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
Canadian Farmland Values Rise Faster Than US Thursday, April 16, 2026 FCC analysis highlights rising land costs and growing affordability pressure Farm Credit Canada has released a new economic analysis that sheds light on changing farmland value trends in Canada and the United States. The study shows that cultivated farmland values in Canada are... Read this article online
Conservative MP wants faster ag product approvals Thursday, April 16, 2026 An Alberta Conservative MP introduced a bill designed to speed up approvals to give farmers access to the tools they need. David Bexte, the MP for Bow River, introduced Bill C-273, the Facilitating Agricultural Regulatory Modernization (FARM) Act on April 14. If passed, the law would... Read this article online
Bill 21 Pause Sparks Rural Water Debate in Manitoba Thursday, April 16, 2026 Opposition requests more consultation on water rules affecting farms Manitoba Progressive Conservatives have decided to delay consideration of Bill 21 a provincial proposal focused on water systems and safety. The decision keeps the bill from moving forward until the fall legislative... Read this article online
Old Farmer’s Almanac releases Canadian summer forecast Thursday, April 16, 2026 What’s in store for summer 2026? For that let’s turn to The Old Farmer’s Almanac and its Canadian summer forecast. “This summer is expected to trend warmer than normal across much of the country, including southern Quebec, the Prairies, and southern British Columbia,” the guide... Read this article online
Royal Canin Clarifies Groundwater Use With Amended Water Permit Near Guelph Thursday, April 16, 2026 Royal Canin Canada Company has received approval from Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to amend its Permit to Take Water (PTTW) for its pet food manufacturing facility near Guelph, Ontario, following weeks of public consultation and local... Read this article online