out incisors or canines which do not affect the use of the bite is of no consequence, neither is absence of PM1s.

Cheeks: Well developed and emphasized by well pronounced chewing muscles.

Eyes: Moderate size, oval in shape, not too deep set, wide and obliquely placed. The colour is different shades of brown from dark to hazelnut. Eyelids are black, dry and close-fitting. Expression is serious, attentive and inquisitive.

Ears: Caucasian Sheepdog has moderate sized ears that are thick, triangular shape naturally pendant, high and wide set. Inner part of ear is close lying to the cheeks. Ears are traditionally cropped in country of origin. Natural ears are of equal value.

NECK

The neck should be of medium length, powerful, low set; rounded in the crosssection. Crest is pronounced especially in males.

BODY

Caucasian sheep dog has a very well developed body in all dimensions; broad, well-muscled and well balanced.

Withers: The withers are well pronounced, moderately long. The height at the withers slightly exceeds the height over the rump.

Back: The back is straight, broad, firm. Loin: Short, broad, slightly arched.

Croup: Moderately long, broad, rounded, slightly sloping to root of the tail.

Chest: Long, broad, well ribbed up, deep in general as well as in its frontal part; in cross-section has broad-oval shape. Ribs well sprung, false ribs are long. The forechest is marked.

Underline and belly: Belly moderately tucked up towards rear.

TAIL

The tail of Caucasian Shepherd is normally set on high, sickle curve or curled. In repose hanging down reaching the hocks; when the dog is alert, tail can be carried above the backline.


LIMBS FOREQUARTERS

General appearance: Well muscled. Viewed from the front, straight, parallel forelegs that are set fairly wide apart.

Shoulder: Caucasian Shepherd has strongly developed muscles on the shoulder. Moderately long, broad, slanting to form an angle of approximately 100 degrees with the upper arm. The shoulder-blade lies close against the chest.

Upper arm: Strong and muscular, close fitting.

Elbow: Placed strictly back in parallel axis; turning neither in not out.

Forearm: Straight, massive, moderately long, well muscled; rounded in cross-section. Metacarpus

(Pastern): Short, massive; almost straight viewed from the front and the side. Forefeet: Large, rounded in shape, well arched, well-knit.



HIND QUARTERS

General appearance: Viewed from the rear straight, standing parallel and moderately wide. The stifles and hocks sufficiently well angulated when viewed from the side. The hindquarters should not be set too far back.

Thigh: Broad, well muscled, moderately long.



Stifle (Knee): The knee should be sufficiently well angulated. Lower thigh: Broad, well muscled, moderately long. Hock joint: Broad and lean, sufficiently well bent; firm, turning neither in nor out.

Metatarsus (Rear pastern): Not long, massive; almost straight viewed from the front and the side. Hind feet: Large, rounded in shape, well arched, well-knit.

GAIT / MOVEMENT

Caucasian Shepherd moves in a free, elastic, unhurried pattern with good driving power in the hindquarters. Good stability in all joints and with good co-ordination.

The trot tends to be the typical movement. The withers are on the same level as the rump, and the backline is relatively stable during movement.

SKIN: The skin is thick, sufficiently elastic, without any folds and wrinkles.



COAT

Hair: The hair should be straight, coarse, stand-off coat with well developed undercoat. The length of guard coat as well as the undercoat should not be less than 5 cm. The coat on the head and forelegs is shorter and thicker. The tail is completely covered with dense coat and looks thick and furry. The longer outer coat forms “brushes” on the ears, a “mane” around the neck and “trousers” on the back sides of the thighs.

Colour: Any solid colour, piebald or spotted colour is acceptable except for solid black; diluted black or black in any combination or genetic blue or liver brown colour.

SIZE AND WEIGHT: Height at the withers: Males: Desirable height 72-75 cms; Minimum 68 cms; Females: Desirable height 67-70 cms; Minimum 64 cms. Larger stature is accepted, as long as conformation is harmonic. Weight: Males: Minimum: 50 kgs; Females: Minimum: 45 kgs.



FAULTS

Continue reading @http://petsarena.com.ng/2017/10/guide-getting-pure-bred-caucasian-shepherd-dog/

Dominic O'Connor killed four-year-old collie, Jess, with a lead before cooking it using "a few onions and an Oxo cube" last December.

O'Connor, who suffers from a personality disorder, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog, which he had bought on Facebook.

During the two-day-trial, Downpatrick Crown court was told that O'Connor, formerly known as William Moscari, bought the dog on Facebook.

During police questioning, he explained how he had tried to strangle the animal with one lead, but because it had "too much give" he used a smaller one.

He said he then cut the animal up, cooking some of it and feeding it to another dog.

"I cooked it and fed it to the other dog with a few onions and an Oxo cube and salt and pepper," he said.

O'Connor then cut up the dog's carcass with an axe and bread knife, burned it on a fire and dumped the ashes in Portavogie harbour.

The incident was discovered when O'Connor, of Roden Street in Kircubbin, told hospital health professionals what he had done.

Police then visited his house, where they found burned dog hair and a liquid on the grate of the fire.

A friend of O'Connor's told the jury she had seen the collie one day, but noticed it was missing the following day.


O'Connor conceded that people would be disgusted by his actions, and recognised "part of it was wrong".

He will appear in court for sentencing on 21 November.
Source:http://petsarena.com.ng/2017/10/court-convicts-man-killing-cooking-dog/

NASA has concluded plans to start farming in Mars as it concluded plan for its first manned mission to Mars in the mid-2030s.

According to Bruce Bugbee, a botanist at Utah State University "The round trip to Mars generally takes about four-and-a-half years if you add in six months on the surface,” “Theoretically, it’s possible to bring four years’ worth of bag lunches, but that would be super expensive.”

It’s also risky to rely on a lightweight resupply rocket, because it can take up to 210 days to arrive. “To be efficient, inhabitants need to eat local, which means we need to find a way to produce food on Mars from recycled wastes,” he explains. “If we can’t, we are not going to be able to live on the Red Planet.”


