'Pocket pigs' pose problems Sunday, February 6, 2011 "Pocket pigs" got a big boost last year in Britain when celebrity guests, including soccer star David Beckham and his glamorous wife Victoria, went home from the Golden Globe movie awards with miniature pot-bellied pigs in their goodie bags. The pigs, which cost £3,000 to buy, were compliments of the owner of Patty's Royal Dandie Miniature Pet Pig. It was a good publicity stunt. By early December British authorities were warning of dangers involved in buying these pigs as pets for children. The pigs can carry and pass on the skin condition erysipeloid and the bacterium Streptococcus suis, which can lead to illness, including meningitis and deafness in humans. The micro pigs have been bred down to size, only 28 grams at birth. They still weigh as much as 29 kilograms and 35 centimetres in height when fully grown. They can live to be 18 years old. BP Manitoba producers sink under an increasing burden of regulation Worldwide hog production shrinks and Smithfield rocks
Assessing Hail Damage in Wheat, Barley, Oats and Corn Wednesday, July 8, 2026 Recent severe storms across Manitoba have left some producers facing damaged crops and uncertain yield prospects. Hail ranging from loonie-sized stones to golf ball- and baseball-sized impacts was reported in several agricultural regions over the past week, damaging cereals, canola... Read this article online
Cattle industry stakeholders asked to take Canfax survey Wednesday, July 8, 2026 A cattle industry service provider is asking stakeholders to weigh in on how it can improve. Canfax, the market analysis division of the Canadian Cattle Association, is conducting a survey asking participants to share what datapoints drive decisions on individual farms and the overall... Read this article online
Canadian Grain Commission Updates Grain Grading Rules for 2026-27 Crop Year Wednesday, July 8, 2026 The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is introducing several important changes to grain grading procedures for the 2026-27 crop year, including updates affecting Canada Western Amber Durum, wheat and red lentils. The revisions, which take effect August 1, were developed following... Read this article online
Grain Markets Rebound as Key Crop Reports Surprise Traders Wednesday, July 8, 2026 On the weekly Farms.com Risk Management Ag Commodity Corner+ Podcast with experts Chief Commodity Strategist Moe Agostino and Commodity Strategist Abhinesh Gopal, the discussion focused on major agricultural developments affecting grain, oilseed, and fertilizer markets. The title of the July 3... Read this article online
Major Heat Ridge Builds as Record-Pace El Niño Raises New Weather Concerns Wednesday, July 8, 2026 The past few weeks have already been crazy for agriculture weather wise, with more to come. Nearly 2,000 severe wind reports were recorded across the United States over the past three days, with the most widespread impacts stretching from the central Plains through the Midwest and... Read this article online