U.S. sow gestation stalls under attack Sunday, April 1, 2012 The pressure to end the use of dry sow stalls is growing south of the border, and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is the vise. In early February, the Austin Daily Herald in Minnesota reported that Jeff Ettinge, chief executive of Hormel Foods, announced at its annual general meeting plans to end use of sow gestation crates on its Arizona farms by next year and in Colorado and Wyoming by 2017. Ettinge was responding to a question from a member of the HSUS, which is a shareholder.At about the same time, the HSUS announced it was going after Wal-Mart suppliers Seaboard Foods and Prestige Farms. HSUS subsequently complained to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Federal Trade Commission that Seaboard and Prestige spread "grossly false and misleading statements" about its animal welfare practices."McDonald's Corporation announced it will require its U.S. pork suppliers to outline their plans to phase out use of sow gestation stalls by May. "McDonald's wants to see the end of sow confinement in gestation stalls in our supply chain," said a joint press release with HSUS.In addition, Bon Appetit Management, a nationwide food service operator, announced it would phase out pork products from stall-housed sows by 2015. BP Behind the Lines - April 2012 Pakistan capital inundated with wild boars
CANXPORT Opens at Prince Rupert, Boosting Canadian Grain and Ag Exports Friday, August 28, 2026 Yesterdaymarked the grand opening of the CANXPORT facility at the Port of Prince Rupert, unveiling a significant new piece of trade infrastructure that is expected to benefit agricultural exporters across Western Canada. The facility, formerly known as the Ridley Island Export... Read this article online
The Alberta Federation of Agriculture warns producers could face higher expenses during harvest Friday, August 28, 2026 Canadian farmers are bracing for another round of financial pressure as escalating trade tensions between Canada and the United States begin to affect agricultural supply chains. The Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA) is warning that while Canada has every right to respond to... Read this article online
AFA Calls for National Agriculture Strategy as Weather and Trade Risks Grow Friday, August 28, 2026 While recent trade tensions are drawing national attention, agricultural leaders say another story deserves equal focus: the need for a long-term strategy that helps Canadian agriculture remain competitive in an increasingly uncertain world. The Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA)... Read this article online
Alberta Boosts Aid for Weather Hit Producers Friday, August 28, 2026 Farmers across Alberta are receiving additional support after extreme moisture created difficult growing conditions during the 2026 season. The Governments of Alberta and Canada have introduced changes to the AgriStability program to help producers manage financial risks caused by... Read this article online
CAAIN receives $50 million from Ottawa Thursday, August 27, 2026 The federal government is investing in Canadian agriculture through technological innovation. Ottawa is providing the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) with $50 million to support its work of funding innovative projects in ag, Industry Minister Mélanie... Read this article online