Bugbee is working with NASA to develop closed systems for growing plants aboard space shuttles and on the International Space Station for the past 30 years.
Today, there are small, engineered space greenhouses that can grow nutritious plants by rigorously controlling the plant environment.

“Taking this to scale to support humans is going to be the real challenge,” says Robert Heinse, a soil scientist at the University of Idaho. “Some of these challenges are simply a question of where to get enough water and nutrients. Other challenges are unique to the space environment like cosmic radiation, lack of atmosphere, and low levels of light.”

To create the technology necessary to make longer space missions possible, NASA is working with Utah State, along with three other universities, to be a part of CUBES (Center for Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space).

The initiative, a $15 million, five-year project funded by NASA, will be led by Adam Arkin, a professor of bioengineering at the University of California at Berkeley. Utah State University, the University of California at Davis, Stanford University, Autodesk, and Physical Sciences Inc. will be partner organizations.

Earth’s soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and countless organisms. The Red Planet is covered with crushed volcanic rock containing nothing living. Mars does, however, have carbon dioxide, some nitrogen in the atmosphere, and frozen water. As a first step, Bugbee’s colleague and biochemist Lance Seefeldt will study ways to convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia using bacteria and solar energy.

“We will also look at inoculating plants with rhizobia like we do legumes to help them fix nitrogen,” says Bugbee.

Rhizobia is one of the groups of soil bacteria that infect the roots of legumes to form root nodules. After infection, it produces nodules on the roots where they fix nitrogen gas from the atmosphere and produce a more readily useful form of nitrogen.

In order to achieve this, light is needed. Although it is more dispersed on Mars than on Earth, some light is available.

“Mars has only 60% of our light intensity at the surface, which means reduced photosynthesis,” explains Bugbee. “There is still enough light to grow crops.”

One crop that shows great promise is soybeans. “Soybeans are an important crop for Mars because of the diversity of products that can be made from them,” says Bugbee.

Source:http://theprofarmer.com/nasa-to-start-space-farming-in-mars/

Makers of commercial dog foods may make you believe otherwise, but feeding your dog with homemade food is actually good for him.

Benefits Of Preparing Your Dog’s Food

One of the most important benefit is that you can personally choose the ingredients to be used in the dog food.

Home made dog food helps if your dog has allergies, or you just want to spare him from consuming certain ingredients.

You can also be assured that the food you are giving him is 100% safe.

You also save time and effort when you prepare your dog’s food. Preparing foods in large branches would let you do so, as you would be able to freeze smaller portions which you can feed to your dog later on.

Of course, you get to benefit from preparing your dog’s food, too. While preparation may take up time, you can save a lot of money in the long run especially if you buy ingredients in bulk.

Beef stew is a much healthier alternative to canned dog food, this recipe is loaded with fresh protein and vitamins and can be stored in your fridge for most of the week.

Ingredients
1 pound of beef stew meat
1 small sweet potato
1/2 cup of carrots, diced
1/2 cup of green beans, diced
1/2 cup of flour
1/2 cup of water or organic vegetable oil, plus 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil for frying
Total: Makes approx 4 cups (or 32 fluid ounces)

Directions
Cook the sweet potato for 5 to 8 minutes until firm but tender. Set aside.
Slice the stew pieces into smaller chunks, about the size of a nickel.
Cook the stew pieces in a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until well-done.
Remove the beef chunks from the pan, reserving the drippings.
Dice the sweet potato.
Heat the drippings over medium-low heat. Slowly add flour and water into the dripping while whisking to create a thick gravy.
Add the meat, sweet potato, carrots and green beans into the gravy and stir to coat.
Cook until the carrots are tender – about 10 minutes.
Serve cool.
Store remaining stew in the fridge for up to five days.
http://petsarena.com.ng/2017/09/how-to-prepare-beef-stew-for-dogs/

An Australia’s top dog training expert Ian O’Connell, has launched the world-first, comprehensive online working dog training program.

A co-founder of the Caster­ton working dog auction and kelpie muster, Mr O’Connell said dogs were the “most under-utilised and misunderstood resource available to the Australian livestock ­industry”.

But, with his new training series, he is hoping to reach more livestock producers.

Along with wife Kay and Doghouse Training business partner Celeste Clabburn, he has put together online videos to share his techniques.

The videos draw on Ian’s 45 years of experience. Each video runs for about 25 minutes and steps trainers through positive training methods.

Mr O’Connell said livestock producers ­needed to be aware of the welfare of their dogs.

He said many people put too much pressure on young dogs, which did not reach maturity until they were three or four years old.

Mr O’Connell said too many dogs were unable to reach their potential and were “cooked” by too much pressure being applied by handlers.

The videos cost $45 plus GST at farmdogtraining.com.au

[url]petsarena.com.ng/2017/09/australian-man-launches-first-online-working-dog-training-program/[/url]

Humans believe that they are the only creatures that vote on any thing they wish they do but some researchers have proved them wrong.

Some researchers from University of New South Wales, New Zealand followed five packs of wild dogs in Botswana for 11months and discovered that dogs do vote just as humans do.

They found out that these dogs vote on whether to go on hunting through sound like sneezing.

The scientists already knew that the dogs had a very specific social pattern, called a "rally," wherein the pack would come together and boisterously greet each other.

According to Neil Jordan the leader of the research team, they found out that rallies were generally initiated by one dog, who "rose from rest in the distinctive initiation posture: head lowered, mouth open, and ears folded back"

Jordan said in a release that they "noticed the dogs were sneezing while preparing to go."

So the researchers went over recordings of 68 rallies and "couldn't quite believe it when our analyses confirmed our suspicions...

The more sneezes that occurred, the more likely it was that the pack moved off and started hunting. The sneeze acts like a type of voting system."

Even more interesting, however, is that dog democracy is as imperfect as the human version.

