A pig for adoption Tuesday, August 4, 2009 Wiggles, the baby weaner pig found injured at the side of Highway 401 by a motorist and spirited to the offices of Toronto Humane Society, was big news last spring – at least until that office was caught up in a scandal after a newspaper investigation alleged that animals there weren't well cared for and the overseeing Ontario SPCA yanked the society's powers to investigate. Ian McConachie, spokes-person for the Humane Society, did not immediately return telephone calls about the current state of the piglet. A television news clip on the society's website shows the piglet, two weeks after she underwent extensive surgery for a badly broken back right leg, enjoying a scratch from a society worker. Meanwhile, Toronto isn't the only place with a soft spot for pigs. This spring the Peninsula Humane Society, near San Diego, Calif., was offering a 40-pound pig for adoption. Cost? $25. The female Hampshire, named Mercedes, had been found wandering and was dropped off after being driven to the shelter in a luxury automobile. The California shelter's website warned perspective owners that, like a dog, Mercedes could live to be 12 years old. Unlike a dog, she could grow to several hundred pounds in weight. Her ideal home, according to the animal adoption agency, would be a large enclosed yard with protection from the elements and regular access to mud for cooling. Isn't California the state that just banned some commercial methods of raising pigs for welfare reasons? Could Ontario be next? Hmmm . . . How do you say 'milk the cows' in Spanish? Red Fife returns to its Otonabee roots
From Plows to Plates - The 2025 International Plowing Match Returns to Niagara Friday, September 12, 2025 For the first time since 1926, the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) is returning to the Niagara Region Setpember 16 to 20. Set to take place in West Lincoln, the 106th edition of this iconic event will run under the theme “,” celebrating the deep roots and fresh flavours of... Read this article online
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Friday, September 12, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program Thursday, September 11, 2025 A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season Wednesday, September 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online
Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online