Seems Temple likes farrowing crates after all Sunday, April 5, 2009 The first Niman Ranch news release about a new certification program launched by Temple Grandin, renowned designer of humane livestock handling facilities, had this to say: "Animals must be given the opportunity to care for, interact with and nurture their young. In the case of swine, farrowing crates are not allowed . . . Pasture and bedding are preferred environments."However, in a statement, a few days later, Grandin said: "I personally approve of farrowing stalls and I think it is very positive that industry is evaluating alternative sow housing and that some producers have already converted to group housing. It would not be practical to house all pigs outside and most conventional pigs will still be housed indoors in the same buildings that now exist."Grandin went on to explain that she was working with California-based Niman Ranch "to make their standards clearer and easier to audit. My seal of approval is verification that they adhere to Niman Ranch standards and have a rigorous auditing program . . . Other companies can also develop a program and seek my approval." BP Behind the Lines - April 2009 Earning a college credit, barbecue style
Canadians pay $224 per year for supply management, a new report says Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Canadian think tank MEI looked at supply management and identified how much the system costs Canadians each year. “Overall, supply management results in an additional cost to the average Canadian of $224 per year,” the organization said in a June 18 report. MEI came to this figure by... Read this article online
Fertilizer Canada supports Mercosur trade deal Wednesday, June 24, 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
NOAA Declares El Nino, Raising Key Weather Risks for Agriculture Wednesday, June 24, 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
Anti-Dumping Probe Targets Wheat Gluten Imports in Canada Wednesday, June 24, 2026 The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has opened an anti-dumping investigation into certain wheat gluten imports entering the Canadian market from Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom. The inquiry will examine whether these products are being sold in Canada at unfairly low prices,... Read this article online
Fertilizer Sees Relief, but Grain Markets Stay Weak Wednesday, June 24, 2026 On the latest episode of Ag Commodity Corner+ Podcast titled, “A Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is Bearish Long Team Diesel/Fertilizer!” Farms.com Risk Management Chief Commodity Strategist Moe Agostino and Commodity Strategist Abhinesh Gopal agreed that global markets saw major changes... Read this article online