When a dominant male or female dog called the rally, fewer sneezes were needed to start the hunt.

Study co-author Reena Walker added, "If the dominant pair were not engaged, more sneezes were needed—approximately 10—before the pack would move off." In other words, some votes count more than others

Walker told The New York Times that the noise they called "sneezes" isn't really like a human sneeze. There's no inhalation, just an "audible, rapid forced exhalation through the nose." We also aren't sure that this noise is involuntary, like a sneeze, or more like a person making a grunt of assent.

Source:[url]http://petsarena.com.ng/2017/09/see-how-dogs-cast-their-votes/
[/url]

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer poultry farm.

The farm has been placed under quarantine, the Western Cape government said on Sunday.
More than 10,000 chickens have already died and culling of the rest at the farm and composting of mortalities has already been started.
The virus has not yet been confirmed as H5N8, which is the strain in outbreaks in other parts of the country. The cause is most likely through contact with wild birds. Winde said the virus presents a challenge to control due to the wild birds.
Avian influenza is a viral respiratory disease amongst birds, believed to be transmitted by wild migratory birds.
It is spread by direct contact between healthy and infected birds, or through indirect contact with contaminated equipment or other materials. The virus is present in the faeces of infected birds and in discharges from their noses, mouth, and eyes.

The H5N8 strain of the disease has already wreaked havoc in the poultry industry in Zimbabwe where thousands of commercial birds have died or had to be culled.

Winder said the vets are working hard to contain the spread in the province.

Farms within a 3km zone of an infected farm will be monitored closely and subjected to the control measures as laid out by the National Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry.

Exports of poultry and poultry products have been suspended except from poultry compartments registered with DAFF, or where a country’s import permit contains clauses that are able to be signed by a certifying veterinarian.

Meanwhile, Winder said poultry products available in supermarkets and stores do not pose a risk to human health as a result of this strain of avian influenza.
Source:http:[url]//theprofarmer.com/break-bird-flu-detected-farm-south-africa/[/url]

A factory in India accused of dumping dye into a river where several dogs turned blue has been closed, an official said on Tuesday, after pictures emerged of the brightly-coloured dogs.

An animal activist,Arati Chauhan saw the blue dogs roaming the streets of Mumbai near an industrial zone where factories had been accused of pouring untreated chemicals directly into the Kasadi river.

She said dogs and birds had been turned to bright blue after swimming in the contaminated river.

"The bizzare incident brought to the forefront the dangers posed by these firms which fail to comply with environmental norms."
Ms Chauhan wrote to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, a state body, to complain, and posted images of the dyed dogs online.

The board intervened by closing the factory for breaching laws on waste disposal, after pictures of the egg-shell blue dogs went viral online.
Source:http:[url]//petsarena.com.ng/2017/08/factory-closed-in-india-for-dumping-dye-that-turned-dogs-to-blue/[/url]

These people are bereft of ideas.I pity them.Let them employ product development people instead making mockery of themselves

[url]theprofarmer.com[/url] accepts guest post on any topic on farming, sponsored post promoting your business is equally welcomed.

[url]Petsarena.com.ng[/url] accepts guest post from every topic on pets. Minimum of 750 words allowed.

A Chinese pig farm has recently held a diving competition featuring pigs.

Niu Fuquan, the owner of the farm, said exercising could make their meat taste better, according to Chinese media.

The breeder also hoped the unique performance could help bring more visitors to his farm on the outskirts of Shenyang, Liaoning Province.

Niu, who runs the Li Xiang Tian Yuan farm, built two diving platforms for his porkers, one at 3.3 feet high and the other 10 feet.

According to a video provided by Pear Video,you can see Mr Niu's pigs plummeting from the 10-foot-high diving board into a pool.

The farmer explained his intention to a reporter: 'We have a lotus pond and a pool.

'We initially wanted to let the pigs swim, but swimming would not be eye-catching enough. That's why we decided to train them to dive.'

Mr Niu claimed that a regular fitness routine would make the pigs yummier because their pork would have a better texture.

Mr Niu is not the only one who holds the belief, Huang Deming, another Chinese pig farmer, gave his animals daily diving training for the same reason.

Mr Huang said last year that the meat from these athletic animals were three times more expensive than the normal pork on the market.

Mr Mou, from Xingwang Animal Hospital in China, agreed with Mr Niu's claims saying that exercise would help build muscle in the pigs and make their meat lean and more delicious.
Source:[url]theprofarmer.com/chinese-farmer-holds-diving-competition-pigs-make-meat-taste-better/[/url]

Mr Edson Mpyisi, Principal Agricultural Economist on Monday said the African Development Bank (AfDB), would soon set up a fund to support to African youth who wants to venture into agriculture.

The proposed fund: “Youth Agripreneurial Fund” will provide seed capital at a low interest rate to address challenges in the sector.


Mr Mpyisi told the Ghana News Agency in an interview sequel to the African Green Revolution Forum to taking place in Abidjan from September 4 to 8 themed: “ Accelerating Africa’s Path to Prosperity: Growing Inclusion Economics and Jobs through Agriculture”.

The Forum is an annual platform established in 2010 for global and African leaders to develop actionable plans to move African agriculture forward and achieve green revolution in Africa.

The forum would be in partnership with Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and its development partners including the Rockefeller Foundation, Grow Africa and AfDB.

The forum would provide a session for youth in agribusiness and entrepreneurship, research and technology, access to financing, how to develop enterprise, and a youth fair where the youth would present their services to the participants for business to business network.

He said agriculture was a growing sector with great potential in the continent, and that the sector currently has a market of $30 billion and can grow to about one trillion dollar market by 2030,hence the need for the bank to support the youth to engage in agribusiness.

“It is imperative for African leaders to start to think about agriculture as business and not only the traditional farming for livelihood, saying this phenomenon requires adequate investment in the sector for expansion”, he said.

