'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
Equipment Technician Demand Reaches New Highs Friday, September 25, 2026 Canada's agriculture and construction equipment industry is facing a growing shortage of skilled technicians, according to a new report released by industry organizations the Canada Equipment Dealers Association (CEDF)and the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF). The findings... Read this article online
B.C. ag minister won’t seek re-election Friday, September 25, 2026 British Columbia’s minister of agriculture won’t run in the next provincial election when the time comes. Lana Popham, the NDP MLA for Saanich South currently in her second tenure as the ag community’s voice in the provincial legislature, made the announcement on Sept. 21. “I am sad to... Read this article online
Dorothy Long Leads New Era for Canadian Food Focus Thursday, September 24, 2026 Canadian Food Focus is entering a new stage of growth with the appointment of Dorothy Long as Executive Director. The organization, which focuses on improving food literacy and public trust in agriculture, aims to help Canadians better understand where their food comes from and how it is... Read this article online
Judy Sweet Strengthens Future of Farm Education Thursday, September 24, 2026 A significant investment in agricultural education is set to benefit students, researchers and the livestock industry in western Canada. Long-time Lakeland College supporter Judy Sweet has contributed funding to the Student-Managed Farm (SMF) Lab Revitalization Project. The investment... Read this article online
FCC Report Highlights Challenges for Food Manufacturers Thursday, September 24, 2026 Canada’s food and beverage manufacturers are facing a more uncertain business environment as tariffs, trade restrictions and fluctuating energy and transportation costs add pressure to margins, according to a mid-year analysis from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Economics. Industry sales... Read this article online