Beef tenderness predictor works for pork Tuesday, October 2, 2012 A beef tenderness predictor also works on pork chops, says the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).The technology is based on visible and near-infrared reflectance (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy and predicts tenderness without destroying the valuable parts of the carcass. The tenderness predictor was validated using a shear cutting test to measure tenderness. It can be used to predict which USDA Select grade beef steaks will be tender when cooked.Pork isn't presented for grading the same way, so the challenge was different. A computer model was used to predict tenderness and that test was validated using 1,800 boneless loin chops during the boning and trimming process in commercial meat plants. The test also predicts which cuts of meat will look fresh longest in the grocery store. If the industry adopts the technology, the ARS' news service says, genetic selection might be based on predictions of the colour of the meat and also of tenderness. BP Diagnosing and treating umbilical and inguinal hernias in pigs The son of H1N1 spreads, with less panic
Fertilizer Canada supports Mercosur trade deal Friday, June 19, 2026 A segment of Canada’s ag industry wants the federal government to finalize a trade agreement with South American countries. Fertilizer Canada is unwavering in its support for a Mercosur trade deal. “For Canada’s fertilizer industry, this is not a theoretical opportunity,” Michael... Read this article online
Manitoba Farmers Hit by Flooding Demand Urgent Government Support as Losses Mount Friday, June 19, 2026 Manitoba’s agricultural sector is under intense pressure following last week’s unprecedented rainfall, with producers across several rural municipalities reporting extensive crop damage, flooded fields, and compromised infrastructure. The situation has prompted renewed calls for swift... Read this article online
NOAA Declares El Nino, Raising Key Weather Risks for Agriculture Friday, June 19, 2026 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has officially declared the onset of El Niño, confirming that ocean temperatures in the central Pacific have risen high enough to trigger one of the world’s most influential climate patterns. The declaration follows sustained... Read this article online
Competition Bureau looking at Canada’s food supply chain Friday, June 19, 2026 Canada’s food supply chain from harvest to store shelf will be under the Competition Bureau’s microscope for the next year. The bureau announced its investigation on June 16 with a final report scheduled for release next spring. “Food prices have risen sharply in recent years, putting... Read this article online
Ag in the House: June 8 – 12 Friday, June 19, 2026 During question period on June 8, a Bloc MP wanted answers related to a provision about agriculture placed inside Bill C-30, the Spring Economic Update Implementation Act. Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, the MP for Rimouski—La Matapédia, wanted to know if the government will remove parts of the... Read this article online