Speaking about the role of AfDB in attracting the youth to venture into Agriculture, Mr Mpyisi said the Bank in 2016 launched the Empowering Novel Agri-Business-Led Employment (ENABLE) Youth Programme under the Feed Africa Strategy to help engage the youth in agriculture on a business-oriented scale.

Mr Mpyisi said the bank introduced a project dubbed “Jobs for Youth in Africa” a strategy to create 25 million jobs and positively impact 50 million youth over the next decade.

He said to accomplish the goal; the Strategy 2016-2025 aims to increase inclusive employment and entrepreneurship, strengthen human capital, and creates durable labour market linkages by making use of three strategic intervention areas: Integration, Innovation, and Investment.

Touching on funding opportunities for the youth to acquire innovative technologies to engage in agriculture, Mr Mpyisi said their outfit had initiated a project ‘Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation’.

He explained that the project sought to raise $40 billion yearly to adopting modern and commercial agriculture to transform livelihood of African youth, especially the rural poor.
Source:[url]theprofarmer.com/afdb-establish-fund-aid-african-youth-farmers/[/url]

A 'mutant pig' born with two bodies and eight legs has died just minutes after being born.

The farmer Gao Baiqi, who owns the sow, said the piglet appeared to have been joined to a parasitic twin.


Gao said he had "never ever seen anything like it" after the pig was born with underdeveloped skin and numerous extra limbs.

Gao, who lives in Fe County in Linyi City in China's eastern Shandong Province, spotted the little piglet among the rest of the sow's litter after they were born.

According to him the animal kicked and struggled, and he had planned to hand-rear it before it suddenly stopped breathing.

"Besides having one head, two bodies and eight legs, the piglet appeared normal and had all other organs," Gao said.





Gao is yet to find a scientific explanation for his "mutant pig", but reports said the birth defect was likely the result of an egg that did not split properly - similar to human conjoined twins.
Source:http://theprofarmer.com/pig-born-with-two-bodies-and-eight-legs-dies-minutes-after-birth-in-china/

Dogs do eat some grasses to treat some stomach upset or to vomit poisonous substances they ingested. Sometime ago while on a call, I observed a mongrel quickly rushed to eat grass. Immediately after eating the grass he vomited and calmed down after the vomit. It is not abnormal, it is wired in them to eat certain grass for medicinal purposes which they inherited from their forebears in the wild..

Introduction

The Red-Nosed Pit Bull is a variation of the American Pit Bull Terrier. These dogs are athletic and non-aggressive toward humans, including children, when trained and handled properly.

The Red-Nosed American Pit Bull Terriers does well in obedience training and are good guard dogs. When choosing a Pit Bull, it is important to check its bloodline. Cataracts, heart disease, and hip dysplasia are common hereditary problems.



Common Names

Red-Nosed American Pit Bull Terrier, Red-Nosed Pit Bull

Vital Stats

Dog Breed Group:Terrier Dogs

Lifespan: 8 – 15 years
Height: 50 cm (Adult)
Temperament: Stubborn, Obedient, Affectionate, Strong Willed, Intelligent, Courageous, Clownish, Loyal, Friendly
Origin: USA United Kingdom
Weight: Male: 16 – 30 kg (Adult), Female: 14 – 27 kg (Adult)
Colors: Usually Red in colour, may come in other colours like Blue, Tan, Brown, Grey
Breed Type

This is a variety of the American Pit Bull Terrier. They were initially bred for bull baiting and dog fighting, they have also functioned as working dogs on farms. The Red-Nosed Pit Bull prefers warm weather. They are banned in some climes.

History

The Red-Nosed Pit Bull was gotten from close inbreeding of the “Old Family” strain of Pit Bulls in Ireland in the mid-1800s. These dogs was later taken to the United States through immigration with their owners. Efforts have been made throughout the years to preserve the strain, but breeding with other strains has made Old Family Red-Nosed Pit Bulls less common.

Description

The Red-Nosed Pit Bull is usually red in color, it may also come in any color.

They dogs are stocky, and tend to be on the large side of normal for Pit Bulls.

Average height is 18-22 inches for males and females, and average weight is 35-65 pounds, with females weighing slightly less than males.

Care and Feeding

Pit Bull should be given dog food containing beef, poultry, brown rice, and corn. Red-Nosed Pit Bull needs lots of fiber and few carbohydrates. Essential fatty acids are good for the Red-Nosed Pit Bull’s coat.

Annual checkups are recommended, with vaccinations as follows:

4-6 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (DHLPP)
8-10 weeks: Second shot DHLPP
12-14 weeks: Third DHLPP and rabies
Annually: DHLPP and rabies booster

Grooming Needs

Red-Nosed Pit Bulls shed hair moderately , so they require regular brushing.

They should be given baths when necessary. Red-Nosed Pit Bull owners sometimes have their ears clipped, but it is not customary to do so.

Pit Bulls shed moderately, so regular vacuuming is required if they are to be kept inside.

Housing Your Dog

The Red-Nosed Pit Bull can be kept inside or outside the house. They can live in small apartments in as much as they get lots of exercise. These dogs prefer warm weather. Ensure you provide them with durable toys, beds, and food and water containers.

Temperament

Old Family Red-Nosed Pit Bulls tend to have friendly temperaments due to the quality of their breeding. They may, however, be aggressive to unfamiliar animals. They are very protective of their owners and the owner’s property, but are friendly when there is no threat present.

Handling and Training

Red-Nosed Pit Bulls must be well socialized when they are young. They do well in obedience, tracking, and agility training.

Activity Level

The Red-Nosed Pit Bull needs daily exercise and long walks. They love vigorous exercise, and they are great hiking partners.

Breeding/Reproduction

The rarity of the Red-Nosed Pit Bull may make it difficult to find others of the strain for breeding purposes. A good breeder can help you find a suitable mate for your dog.

Common Health Issues

The Red-Nosed Pit Bull is usually healthy, but some have genetic and non-genetic health problems which include heart disease, joint problems, cataracts, and allergies.

