'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
Saskatchewan Pulse Research Gets Major Boost Saturday, January 17, 2026 Saskatchewan Pulse Growers has announced major new funding to support pulse crop research across the province. Through co-funding with Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund, more than four million dollars will be invested in research that strengthens the pulse industry and supports... Read this article online
Ag community wanted for cover crop survey Saturday, January 17, 2026 Researchers from Manitoba and Ontario are looking for members of ag communities from Alberta to Ontario to participate in a questionnaire about cover crops. The confidential survey is open to any farm type and size whether the operation has ever grown cover crops. “We don’t just want... Read this article online
Elyce Simpson Fraser Wins Pulse Promoter Award Friday, January 16, 2026 Saskatchewan Pulse Growers has named Elyce Simpson Fraser as the recipient of the 2025 Pulse Promoter Award. She is being recognized for her strong leadership in expanding value-added pulse processing and for her ongoing efforts to promote Saskatchewan pulses within local... Read this article online
SARM Welcomes Pause on Livestock Traceability Rules Friday, January 16, 2026 The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities has welcomed the federal government’s decision to pause the publication of proposed livestock traceability regulations. The organization says the pause isan important steptoward developing a system that works for cattle producers and rural... Read this article online
RFA Supports Canadas Clean Fuel Regulations Update Friday, January 16, 2026 The Renewable Fuels Association has shared its comments with Environment and Climate Change Canada in support of Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations. The organization also offered its views onpossible changesthat could strengthen the program while keeping its main goal of reducing greenhouse gas... Read this article online