'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
What are machinery manufacturers excited about for 2026? Friday, January 2, 2026 With 2026 around the corner, Farms.com contacted reps from multiple equipment manufacturers to see what pieces of machinery or technology they’re excited for farmers to use in the new year. For CLAAS, it’s the JAGUAR 1000 Series forage harvesters it released in August. “It’s really... Read this article online
Breaking Barriers -- Why 2026 Is the Year of the Women Farmer Friday, January 2, 2026 Empowering women in agriculture through mechanization, technology, and equal opportunity As many will know, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 2026 as the International Year of the Women Farmer (IYWF), with 123 countries co-sponsoring the initiative.... Read this article online
Import restrictions in place due to FMD identified in Cyprus Tuesday, December 30, 2025 An outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has been detected in Cyprus, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). As a result, the CFIA implemented import restrictions on commodities from Cyprus "to safeguard the health of Canada’s livestock and mitigate the economic... Read this article online
Women Farmers Drive Growth in Canadian Agriculture Monday, December 29, 2025 For the first time since 1991, Statistics Canada reports a significant increase in female farm operators across Canada. In 2021, there were nearly 80,000 women leading farm operations. Today, that number is closer to 90,000—a milestone that reflects a powerful shift in the agricultural... Read this article online
Pocket Chainsaw: Change the Way You Deal with Pesky Trees and Bushes Friday, December 26, 2025 Are you frustrated with small trees and bushes along your farm's fence line, and tired of the hassle of starting your traditional chainsaw? The pocket chainsaw might be the perfect solution for you. Mountain Lab Gear is a company founded on a passion for the outdoors and a desire to improve... Read this article online