An economy where food and pigs count Thursday, October 1, 2009 In China, food makes up one third of the consumer price index and pork is a big chunk of that. On average, the Chinese consume 110 pounds of meat per person per year and 65 per cent of that is pork. There are too many pigs in China, so inflation is likely to be kept in check. China needs 410 million pigs, including 41 million sows, to keep production in equilibrium, according to its central planning agency. There were 44.7 million live hogs and 48.3 million sows at the end of June, a huge increase from the year before, when there was a pork shortage and high prices.In February, 2008, NBC News reported that pork prices had risen 50 per cent compared to the previous year. The rise was blamed on the growing economy, blue ear disease, high grain prices and bad winter weather. Chinese markets are generally independent of world markets, although China does import pork from Smithfield Foods in the United States.There were concerns that raging inflation might cause poor economic times and upheaval in China. Economic and social upheavals in China go hand-in-hand. The last round was in 1989. Does anyone remember Tiananmen Square? BP Why did Ontario pig marketings spike in August? Cover Story: Right-sizing, supply management, the Quebec model?
Think buying Canadian farm equipment is not possible? Meet URSA Ag! Thursday, April 9, 2026 Farms.com caught up with URSA Ag at Canada’s Farm Show in Saskatchewan. When we posted a video with URSA Ag owner and founder Doug Wilson, the video went viral (watch the video below). URSA Ag’s mission is to provide farmers with affordable, reliable tractors. Wilson shared that rising... Read this article online
Agri Spray Drones Expands into Canada Market Thursday, April 9, 2026 Agri Spray Droneshas officially expanded its operations into Canada. This move marksan important stepin the company’s global growth and brings advanced farming solutions to Canadian producers. The expansion comes at a time when Canada is updating its regulations for pesticide application.... Read this article online
Taber, Alta. wins Kraft Hockeyville Thursday, April 9, 2026 A rural Alberta community will receive a quarter of a million dollars to help it repair its local hockey arena. National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman announced Taber, Alta. as the winner of the 2026 Kraft Hockeyville contest on April 4. As a result, Taber will receive... Read this article online
Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre designs revealed Thursday, April 9, 2026 Attendees of the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre’s (OAFDC) AGM last month received a first look at building design concepts. The planned 34,000-square-foot science centre in Listowel, Ont., designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, the same firm responsible for the looks of buildings... Read this article online
Proposed USDA budget cuts could shift the North American ag landscape Thursday, April 9, 2026 Image by Konyvesotto from Pixabay The US administration’s latest budget proposal includes a significant reduction to the US Department of Agriculture’s discretionary spending, a move that could have ripple effects across North American agriculture. According to Farms.com reporting... Read this article online