Latest news with #Kealy
ABC News
7 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Victorian sheep farmer makes breakthrough in bid to breed footrot-resistant sheep
A Victorian merino stud has bred its first line of footrot-resistant rams in a major step forward against a disease that costs the sheep industry more than $80 million a year. The Kealy family in Edenhope has been working towards the goal for years but biosecurity restrictions and the lack of a breeding value for footrot in Australia have been stumbling blocks. Australian sheep breeding values are a prediction of an animal's genetic merit for particular traits such as growth, eating quality, wool production, reproduction, and health. Stud co-principal Elise Kealy said it was an exciting step. "We have bred a line of rams which we are confident will have good footrot resistance, which will be a bit of a first for the industry," she said. Footrot is a contagious disease that attacks the tissue between the horn and the flesh of a sheep's hoof, causing lameness and other problems. "They lose weight, they don't lactate properly, their reproduction isn't as good, their wool production goes down," Ms Kealy said. New Zealand has had a breeding value for footrot since 2020, but Australia does not have one yet. "That means farmers in New Zealand can measure it, record it and select for it," Ms Kealy said. "We can't do that and we also can't buy New Zealand semen or rams and bring them back here, for biosecurity reasons." The breakthrough came when Ms Kealy happened upon a ram that had excellent natural resistance. "There was a ram born and bred in Australian seven years ago and it had semen collected before it went to New Zealand," she said. "Since then it's had four different age groups of progeny measured for footrot resistance and it's now sitting in the top 10 per cent of the industry for resistance. "We were lucky enough to get some of that semen two years ago, and now we have one-and-a-half-year-old rams coming on with what we think will be very good footrot resistance." Footrot expert Mark Ferguson helped develop the breeding value in New Zealand and is working on doing the same in Australia. "We're closer than we've been before," he said. "We've done a lot of work in New Zealand that's now being translated to Australia." Footrot is more prevalent in places with persistently wet conditions such as New Zealand. "The breeding value been just so powerful for those people in high rainfall areas who are challenged with foot health — places that have had footrot for literally 100 years," he said. A footrot vaccine available in both New Zealand and Australia but Dr Ferguson says it is not a panacea. "They've been a great management tool, but they're not a silver bullet," he said. "But by actually shifting the population to a more resistant status, those management tools become more effective because you've got less disease around. "So all of these things need to go together to give farmers a great combination of things they can use to keep feet health up to the standard they'd love to."
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Let the chips fall': New B.C. party's leader vows to go where others won't
VICTORIA - The interim leader of B.C.'s newest political party says it will raise issues other parties won't dare to touch. Dallas Brodie said these included the effects of the 'reconciliation industry,' electoral reform, and ending mass immigration, and she will 'let the chips fall where they may' when it's time to run for re-election. The new One BC party went public on Thursday, with Brodie announcing herself as interim leader and Tara Armstrong house leader as they unveiled plans to combat what Brodie called 'the globalist assault' on B.C.'s history, culture and families. 'Tara and I are taking a principled stance,' Brodie said in an interview on Friday. 'We believe that there is room for the discussions that we are raising, and we will take our shots at the polls, and we will do our best to build (the party).' Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad kicked Brodie out of caucus in March following comments about residential schools, and Armstrong and Jordan Kealy followed her out. All three sat as Independents before the creation of One BC, and Kealy said he hasn't ruled out joining the new party, although he has doubts about its chances. Brodie said the party has four planks: major cuts to taxes and government spending; dismantling 'the reconciliation industry and ending racist laws like … the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act;' ending mass immigration, and introducing democratic reform that would see most B.C. residents vote on the same day with ballots counted by hand. The party's website also calls for the support of a 'broad array of life-affirming policies to increase birthrates, marriage rates, and life expectancy among other indicators of a healthy and vibrant society.' Brodie acknowledged that her former party had campaigned on many of those issues, when asked what her new party is offering that the Conservatives aren't. 'Also what we ran on was being strong on social issues, and that has been all watered down by the Conservative Party,' she said. '(There) is almost no difference between them and the NDP that I can see at this point — it's NDP and NDP Light.' Brodie said she believes there are other members of the legislature who will join her party, but she declined to identify them. Two sitting members in the house give One BC official party status, which Brodie said would make the party more 'interesting to other MLAs, who are still in the Conservative caucus.' Kealy said in an interview Friday that he questioned the new party's electoral prospects. 'I think they'll have a very difficult time getting re-elected, because I think that spectrum of (potential) voters is becoming disenfranchised, and in all honesty, I think talk is cheap.' Kealy said his role as an MLA is to fix existing problems in his riding of Peace River North, adding that his experience of seeing the Conservatives turn into a 'big tent party' has made him 'cautious' about joining another party. 'I have said that even before I joined the Conservative Party, that I am doing this for my region first and foremost, and I will not be whipped by a party.' Brodie said the door remains open for Kealy. Mark Marissen, a political strategist and former mayoral candidate in Vancouver, said on social media that the emergence of One BC is the birth of a 'new anti-First Nations political party.' When asked about Marissen's comments, Brodie said the effects of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act need to be discussed in open and her party is committed to repealing it. 