Thursday morning cup of hot tea here as I listen to thunder rumble in the distance. Rain is forecasted for the next 2 days so I will put the garden away and concentrate on some housework and cooking. Thought I would share some more pictures of the gardens. The gooseberries above are swelling now and all the 8 bushes have berries on them now. Yesterday I got all my broccoli and cabbage plants in the boxes. They were the perfect size and ready for their permanent homes in the garden. Planting them right before rain will allow them to acclimate for the next two raiy days and not even wilt. Also got some romaine plants in...

Increasing pressure against the use of zinc oxide in pig herds has left farmers concerned about whether an alternative will be as effective at controlling disease and maintaining animal health. New research suggests that an alternative is not only already available, but offers more benefits. Pigs with a large population of healthy bacteria in their guts can better withstand harmful bacteria and pathogens. Photo: Lindi Botha For years, the inclusion of zinc oxide in pigs’ diets has been considered crucial in controlling harmful organisms such as E. coli. While this inorganic compound’s effectiveness at eliminating diseases is undisputed, there are downsides to using it. Dr Jules Taylor-Pickard, a nutritionist at Alltech, notes that zinc also ends up...