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
Tariff tools Thursday, September 10, 2026 As the trade war between Canada and the U.S. continues, keeping track of what is tariffed, at what rate, and how much a tariffed product might cost, could be challenging. Multiple tools and resources are available to help Canadians during these difficult times. CalcWise, for example,... Read this article online
Premier Ford names new ag minister in cabinet shuffle Thursday, September 10, 2026 When the Ontario legislature returns in October, the province’s agriculture industry will have a new voice at Queen’s Park. In a Sept. 10 cabinet shuffle, Premier Ford named Sam Oosterhoff as the new minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness. He takes over for Trevor Jones, who... Read this article online
Canada Trade Tribunal Submits Report on Vegetable Imports and Potential Industry Injury Thursday, September 10, 2026 The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has submitted its report on imports of certain vegetable goods to the Governor in Council following a six-month safeguard inquiry into potential injury to Canadian producers. The Tribunal announced Sept. 9 that the report contains its... Read this article online
New Irrimap tool designed to improve irrigation and crop management Wednesday, September 9, 2026 A new tool is available to help Alberta farmers and trusted ag advisors make better irrigation decisions. The web-based program is called Irrimap and is the result of work at Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Mueller Irrigation Research Group (MIRG) with support from AAFC and the Saskatchewan... Read this article online
New Manitoba-EIT Food Partnership Fuels Agrifood Growth Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Government of Manitoba and EIT Food have announced a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Manitoba’s agriculture and agrifood innovation ecosystem while supporting sustainable growth and global competitiveness. The collaboration will connect Manitoba’s agricultural... Read this article online