Beef tenderness predictor works for pork Tuesday, October 2, 2012 A beef tenderness predictor also works on pork chops, says the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).The technology is based on visible and near-infrared reflectance (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy and predicts tenderness without destroying the valuable parts of the carcass. The tenderness predictor was validated using a shear cutting test to measure tenderness. It can be used to predict which USDA Select grade beef steaks will be tender when cooked.Pork isn't presented for grading the same way, so the challenge was different. A computer model was used to predict tenderness and that test was validated using 1,800 boneless loin chops during the boning and trimming process in commercial meat plants. The test also predicts which cuts of meat will look fresh longest in the grocery store. If the industry adopts the technology, the ARS' news service says, genetic selection might be based on predictions of the colour of the meat and also of tenderness. BP Diagnosing and treating umbilical and inguinal hernias in pigs The son of H1N1 spreads, with less panic
October ag minister roundup Monday, October 20, 2025 Farms.com is again scouring social media and online activity to see what Canada’s ministers of agriculture are doing to support farmers and the industry overall. Beginning with federal Minister Heath MacDonald, he and some of his provincial counterparts recently returned from four days of... Read this article online
Out of Feed, Out of Luck: The Real Cost of Feed Delivery Failures in Swine Operations By Casey L. Bradley, Ph.D. – Animistic Monday, October 20, 2025 From Science to the Barn: What We Know About Feed Gaps Whether you’re managing a 2,400-head finishing barn or a 6,000-sow farrow-to-wean, the assumption is that if the bin has feed, the pigs are eating. But what if they’re not? Feed outages—defined as either full-blown empty feeders or... Read this article online
Open Trade Between Canada and the U.S. Key to Agricultural Stability Monday, October 20, 2025 Florian Possberg, a partner with Polar Pork Farms, is emphasizing the importance of maintaining open, two-way agricultural trade across the Canada–U.S. border to ensure ongoing economic stability for North American agriculture. Last month, the Office of the United States Trade... Read this article online
Public Outreach Efforts Strengthen Awareness of Wild Pig Threats in Manitoba Monday, October 20, 2025 Efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of wild pigs in Manitoba are proving successful, according to Dr. Wayne Lees, Coordinator of Squeal on Pigs Manitoba. Wild pigs pose a significant environmental and agricultural risk—destroying landscapes, competing with native species... Read this article online
Ontario Hog Market Trends (Week Ending Oct. 10, 2025) Monday, October 20, 2025 Compiled by Jaydee Smith, OMAFRA Swine Specialist Ontario hog prices continued to soften heading into mid-October. The 100% Base Formula Price averaged $254.09/ckg, down from $262.21 the previous week — marking the lowest level in five weeks. Despite this dip, prices remain well above... Read this article online