'It's taking a lot of communities by surprise,' she said. Brodie, who represents Vancouver-Quilchena, said the legislature needs to be a place where 'there are no topics that are off limit.' She said few people want to discuss the law passed by the NDP government on the rights of Indigenous Peoples in an 'open' and 'transparent' manner. 'They (would) just rather call people names, and shut down the conversation, and that's not going to help B.C.,' she said. Armstrong is the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream. Brodie has been criticized in the past for comments about First Nations. In February, she wrote on social media that the 'number of confirmed child burials at the former Kamloops Residential School site is zero.' Speaking at an election event in October 2024, Brodie said First Nations demanding autonomy must take responsibility for the problems of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. '(When) a large percentage of your people are on the Downtown Eastside, it's important that you come take responsibility for that piece as well,' she said. 'It's not OK to leave your people dying.' Brodie said she doesn't deny what has happened at residential schools. The New Democratic Party said in a statement that the One BC members are 'fixated on spreading anti-Indigenous racism, attacking the LGBTQ+ community (and) stoking western separatism.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Independent MLA Kealy doubts prospects of new B.C. party, but won't rule out joining
VICTORIA – Independent British Columbia legislator Jordan Kealy says he isn't ruling out joining a new political party formed by two fellow former B.C. Conservatives, but he also questions their electoral prospects. The new One BC party went public on Thursday, with Dallas Brodie announcing herself as interim leader and Tara Armstrong house leader as they unveiled plans to combat what Brodie called 'the globalist assault' on B.C.'s history, culture and families Kealy and Armstrong quit the B.C. Conservatives in March after Leader John Rustad kicked Brodie out of caucus over her comments about residential schools. Kealy says Brodie and Armstrong will find it very difficult getting re-elected under their new party, because it's appealing to a 'spectrum of voters' that he says is becoming 'disenfranchised with the system.' He says he wishes them both good luck, but also adds that 'talk is cheap' and that he will 'not be whipped by a party.' Brodie says in an Instagram post that One BC will defund what she calls 'the reconciliation industry' and build a 'prosperous tax-free B.C.' within a decade. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
Extra.ie
28-05-2025
- Extra.ie
GAA star 'may have fallen asleep at wheel' before fatal accident
The wife of a well-known Gaelic footballer and businessman fought back tears yesterday as she recalled her late husband bringing her breakfast in bed for her birthday on the day he died. The inquest also heard that the man's death two years ago, in a single-vehicle collision, may have occurred after he fell asleep at the wheel due to tiredness. Denis Kealy, 43, suffered fatal injuries when his Nissan Cabstar truck crashed into a tree on the R154 at Piercetown, Co. Meath, at around 2.30 pm on June 24, 2023. He was pronounced dead at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin, a short time later. Former GAA star and businessman Denis Kealy. Pic: His wife, Charlene Kealy, told the inquest that Denis brought her a birthday breakfast in bed on the morning of the crash, before he went off to work. She said she had been celebrating with a number of her girlfriends later that day when she received a phone call about the tragic collision. A father of three boys and managing director of building firm KeaMac, Mr Kealy was a former GAA player with Meath as well as his local club, Dunshaughlin. At the inquest, Coroner Aisling Gannon observed that there were no witnesses to the collision, and the evidence had not been able to establish definitively what happened. Former GAA star and businessman Denis Kealy in 2006. Pic: Damien Eagers / SPORTSFILE Forensic collision investigator Garda John Coughlan told Dublin District Coroner's Court the deceased's vehicle had crossed to the other side of the road 'for some undetermined reason' before mounting a grass verge and hitting a tree. A crash report established that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt. Garda Coughlan said there was no evidence Mr Kealy had applied the vehicle's brakes at any stage during the incident. Having ruled out any environmental or vehicle factors to explain the crash, Garda Coughlan said he believed it was due to 'driver error' but could not be sure if it was because of 'a distraction or a medical event'. A postmortem showed Mr Kealy died as a result of catastrophic brain injuries consistent with a road traffic collision, with no pre-existing health condition or alcohol or drugs present in his system that could have contributed to the fatal crash. Former GAA star and businessman Denis Kealy in 2006. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Honan Ms Kealy said that her husband had recently filled out a lifestyle form in which he complained of regularly feeling drowsy. 'That stuck out to me,' she remarked. Ms Kealy said she had no concerns about her husband's well-being or his mental health, but that he would sometimes shake his head to keep himself awake. The inquest heard he had collected a new car the previous day and had arranged to bring his family to one of their favourite restaurants the following day. Ms Kealy said her husband had taken a day off work to collect the car and that she believed he was 'trying to catch up' with work on the day of the crash. The inquest heard that on the day before he died, Mr Kealy had gotten up at around 4.30 am and did not get home until 11 pm. The deceased's wife said he went to bed at 11.30 pm but was up early the following day as he had sent an email at 6 am. Summing up the evidence, the coroner said there was nothing to indicate any intentional act by Mr Kealy in relation to the crash as the inquest had been told of 'significant future-focused acts', like the purchase of a new car and making a dinner reservation. Ms Gannon noted suggestions that the deceased was 'significantly tired', which she said was a 'more probable' explanation for what may have happened. Offering her condolences to Mr Kealy's family, the coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure, which she explained was because the death was due to an unintended act.
