Tennessee backs down on ag-gag law Monday, August 5, 2013 In June's Better Pork, we reported that lawmakers voted to make Tennessee the latest state to approve a so-called "ag-gag" law, a bill to make it illegal to record animal cruelty incidents on livestock farms without reporting them to the police right away.Just after we went to press, Tennessee Republican governor Bill Haslam vetoed the bill, following the opinion of his Democratic attorney general that it wouldn't pass a constitutional challenge, freedom of speech being nearly as important in that country as freedom to own a gun.According to Meatingplace.com, Haslam also cited concerns that the new law might take away reporters' rights to gather information for stories, and that it might be harder to prosecute legitimate animal cruelty cases "as an unintended consequence."As well, a number of Tennessee celebrities jumped on the bandwagon, among them songwriter Emmylou Harris, country music singer Carrie Underwood and even Priscilla Presley. The Humane Society of the United States sees it as a victory; the Animal Agriculture Alliance, which writes and speaks out against animal rights legislation, is not pleased. BP A Chinese takeover of Smithfields? The battle of the polls over gestation stalls
Grain Traders Monitor China Summit and Crop Estimates Monday, September 21, 2026 Grain and oilseed markets showed mixed movement during the week of September 18, 2026, as traders focused on U.S. yield revisions, Black Sea export disruptions, Canadian production estimates, crop conditions in Western Canada, and expectations surrounding the upcoming U.S.-China summit.... Read this article online
Federal government invests in farm safety Monday, September 21, 2026 The federal government is investing in an organization dedicated to farm safety. Ben Carr, the MP for Winnipeg South Centre, on Sept. 20 announced a federal investment of more than $1 million over two years for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) to help the organization... Read this article online
Ag Minister MacDonald Tours Southern Ontario Monday, September 21, 2026 Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector received a strong vote of confidence during a recent southern Ontario tour by Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald. Throughout the visit, the Minister met with farmers, food processors, agribusiness leaders and community organizations... Read this article online
Harvest Weather Alert: Midwest Rain Risks Rise as Super El Nino Strengthens Monday, September 21, 2026 As summer gives way to autumn, farmers across the U.S. Midwest and parts of Canada are watching a weather pattern that appears poised to become increasingly active during the heart of harvest season. According to Nutrien Ag Solutions meteorologist Eric Snodgrass, recent atmospheric... Read this article online
U of G Launches Powering Food Futures Initiative, Invites Farmers to Shape Canada’s Agri-Food Future Monday, September 21, 2026 A new national initiative is inviting farmers, industry leaders, researchers and policymakers to help shape the future of Canada’s agri-food sector at a time when food security, climate resilience and global competitiveness are taking on heightened importance. Powering Food Futures, a... Read this article online