Availability

The Red-Nosed Pit Bulls are not common, and may be hard to find. They are usually priced much higher than other Pit Bulls.
Source:http:[url]//petsarena.com.ng/2017/07/get-to-meet-the-red-nosed-pit-bull/[/url]

An Arizona man has been to court is facing charges for dragging his 4-year-old chihuahua behind his vehicle.

According to the Cottonwood Police Department, officers were called Saturday evening to the area of North 10th Street and Main Street for a dog being dragged behind a truck.


When the man Destry Lynn McClure, 52, he said that he forgot the dog was at the back of the truck after been dragged half of a mile.

The dog, named Leia was then taken to a veterinary hospital where it appeared most of her injuries consisted of road rash.

Police believed that McClure may have been under the influence of alcohol and possibly prescription drugs and later charged him with animal cruelty and driving under the influence.

“I’m amazed little Leia survived being dragged on pavement for approximately half a mile let alone appears to only have suffered road rash injuries,” said Cottonwood police spokesperson Sgt. Monica Kuhlt. “I also want to thank the witnesses who saw this and acted so quickly.”
Source:http:[url]//petsarena.com.ng/2017/07/man-charged-court-dragging-dog-behind-truck/[/url]

The name Sarplaninac is pronounced “shar-pla-nee-natz. It originates from the southwest part of Srbija (southern Kosovo) and the northwest part of Macedonia (Shar Planina, Bistra, Korab, Stogavo, Mavrovo, Jablanica and Pelister, etc.).

It has a close resemblance to Caucasian Ovcharka

The Šarplaninac or Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog, is a dog breed of the livestock guardian type named after the Šar Mountains in the border area between Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania. It is a molosser-type mountain dog.

Quick Facts

Height: Male: 56–62 cm, Female: 54–60 cm

Weight: Male: 35–45 kg, Female: 30–40 kg

Colors: Black, White, Grey, Sable, Tan

Litter Size: 5 to 7 puppies

Lifespan: 11 – 13 years

Temperament: Reliable, Devoted, Protective, Calm, Intelligent, Independent

Breed group: Livestock guardian dogs

Best Suited For: Families with children, active singles, house with a large yard, farms/rural areas, guard duty

Comparable Breeds: Tornjak, Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Origin: Eastern Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Serbia



Other Names

Charplaninatz

Illyrian Dog

Illyrian Sheepdog

Macedonian Shepherd

Macedonian-Yugoslav Shepherd Dog – Sharplaninec

Ovcarski Pas Srbije I Crne Gore

Sarpie

Sar Planina

Yugoslav Mountain Dog

Yugoslav Shepherd Dog

Description

The Šarplaninac is a robust, well proportioned dog with plenty of bone, of a size that is well above the average and with a thick, long, rather coarse coat that emphasizes the short coupled appearance.

According to the FCI breed standard males should weigh between 35 and 45 kilograms (77 and 99 lb) with females slightly smaller at around 30–40 kilograms (66–88 lb). The average height is quoted as 62 centimetres (24 in) for males with females at 58 centimetres (23 in)



Exercise Requirements
The Sarplaninac as a livestock guarding breed is not especially active. It can produce bursts of speed when needed to protect its flock.



Training
The Sarplaninac needs firm but consistent training. Make sure the sessions are short so that the dog does not become bored.

Origin

The Sarplaninac originates from an area that was once called Illyria but is now called Macedonia.

The breed was developed as a livestock guardian and it has been known to fight off large predators like lynxes, wolves, and bears.

When the breed was first registered with the FCI it was under the name Illyrian Shepherd Dog which was changed to Yugoslav Shepherd Dog – Sarplaninac in 1954.

The exact origins of the breed are unknown, though its ancestors may have come to the Balkan Peninsula with people who migrated from ancient Asia.

The Sarplaninac is actually one of the oldest native breeds in the world, developed from ancient Molosser breeds.

Temperament

The temperament of the breed is described as independent, reliable, protective but not snappy, incorruptible and devoted to its master.

Sarplaninac is aloof with outsiders and calm until a threat to the flock presents itself. The breed has an extremely protective nature.

In the absence of a flock of sheep, the Šarplaninac will often treat its humans as sheep – herding them away from danger or undesirable areas.

They are serene and majestic, gentle with children and smaller dogs. They are also highly intelligent and bred to work without human supervision while guarding the flocks in the high pastures.

Young pups can kill small animals until trained not to hunt.

Disqualifing Features

According to UKC the following features disqualifies sarplaninac from participating in a show.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Extreme viciousness or shyness.
Total lack of pigment in lips, nose, or eye rims.
Undershot or overshot bite.
Missing teeth.
Bobtail (including dogs born with only a stump or no tail at all).
Coat on the withers shorter than 2¾ inches.
White spots or patches other than tiny white markings on chest or toes.
Albinism
Health Issues

The Sarplaninac is prone to developing musculoskeletal issues like hip dysplasia. Gastric torsion, or bloat, may also be a problem.

Difference between Sarplaninac and Caucasian Ovcharka

Its really difficult to pin point the difference between a Sarplaninac and Caucasian Ovcharka.

I believe that the difference may be from the countries of origin,Sarplaninac has its origin from Serbia and Macedonia, while Caucasian Ovcharka originated from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Soviet Union, Circassia.

They both belong to Molosser dog groups.

I believe there may be differences in temperament of these two wonderful breeds.

Now lets get to hear what some dog lovers had to say about the two breeds in regards to their differences.

A cross section of pet lovers gave their own version of differences between a Sarplaninac and Caucasian Ovcharka in molosserdogs.com

Caucasian Ovcharkas generally do have a shorter fuse. They are more apt to react first and question later… and even then they probably won’t question much because if they felt that they needed to react, then their actions were justified in their mind.

Caucasian Ovcharkas are loyal, but from what I’ve gathered, they are usually a bit more independent than Sarplaninac, although not much and individual cases vary. I’ve had experiences meeting both Sars and COs on their own territory. Both were quite tolerant of my presence but the COs were staring me down and constantly watching me with a “…just give me a reason” sort of look.

