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
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
Conservatives commit to hold Liberals to account over research farms Wednesday, September 9, 2026 When Parliament resumes this fall, the Conservatives are committed to holding the government accountable for its closure of multiple research farms. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilevre on Sept. 7told reporters “Yes” when asked if there would be more action from the opposition on this... Read this article online
Canada Breaks Ground on Largest Carbon Capture Project, Creating Potential Opportunities for Agriculture Wednesday, September 9, 2026 Canada has taken a step toward net-zero emissions goals with the launch of construction on what is expected to become the country's largest carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. Federal and Alberta government officials joined Enhance Energy on September 9 to mark the start of... Read this article online
Stephen Heckbert Takes FVGC Leadership Tuesday, September 8, 2026 The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC)hasnamedStephen Heckbertas its new Executive Director. He officially assumed the role on September 8 andbringsmore than 25 years of leadership experience in communications, advocacy, and organizational management. Heckbert is well known... Read this article online