USA - Alpaca farmer says dog attacks happen regularly on her farm

17.01.2019 463 views
Meghan Arriola has had an East El Paso farm in her family for generations. During that time, one situation has happened a lot more than she’d like to see. “Out here on the farm we do experience dog attacks,” Arriola said. She told she understands how the owners of Licon Dairy feel after two dogs slaughtered 10 of their animals. “It’s just so upsetting and heartbreaking seeing someone’s dogs here killing your animals,” Arriola said. “You feel the loss. You feel the pain. These animals die very horrific ways.” She says a pack of dogs came into her farm and killed an alpaca and five or six chickens on Dec. 13, 2018. There is one method she swears by to prevent more of the alpaca from being killed. “In fact, I have two llamas that protected a herd of female alpacas from being killed that night,” Arriola said. “They protected them. They moved them away from the area where this attack was happening. It’s hard to be everywhere when you’re on a farm so you need as much help as you can get.” Those llamas are considered livestock guardians. Arriola said animals like dogs, llamas and donkeys can be bred and taught to protect livestock on a farm. One of her other livestock guardians, a Great Pyrenees, was killed during the attack. These guardians are helpful. But there’s no surefire guarantee for any livestock’s safety, according to Arriola. “My animals are locked up at night in dog-proof pens. But it’s hard to say something is dog-proof,” Arriola said. “Because like Licon Dairy, you have all this fencing up and if you have a really big dog that wants to get in they will.” The city of El Paso’s Animal Services told KFOX14 that it does remind people to secure their pets properly. If an animal is found unsecured on another person’s property or in a neighborhood, it can result in a class C misdemeanor and a fine of up to $2,000. Source - https://kfoxtv.com
11.03.2026

Scaling up crop insurance in Africa for climate resilience and agricultural transformation

As climate change impacts intensify, African economies face increasing exposure to extreme weather events. The World Bank estimates that nearly 18% of the world’s population is at risk from severe weather events from which recovery would be difficult; in Africa, that number is 37%.

11.03.2026

USA - Specialty Crop Losses Outpace Federal Bridge Assistance Funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rolling out a new Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program for specialty crops — that is, crops not included in the first $1 billion relief package — but early analysis from Terrain suggests economic losses across the sector far exceed available funding.

11.03.2026

India - Maharashtra Govt Sanctions ₹15.77 Crore Relief For Jalgaon Farmers, Increases Compensation Limit To 3 Hectares

Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil informed the Assembly that the Government of Maharashtra has sanctioned ₹15.77 crore for farmers in Jalgaon district affected by crop damage due to unseasonal rains in Raver and Yawal talukas.

11.03.2026

Fertilizer emissions may damage soil bacteria that help crops grow

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is usually discussed as a climate problem – a powerful greenhouse gas that can spike in soils after fertilizer use. But new research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) suggests it may also play an unexpected biological role.

11.03.2026

India - ₹243.52 crore interim crop insurance relief released to 2.9 lakh farmers in Kalaburagi

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge said the State government would make every effort to ensure that the proposed Millet Hub is established in Kalaburagi district, provided the Agriculture Department submits a detailed project report (DPR) along with a blueprint at the earliest.

11.03.2026

USA - Wheat Prices Rise on Poor Crop Conditions as Insurance Deadline Nears for Spring Plantings

Wheat markets have seen strong price movement in recent days following a disappointing crop condition report across several major producing states.

10.03.2026

India - Nearly all crop insurance claims settled, Centre tells Lok Sabha

The Centre on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that nearly all claims under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) have been settled, asserting that the crop insurance scheme now ensures timely and transparent compensation for farmers across the country.

10.03.2026

Turkish Malatya apricot crop recovers after 2025 frost damage

Malatya in Turkey, which accounts for about 85% of global dried apricot production, is entering the budding stage following frost damage recorded in April 2025. Early assessments from the region indicate improved crop conditions compared with earlier expectations.