The Sars I met seemed much more relaxed, comparatively. While they weren’t boring a hole through me with their eyes, it was obvious that even though they would turn their heads away, they seemed to have the attitude of,

“You know and I know…” I hate to personify the dogs in such a way, but that’s the best way I can describe it online

“A Caucasian Ovcharka is like a Sarplaninac on steroids.”



Recognition

ACA = American Canine Association Inc.

ACR = American Canine Registry

APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.

CKC = Continental Kennel Club

DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.

FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale

NKC = National Kennel Club
Source :[url]petsarena.com.ng/2016/09/meet-sarplaninacthe-close-resemblance-caucasian-ovcharka/[/url]

The president of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina has won the 2017 edition of the World Food Prize for increasing food production in Africa through policy reforms, financial innovation and modern farming practices. The prize which comes with monetary prize of $250,000 was announced by the Iowa foundation that sponsors the prize, also known as the Nobel of food and agriculture.

Adesina has been at the forefront of galvanizing public will to transform African agriculture through initiatives to expand agricultural production, thwart corruption in the Nigerian fertilizer industry and exponentially increase the availability of credit for smallholder farmers across the African continent.

The World Food Prize was created by Norman Borlaug, winner of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Known as the father of the “green revolution,” Borlaug bred higher-yielding, disease-resistant dwarf varieties of wheat that helped prevent famine in Asia in the 1960s as the world population boomed after World War

Adesina has been described as the Borlaug of Africa, said the Food Prize Foundation, because he promoted the use of improved seeds and fertilizer, larger investment in agriculture and greater access for farmers to credit. “Adesina came to strongly believe that unless fertilizer use gained traction in African countries on a wide scale, the farmers in those countries would never see an improvement in yields nor in their livelihoods,” said the prize foundation.

In 2006, Adesina was the head of the organizers of the African Fertilizer Summit, which led to creation of AGRA that brought about the Green Revolution to the continent.

The award was announced by Kenneth Quinn, president of the food prize foundation, during a ceremony at the USDA headquarters. Adesina, who is now the sixth African laureate was absent during the ceremony.
Source:http://theprofarmer.com/akinwunmi-adesina-adb-president-wins-2017-world-food-prize/

There are a lot of questions you need to answer before getting a dog.These questions shouldn’t be taken lightly since you are bringing a member of the family that will be staying with you for a long time . Owning a dog needs a lot of time, money, and commitment – over 15 years worth, in many instances. Dog ownership comes with enormous responsibility.

Here are some things to consider before buying a dog and you need to ask your self these questions

Why Do I Need A Dog?
This is one of the questions you need to ask yourself before buying or adopting a dog. Generally there are a lot of reasons why you may buy a dog. Getting a dog just should not be because your children have been disturbing for a puppy or because your friend just got a cute dog and you feel like getting one as well. Remember that you will be responsible for caring for your new family member for up to 10 years or more.

Can I Create Enough Time For A Dog?
Dogs are social animals that live in packs and once you buy one, you automatically becomes part of his new pack. They also crave for company of their pack members , so you cannot ignore her just because you’re busy or too tired. She needs a lot of care, which includes feeding, exercising, and socializing every day. Many wonderful dogs end up in shelters because their owners didn’t have the time to train and care for them.

Can I Afford The Cost Of Keeping Dog?
The costs of buying and keeping can be very high for a dog throughout her life. These cost include cost of purchase,healthcare,feeding,grooming, toys, treats, boarding, and other expenses .You need to brace up to foot the bills that accrue from getting a dog,you must be willing to spend huge money on these things otherwise you may end up punishing and losing the long in no distance time.

Can I Face The Challenges Associated With Dog Ownership?
Owning a puppy or an adult has associated problems which include health-related emergencies, certain damage to your personal belongings, fecal littering around the house especially when bringing up a puppy, or any dog not yet house trained.

Does My Rental Situation Allow Me To Own A Dog?
Some rental properties, even estates have a number of restrictions on keeping dogs. Some rental agreements do not allow certain breeds or size of dog to be kept in the property. Be sure you read your lease agreement or consult with your housing association before you bring a dog home to live with you.

Will My Family Structure Favour Getting A Dog?
If you have young children probably under 6 years of age,it’s better to wait for a few years before getting a dog. Dogs can be pretty energetic and overwhelming for many young kids; children also need to be mature enough to care correctly for the dog.

If you travel a lot for your job or a student with a demanding schedule, or are in the military, you need to wait until you settle down to getting a dog.

Can The Dog Fit Into My Living Environment?
The dog’s size relative to the size of your living space is not the only factor to think about here. Small dogs such as terriers, for example, are active and need a lot of exercise to be calm. Many small dogs tend to bark at any noise, which could be a problem for you, or for your neighbors. On the flip side, there are some big dogs who are very mellow and quite happy to sleep on the couch all day. Do some research into what different dogs need to make sure that your living situation is suitable, and that the dog you want fits into your current lifestyle.

Do I Have Someone To Look After Her In My Absence?
Think about the people you know who have or love dogs, and would be reliable enough to take care of your dogs when you are not around. Also consider doing some research on good boarding facilities or a pet-sitting service in your vicinity.

What Breed or Mixed Breed Do I Get?
This is another important questions you need to ask yourself before getting a dog. One of the biggest mistakes a prospective dog owner can make is choosing a dog based on its appearance. You need to research the breeds or breed mixes you’re interested in, and don’t expect your dog to be the exception to the breed’s typical temperament.

A herding breed like an Australian Shepherd, for example, may not be the best pet for an apartment dweller, and a sighthound such as a greyhound, may not be a good match for a home with cats.

Should I Get A Puppy Or An Adult?
Keep in mind that a dog’s personality and temperament is partially shaped through genetics, so even a perfectly raised puppy may have its own set of issues as an adult. It’s also important to decide whether you’re prepared for the responsibility of raising the near-equivalent of a human baby.

