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All that glitters….WARNING….
Normally, we don’t comment on your comments but we hope you’ll check out the input from one of our readers in the “All that glitters” post below. It may be that there is reason to think…or at least be extremely careful in the application of glitter to animals as a fly control measure. Thanks to Nora Whelan for the input.
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As if we didn’t know….
….it turns out that an important arm of Big Ag (and Big Chemical) is the Farm Bureau. This non-profit giant, basing much of its clout on its insurance business, claims to represent the American farmer. In fact, it is a mouthpiece for some of the worst farming practices. Here’s the link: http://thefern.org/2012/07/farm-bureau-gets-a-closer-look-in-new-report/
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Rub a little dirt in it….
….or better yet eat it. I’ve read things like this before, but never in so august a journal as the New York Times. Turns out those chemicals we spray on things or rub on our hands to prevent disease are (guess what) leaving us more vulnerable to disease. Microbes may cause disease but it’s also microbes that fight the bad bugs and you don’t want to wipe them out. Here’s a link to the full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/opinion/lets-add-a-little-dirt-to-our-diet.html?_r=2&emc=eta1&utm_source=August+2012+Enews&utm_campaign=FCA+August+2012+Enews&utm_medium=email This isn’t exactly a scientific breakthrough. I remember some years back (okay, like maybe 50) when as horrified parents we saw one of our progeny eating dirt and ran to the pediatrician. Compounding…
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All that glitters….
….could be natural fly control. At least that’s what our friend and holistic vet Sue Beal thinks. I’ve been away on business all week and returned to find an email from Sue to some kindred spirits suggesting her “horse-y” buddies are doing “crafty” things to chase flies. But let Sue tell it: Weeeelllll, I spoke to some colleagues who work in the horse world a week or so ago and they recounted a series of reports and on farm experiences using glitter (you know, sparkle dust, craft glitter…..) on horses as an effective fly repellent. Apparently the flies see the glitter as some sort of predator beast and avoid the animal. So,…