New Zealand clamps down on sow stalls Sunday, February 6, 2011 In a December editorial, The New Zealand Herald credits "the power of shoppers" for forcing a new country-wide pig handling code that will limit the time sows spend in dry stalls beginning in late 2012 and ban stalls outright three years later.A furor followed the May 2009 televising of a tape made during a night-time break-in at a pig barn by a radical group, accompanied by former pork industry pitchman, an iconic New Zealand comedian. Agriculture Minister David Carter ordered an urgent review of the pig welfare code, which allowed pregnant sows to be kept in individual stalls with a minimum area of 1.2 square metres.In December, 2009, the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee announced that the pork industry threatened legal action if draft rewritten regulations were published. There were 18,000 separate public submissions to subsequent hearings, according to the Herald.New Zealand pork farmers have a marketing opportunity through country-of-origin labelling, the Herald editorial said. "The fact that sow stalls are still used in North America, the source of most imported pork, will not be lost on ethical shoppers." BP Commercial feed is the salmonella culprit Behind the Lines - February 2011
Ag in federal NDP leadership candidate plans Wednesday, February 18, 2026 The federal NDP will elect its next leader next month at the Winnipeg Convention. Before that, though, the five candidates vying for the leadership will participate in their final leadership debate in B.C. on Feb. 19. With that at top of mind, here’s how the leadership hopefuls and... Read this article online
Indoor Berry Farming Without Bees Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Montel Inc, a Canadian manufacturer that makes high-density mobile systems and vertical farming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to advance indoor berry production without bees. The collaboration will focus on developing and testing a... Read this article online
Essential Pre-Season Seeder Prep Every Farmer Should Do Tuesday, February 17, 2026 A successful planting season starts long before the tractor hits the field. Whether you run an air seeder, box drill, or precision planter, proper preseason maintenance ensures accurate seed placement, consistent emergence, and fewer costly breakdowns. Here is a guide to getting your... Read this article online
Ag in the House: Feb. 9 – 13 Tuesday, February 17, 2026 John Barlow, the Conservative agriculture critic, wanted answers about Canada’s dealings with China and how it pertains to canola farmers. On Feb. 12, and citing a Reuters report, Barlow asked for clarification about when Canadian canola farmers would see the tariff relief the prime... Read this article online
AWC Helps Women Navigate Hard Moments in Agriculture Tuesday, February 17, 2026 In these difficult economic times in agriculture, you may be needing to have a few hard conversations. When a conversation feels tough, it’s often because something meaningful is on the line — a relationship, a job, respect, expectations, or even your own boundaries. No wonder your nervous... Read this article online