You have to be prepared for barking, whining, pooping, peeing, and chewing associated with puppies.

Adult dogs have a more developed personality and potty less often as a puppy, they too can come with some behavioral issues, that is why you need to buy a properly house trained adult that has least behavioral issues.

How Do I Pick The Right Dog?
You have to be serious when getting a dog since you are making a long-term commitment, and you want to choose a dog that will be a mutually good fit.

Get in touch with a responsible breeder, veterinary doctor and learn more about the dogs they have available for sale or adoption. and check if it is right dog for you.

Getting a dog can be an emotional one, but it’s important to think with your head, and not just your heart and try to consult a veterinary doctor or a responsible trainer before getting one.
Source:http://petsarena.com.ng/2017/06/questions-you-need-to-answer-before-getting-a-dog/

Seeing this cute cat,one may mistake it as a miniature leopard, but it is really a cat. Now,lets introduce the bengal, a cat that resembles a a leopard.
Quick Facts
Life Span:10 to 16 years
Colour: back ground colour varies from golden, rust, brown and orange to sand, buff and ivory.
Bengal spots also vary in color, from rust or cocoa and chocolate brown to charcoal or black.
Weight:Males 10-15 lbs (4.5 – 6.8 kg) and females 8–12 lbs (3.6 – 5.4 kg)
Height: about 16 inches
The Bengal is a domestic cat breed developed to look like exotic jungle cats such as leopards, ocelots, margays and clouded leopards.
[url]History[/url]
Bengals take their name from the Asian leopard cat’s scientific name, Felis bengalensis.
They were created through crosses between an Asian leopard cat — which in the 1950s and into the 1960s could be purchased at pet stores — and domestic short hairs.
Jean Mill, a breeder in California, was the first to make such a cross, but not because she wanted to create a new breed.
She had acquired a leopard cat and allowed her to keep company with a black tom cat so she wouldn’t be lonely.
To her surprise, since she hadn’t thought the two species would mate, kittens resulted, and Mill kept a spotted female. Breeding her back to her father produced a litter of spotted and solid kittens.
Personality
Bengals are a lot of fun to live with, but they’re definitely not the cat for everyone, or for first-time cat owners.
they are very fond of their people and can do anything to get their attention.They also get on well with dogs
This is a cat who needs a lot of vertical territory since he loves to climb, the higher the better. Provide them with tall cat trees and window perches. They are also fond of playing water.
Other traits include intelligence; Bengal cats are said to be adaptable and sociable, and they can often be talkative.
Grooming
Bengals have short, luxurious, soft coat that is easy to care for with weekly brushing.
Trim the nails as needed, usually once a week.
Check the ears every week for redness or a bad smell that could indicate an infection.
If the ears look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball dampened with a gentle cleanser recommended by your veterinarian.
Brush his teeth regularly with a vet-approved pet toothpaste and schedule veterinary cleanings as needed.
Health Issues
Like other cats,bengals develop can some genetic related health issues such as
• Polycystic kidney disease,
• Distal neuropathy, a nervous system disorder that causes weakness. It can occur in Bengals as early as 1 year of age. Fortunately, many cats recover on their own, although a few relapse.
• Flat-chested kitten syndrome, a deformity that can range from mild to severe. Kittens who survive to adulthood usually show no signs once they reach maturity.
• Hip dysplasia, which in severe cases can cause lameness
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that is inheritable in some breeds.
• Patellar luxation, a hereditary dislocation of the kneecap that can range from mild to severe. Severe cases can be alleviated with surgery.
• Progressive retinal atrophy, a degenerative eye disease.
Source:http://petsarena.com.ng/2016/09/meet-bengal-cat-breed-resembles-leopard/

Have a pet product, service or kennel you wish to promote? Just send an email to petsarena1@gmail.com and we will do a free special review/ profile of your business in the blog petsarena.com.ng.

The famous Chinese dog meat festival began on Wednesday with butchers killing slabs of dogs and cooks frying the flesh despite rumours that authorities may ban the festival this year.

Despite earlier reports that authorities would prohibit the meat at the summer solstice event in the southern town of Yulin, animal rights groups said vendors and officials reached a compromise setting a limit of two dogs displayed per stall.

Most of the dog meats were displayed on some shops at the main Nanqiao market, with stiff pointy tails, leathery yellow skin, eyes shut and bared teeth as if in a final growl.

A huge number of police men were seen outside the market and at all intersections.

"Despite the fact that there does not seem to be a ban on all dog meat, the festival appears to be smaller this year, with fewer dogs losing their lives to this cruel industry," said Irene Feng of Animals Asia

Thousands of dogs are slaughtered yearly during the festival in conditions animal right advocates describe as wicked, with dogs beaten and boiled alive in the belief that the more terrified they are, the tastier the meat.

It is estimated that around 10 million and 20 million dogs are butchered annually for food in China, according to the Humane Society International.

Though eating of dog meat is not prohibited in China, animal rights groups have tried to stop its sale at the annual festival.
Source: http://petsarena.com.ng/2017/06/popular-yulin-dog-meat-festival-starts-in-china-despite-rumored-ban/

luvinhubby:
Nigerianisation of a foreign owned telecoms company. Clear signal to foreign investors to keep off.

But, why is it that every corporate organisation headed by Hakeem Bello Osagie runs into crises and is eventually sold, first was UBA that was sold to Elumelu's Standard Trust and now Etisalat Nig?

Something must be wrong, may be the blood of those disgruntled pensioners owed in former UBA are crying for vengeance when he was the chairman. Its a pity though.

Theprofarmer.com, a growing farming blog that covers most aspects of agriculture welcomes articles on any aspect of farming from our distinguished nairaland farmers.
Interested persons should visit http:[url]//theprofarmer.com/write-for-the-profarmer/[/url] or send us email at profarmerng@gmail.com

Introduction

Goat farming is one of the most profitable livestock venture in Africa and Nigeria in particular as there is no religious or traditional belief hindering its consumption. This high demand for the meat makes goat farming a very lucrative livestock farming to venture into.

