Pigs on the rampage Friday, April 3, 2009 What is hairy, tusked, weighs up to 300 pounds, and can wreck a pasture, a fence, a golf course or a car?A wild pig, and Texas claims to be home to two million of the critters.According to Associated Press reports, wild pigs caused $52 million in crop damage last year in Texas alone. Ranchers hired 1,100 licensed hunters shooting them from helicopters, but pig numbers keep growing so state representative Sid Miller proposed issuing licenses to weekend sportsmen to increase the kill. Other methods, such as traps, have failed and birth control is still being developed.Not everyone is a fan. Some fear a hunter may shoot a calf or a dog by mistake.Spanish explorers introduced the wild pigs' ancestors more than 300 years ago. Numbers have exploded since the 1980s. Texas is about four-fifths the size of the province of Ontario and vast rural areas area thinly populated at best. BF Technology that reduces crop insurance premiums Agricultural labour law challenge on hold
New Canadian Swine Research Targets Piglet Disease Monday, March 23, 2026 Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) is investing in new research to address Streptococcus suis, a harmful bacterial disease affecting post-weaned piglets led by Dongyan Xu Niu at the University of Calgary. This disease can cause serious health problems such as respiratory illness, meningitis, and sudden... Read this article online
Canada Packers Posts Strong Volume Growth and Profitability in First Year as Standalone Company Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Canada Packers Inc., recently split off from Maple Leaf Foods, reported its financial results earlier this month for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2025, highlighting increased hog volumes, steady sales growth and disciplined financial execution. In the fourth quarter of 2025,... Read this article online
Canada’s Real Seasons (According to Farmers Who Actually Live Here) Monday, March 16, 2026 According to a chart that’s been making the rounds on social media, courtesy of The Weather Network—the Canadian calendar has officially been updated. Apparently, we no longer live by the simple rhythm of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Instead, we now rotate through such crowd... Read this article online
Ontario Equine Industry Drives Rural Economy Monday, March 16, 2026 A new economic study has revealed the major contribution of Ontario’s equine agricultural sector to the province’s economy and rural communities. The Ontario Equine Agricultural Economic Impact Study Report provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the industry since 2010 and offers... Read this article online
Julia Montgomery Named OVC Dean Monday, March 16, 2026 The University of Guelph has announced the appointment of Dr. Julia Montgomery as the new dean of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).She will begin her five-year leadership term on June 15, 2026.The appointment marks an important step for one of Canada’s most respected veterinary... Read this article online