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
Atlantic ag rundown Tuesday, September 15, 2026 There’s been some activity in the ag communities in Atlantic Canada, and Farms.com is here to keep you updated on those developments. P.E.I. has a new minister of agriculture. On Sept. 2, Premier Rob Lantz appointed Hilton MacLennan as the province’s new ag minister in a cabinet... Read this article online
Manitoba has Canada’s first case of HPAI since May Tuesday, September 15, 2026 An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Manitoba is Canada’s first in months. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the detection on Sept. 10 on a commercial poultry operation in the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry. Agriculture is the community’s... Read this article online
Canadian beef regains access to the Dominican Republic Tuesday, September 15, 2026 The Dominican Republic has reopened its borders to Canadian beef. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) made the announcement, which applies to beef and beef products, including offal, from cattle of all ages, on Sept. 11. JBS Food and Cargill in Alberta, and Tru North Foods in... Read this article online
Alberta, B.C. Cattle Producers Unite to Support Wildfire-Affected Ranchers Monday, September 14, 2026 Cattle organizations in Alberta and British Columbia are joining forces to help livestock producers navigate the ongoing challenges created by wildfires, drought, and feed shortages. The B.C. Cattlemen's Association (BCCA) and Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) have announced a... Read this article online
Tight Corn Supplies and Rising Chinese Demand Could Fuel Next Grain Market Rally Monday, September 14, 2026 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's September crop report delivered a mixed reaction from grain markets, but according to Farms.com Risk Management Chief Commodity Strategist Moe Agostino, the longer-term outlook remains constructive for corn and soybeans. Speaking during the for... Read this article online