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
Ag groups call for pause to AAFC cuts Friday, March 20, 2026 Close to two dozen Canadian ag groups wrote to Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald to ask for an immediate pause to the scheduled cuts at AAFC research facilities. The federal government is closing seven ag research sites and eliminating 665 positions to support the prime minister’s goal... Read this article online
Top Tillage Equipment for Large Acreage Farming - A 2026 Buyer’s Guide Thursday, March 19, 2026 Choosing the right tillage equipment is crucial for high acreage growers managing heavy residue, variable soil conditions, and the need for efficient seedbed preparation. Today’s leading tillage systems combine residue sizing, soil preservation, and operational efficiency—while pairing... Read this article online
Corteva introduces Lumiscend LUXE fungicide seed treatment Thursday, March 19, 2026 Corteva has launched a new fungicide seed treatment in time for the 2026 planting season. Lumiscend LUXE combines four active ingredients – difenoconazole, metalaxyl-M and S-isomer, ipconazole, and inpyrfluxam – to provide farmers with a robust seed treatment option spanning Groups 3, 4,... Read this article online
CGC issues multiple licenses on March 18 Thursday, March 19, 2026 Two Canadian and one American grain handler received licenses from the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) on March 18. One of the Canadian companies, Red River Seeds in Morris, Man., the leading buyer of rye grain in Western Canada, received two licenses. One of those licenses is a grain... Read this article online
ADM and Bunge Earn Spots on 2026 World’s Most Ethical Companies List Thursday, March 19, 2026 Two major agricultural companies, ADM and Bunge, have been named to the 2026 World’s Most Ethical Companies list by Ethisphere, a global authority on defining and advancing ethical business practices. The recognition places both companies among nine honorees in the Food, Beverage and... Read this article online