Smithfield moves into gas production Friday, April 8, 2016 The largest pork-producing company in the world is months away from opening the largest manure-to-energy project of its kind in the United States.Nine Smithfield Foods farms housing almost two million pigs in Missouri are involved. The US$120 million project, begun in 2014, involves installation of impermeable covers and flare systems on 88 existing lagoons, each capable of holding about 15 million U.S. gallons. The hog manure will produce approximately 2.2 billion cubic feet of pipeline-quality renewable natural gas annually, equal to 17 million gallons of diesel fuel. The equivalent of 850,000 tonnes of CO² will be prevented from entering the atmosphere. Rain will be kept out of the lagoons and odour reduced.The builders are Missouri-based Roeslein Alternative Energy and ABUTEC (an acronym for Advanced Burner Technologies.), based in Georgia. According to press releases and reports, ABUTEC will install 1.5 megawatt electrical generators to deal with excess methane, letting Smithfield access about US$1 million-worth of carbon credits. Duke Energy in North Carolina will purchase the gas to meet clean energy requirements for power generation. Blake Boxley, Director of Environmental Health and Safety for Smithfield Hog Production, says this project can be replicated across the country. BP Ontario's pork industry faces an era of 'accountability and change' That whacky Chinese pork stock market
Ag in the House: Oct. 6 – 10 Tuesday, October 14, 2025 The Liberal government held its position on supply management when the Bloc Quebecois pressed MPs on the topic during question period last week. On Oct. 7, Yves Perron, the Bloc’s agriculture critic, reminded the House about Bill C-202 and how it protects supply management. He asked... Read this article online
Horror movies filmed in rural Ontario Tuesday, October 14, 2025 As picturesque as rural Ontario and its farm settings can be, the landscape can also create the perfect backdrop to send chills down a spine. With that at top of mind and in celebration of all things spooky and horror in October, here are some horror movies filmed around rural... Read this article online
Winter Rules For Spreading Manure in Alberta Monday, October 13, 2025 As winter approaches, Alberta farmers are reminded to review the rules for spreading manure on frozen or snow-covered ground. Under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA), farms with nine months or more of manure storage are not permitted to spread manure during the winter unless... Read this article online
AITC SK launches third Acres for Education campaign Monday, October 13, 2025 Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK) is encouraging farmers, ranchers, and agri-businesses across the province to participate in the third annual Acres for Education fundraising campaign. This initiative helps bring agriculture to life for thousands of students by connecting... Read this article online
Alberta Harvest Surges Ahead with Warm Dry Weather Monday, October 13, 2025 According to the AFSC and Alberta Government Crop Reporting Survey, Alberta’s 2025 harvest has made strong progress under warm and dry conditions. As of September 23, 77 percent of major crops were harvested — an 18 percent increase over the previous week. The pace is well ahead of the... Read this article online