Goat farming in Africa is normally done for the purpose of harvesting milk, meat and fiber

Benefits Of Goat Meat

There are many benefits of goat farming in Africa because goat meat has a number of health benefits, which include…

When it comes to fat, goat meat is leaner than other meats. It also has far lesser calories, which means it is ideal for those trying to stick to a diet.

While red meat is known to be high with saturated fat that increases cholesterol levels and leads to heart disease, goat meat is said to have very low levels of saturated fat and will pose no harm to your heart health.

The low levels of saturated fat in goat meat is said to improve blood cholesterol levels and ease inflammation.

– With cholesterol levels shooting through the roof in most households, it is important to watch your diet. Goat meat comprises very little cholesterol and hence, can be consumed regularly.
– Goat meat also contains higher levels of iron than chicken which is an important nutrient especially for women, a lack of iron reserves is known to cause anaemia.

– The meat is also packed with proteins — another important nutrient the body needs on a daily basis.



– Goat meat has high Vitamin B, which help to effectively burn body fat. So, a little portion of the meat is good for one wish to lose some weight.

It is packed with Vitamin B12, which is known to help you get healthy skin.



Advantages Of Goat Farming In Africa

Goat farming in Africa requires low initial investment or capital.
It don’t require huge area for housing because their body size is comparatively smaller than other livestock animals.
Goats are normally friendlier in nature and very lovable than other livestock.
Goats are good breeders and they reach sexual maturity within their 7-12 months of age and give birth of kids within a short time. And some goat breed produce numerous kids per kidding.
Risks are less for goat farming in Africa than any other livestock farming business.
Goats are very suitable for mixed farming with other domestic animals.
Diseases are less common in goats than other domestic animals.
Goats are comparatively cheaper in price and easy to maintain.
They can of adapt to almost all types of agro climatic environments or conditions. They can tolerate high and low temperature more than other animals.
According to the investment per unit they produce more than other domestic animals thus the ROI (return of investment) for goat farming in Africa ratio is very good.
Goats are generally smaller in size but reach slaughter age faster.
Goats are called the “foster mother of human”. Because their milk is considered as the best milk for human consumption than any other species of livestock animal’s milk. And their milk is low cost, nutritious, wholesome and easily digestible.
Goat milk is suitable for preparing various types of milk products. And goat meat has a huge demand and high price in the local and international markets. Even you can consider exporting your products to the foreign countries for more profits.
Goats can be milked as often as required. This also prevent refrigeration costs and milk storage problems.
You can use the goat’s manure as a high quality natural fertilizer in crop field. This will directly help to maximize crop production.
As goat farming in Africa is very profitable, so many govt. and non govt. banks are eager to provide loans for starting this business.
This business require less labor and you can easily use your family labor for raising goats.
Commercial goat farming business is a great source of employment and income in Africa so unemployed educated people can easily create a great employment and income source through raising goats commercially.
Along with the above advantages, there are also many advantages of commercial goat farming in Africa.
Doing Feasibility Studies

The cost of going into goat farming in Africa a goat varies from region to region, as does the profit you can earn from selling goat products. If you are planning to raise goats for commercial purposes, it pays to get a good idea of costs and expected profit. Try to talk to several goat farmers or read recently published goat farming guides in your area to get a good estimate of the following costs. If the resulting estimate is above your budget, you might decide to purchase fewer goats, or a different breed. Keep in mind that a goat farm may not be profitable for two years or more, especially if you are raising young goats or need to pay for initial setup such as fencing.

How much does it cost to raise a doe, a buck, or a kid for one year? Try to find numbers for your specific goat breed if possible.
If you are raising goats for milk, how much milk does one doe produce? How much can you sell this milk for?
If you are raising goats for meat, how much does a slaughtered goat sell for? Do they sell for more during a specific time of year, such as Muslim holidays, Christmas, or Easter?
How much on-hand money do you have available for unexpected costs, such as fencing repair or veterinary procedures? If one of your goats dies, will that cause you financial hardship?
Writing Your Business Plan

You will need to write a business plan for your proposed goat farm especially if you need funding in the outset or even later in the future. the business plan will equally be as a road map to where you wish to take your farm in the future

Goat Breeds

Three major breeds of goat in Nigeria are West African Dwarf, Sokoto Maradi Red and Borno Sahel White.

The WAD goats are found in the southern parts of the country.

It has the potential of good tasty meat with a good reproductive performance.

The Sokoto Maradi Red is found in the northern part of the country and is well adapted to arid conditions.

Selecting Goat Type

Some breeds are suited for milk production, such as Nigerian Dwarf, La Mancha, and Alpine goats. Others are usually raised for meat, such as the Spanish or Tennessee breeds.

`Some farms raise Angora or Cashmere goats to sell their hair for fabric. Find out which breeds are raised in your area, how large each breed grows to, and the physical and personality traits of each breed. Some breeds tend to be more docile, produce bucks with a stronger smell, or be prone to certain health problems.



Housing Requirements

When you’re creating goat house, you need to consider where you will store feed, straw or other bedding, and other goat-related equipments.

You need to leave space for feeders and waterers, which will keep the house cleaner and prevent wasting of feed. All animals should be able to eat or drink at one time.

If your goats will have access to a lot of woods, pasture, and other range areas, you will need 10 to 15 square feet per goat indoors for sleeping space. If not, you’ll need about 20 square feet per goat for sleeping space and 30 square feet for exercise (ideally, this would be outdoors).

Each adult goat needs at least a 4-foot by 5-foot kidding pen, so consider this space in your goat shelter depending on how many does you will breed at one time.



You can have different does kid at different times in the same pen if you clean and sanitize the pen between kiddings.

Feeding
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