Sunday World
27-05-2025
- Sunday World
Former GAA star killed in crash may have fallen asleep at the wheel, inquest hears
'I've three little boys at home who are devastated by the loss of Denis. They adored him and Denis adored them,' said Ms Kealy. A businessman and well-known Meath GAA figure who was killed in a single vehicle collision two years ago may have fallen asleep at the wheel due to tiredness, an inquest has heard. Denis Kealy (43) suffered fatal injuries when his Nissan Cabstar truck crashed into a tree on the R154 at Piercetown, Co Meath at around 2.30pm on June 24, 2023. Mr Kealy was rushed by ambulance to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in Dublin but was pronounced dead a short time later at 4.20pm. The married father of three and managing director of building firm, KeaMac, was a former GAA player with Meath as well as his local club, Dunshaughlin. At the inquest into his death on Tuesday, the coroner Aisling Gannon observed there were no eyewitnesses to the collision, while the evidence had not been able to establish definitively what had happened. A forensic collision investigator, Garda John Coughlan, told a sitting of Dublin District Coroner's Court that the deceased's vehicle had crossed over to the other side of the road 'for some undetermined reason' before mounting a grass verge and colliding with a tree. Businessman and well-known Meath GAA figure Denis Kealy A report on the crash established that the driver was not wearing a seat belt at the time. Garda Coughlan said there was no evidence that Mr Kealy had applied the vehicle's brakes at any stage during the incident. He confirmed that the road surface was dry and in good repair, while weather conditions were good. Garda Coughlan said tests on the truck found it had no defects which could have contributed to the collision. In reply to questions from the coroner, he said the speed at the point of impact with the tree could not be established. Having ruled out any environmental or vehicle factors to explain the crash, Garda Coughlan said he believed it was due to 'driver error' but could not be sure if it was because of 'a distraction or a medical event.' A postmortem showed Mr Kealy died as a result of catastrophic brain injuries consistent with a road traffic collision with no pre-existing health condition that could have contributed to the fatal crash. Tests confirmed there was no alcohol or drugs in his body. Denis Kealy News in 90 Seconds - May 27th The deceased's wife, Charlene Kealy, gave evidence that her husband had recently filled out questions about his lifestyle in a form in which he complained of regularly feeling drowsy. 'That stuck out to me,' she remarked. Ms Kealy said she had no concern about her husband's well-being or his mental health but noted that he would sometimes shake his head to keep himself awake. The inquest heard he had collected a new car the previous day and had arranged to bring his family to one of their favourite restaurants the following day. Ms Kealy said her husband had taken a day off work to collect the car and she believed he was 'trying to catch up' with work on the day of the crash. The inquest heard on the day before he died, Mr Kealy had got up at around 4.30am and did not get home until 11pm The deceased's wife said he went to bed at 11.30pm but was up early the following day as he had sent an e-mail at 6am. She claimed he was a hard worker who enjoyed his work. While he had a stressful job as a managing director of a company, she said he was well capable of managing such stress. In reply to questions from the coroner, Ms Kealy said their business was doing well financially, while there was nothing that had emerged following his death which would have caused them any concern. Although sometimes she might have complained about some of his driving habits, Ms Kealy said her husband would definitely wear his seat belt whenever she was with him. Ms Kealy fought back tears as the inquest heard that her husband had brought her breakfast in bed on the morning of the fatal crash before he went off to work on a number of sites as it was her birthday. She described how she was celebrating with a number of female friends later that afternoon when she received a call to alert her to what happened. 'I've three little boys at home who are devastated by the loss of Denis. They adored him and Denis adored them,' said Ms Kealy. She added: 'We're broken. We really are.' Summing up the evidence, the coroner said there was nothing to indicate any intentional act by Mr Kealy in relation to the crash as she had heard of 'significant future-focused acts' like the purchase of a new car and making a dinner reservation. Ms Gannon noted suggestions that he was 'significantly tired' which was a 'more probable' explanation for what may have happened. Offering her condolences to the deceased's family, the coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure which she explained was because the death was due to an unintended act.
