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
CFIA Reports Show Strong Canadian Food Safety Compliance Across National Testing Programs Friday, June 5, 2026 Newly released data from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirms high compliance rates across commodities, as well as domestic and imported food products. The results, drawn from multiple national monitoring programs, highlight the effectiveness of Canada’s science-based... Read this article online
: Ontario Crops Show Strong Start Despite Weather Challenges Friday, June 5, 2026 Acorrding to the OMAFA fieldcropnews.com, crop conditions across Ontario indicate a generally positive start to the growing season, although dry weather and cool soil temperatures have created uneven growth and management challenges. Corn planting is nearly complete across most... Read this article online
FCC says with Productivity Gains, Canada’s Food Manufacturing Sector Could Add $40 Billion Friday, June 5, 2026 Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing sector could deliver a major economic boost over the next decade, but only if productivity growth accelerates, according to a new report from Farm Credit Canada (FCC). The report, , outlines how achieving three per cent annual GDP growth could add... Read this article online
North American Farm Groups Unite to Strengthen USMCA/CUSMA Ahead of 2026 Review Friday, June 5, 2026 Agricultural organizations from across the United States, Canada, and Mexico are presenting a unified message to governments: protect and strengthen the North American trade framework that underpins the continent’s food system. The letter, addressed to senior trade officials in all... Read this article online
FCC Investment Boosts Farm Lending Canada Growth Thursday, June 4, 2026 Farm Lending Canada (FLC) has received a strategic investment from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) to improve access to financing for farmers across Canada. This investment forms part of FCC’s broader plan to invest$2 billionin the agriculture and food sector by the year 2030. The funding aims... Read this article online