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
CUSMA Review Raises Concerns Over Potential U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Pork Thursday, December 11, 2025 As the first formal review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) approaches in July, pork producers across North America are bracing for potential impacts—especially the possibility of new U.S. tariffs on Canadian agriculture. Florian Possberg, Partner at Polar Pork Farms,... Read this article online
New restrictions placed on hunting, farming 'incredibly destructive' wild boars in Alberta Thursday, December 11, 2025 Wild boars have been declared "a pest in all circumstances" by the Alberta government effective Dec. 1, meaning new restrictions have been placed on keeping them in captivity and hunting them in the wild. It is now illegal to keep, buy, sell, obtain or transport wild boars in Alberta... Read this article online
Ontario Animal Health Network (OAHN) Swine Network Quarterly Industry Report Thursday, December 11, 2025 Starting in 2015, Senecavirus A (SVA) has caused intermittent complications with respect to the export of Canadian cull animals to the United States. This disease resembles reportable swine vesicular diseases. This is a national issue and since June 2025 has impacted Ontario cull sow... Read this article online
Ag in the House: Dec. 1 – 5 Thursday, December 11, 2025 While government and opposition MPs sparred over the carbon tax multiple times last week, a direct mention of agriculture first came on Dec. 4. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre highlighted findings in Dalhousie University’s food price report for 2026, which indicates food prices are... Read this article online
Smokin’ weeds Thursday, December 11, 2025 With American families facing high food prices and farmers burdened by rising operating costs, weed pressure has become an even more costly threat to US food production. Resistant weeds continue to spread, increasing spray complexity and forcing many farms to spend significantly more on... Read this article online