Rats are intelligent enough to distinguish between two human languages, but a more frightening fact is that rats are evolving to stay alive. Tests were conducted on 191 black rat tails in four of Australia’s most populated cities and the results show a genetic mutation called Tyr25Phe. The research has shown this genetic mutation increases their resistance to commonly used poisons. Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (otherwise known as SGARS) is one such poison, and experts have called out its negative effects on wildlife. It has shown that SGARSs is responsible for the death of non-target animals, such as tawny frogmouths …

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Mycotoxin poisoning in livestock Mycotoxins are formed as a by-product of fungi and mould growth. These compounds can be quite varied chemically, however, a number of them pose serious risk to human and animal health. As with any livestock farming, animal health and wellbeing is closely linked with production and overall profitability. Reducing the effects of any mycotoxins ingested by animals is vital. Common types of mycotoxins Not all types of moulds or fungi produce toxins, and not all are dangerous to human or livestock health. Interestingly, different types of mould may actually produce the same mycotoxin. This, the species of …

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Rodent Control for Rats and Mice Rodents are an ever-present problem in farming, commercial and industrial environments, especially where foodstuffs are involved. Rats and mice breed at an incredible rate. A female rat has the potential to conceive every 7-10 days. With a gestation period of about a month, they give birth to litters of 3-6 pups. This means that a single breeding pair of rats has the potential to produce a colony of over five thousand rats in a year. An adult rat will consume approximately ten percent of its body weight in food per day. For an average …

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What is algae? Algae grows in ponds and dams and can form a green scum across slow-moving waters, coating rocks and other surfaces. Algae growth reduces flow rates, block pipes and pumps, reducing the availability of water for livestock, agricultural, mining, industrial applications and potable water supplies. The term algae is a multiple of the word alga. Algae is a general term covering a wide variety of microscopic organisms. Distinguishing features separating them from plants is the lack of a root system, stems, leaves and vascular system. The number of individual species of algae ranges between 35,000 and 1 million. …

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