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
North American Agriculture Leaders Back USMCA and Long-Term Trade Stability Monday, October 5, 2026 Agriculture officials from the United States,Canada, and Mexico are reinforcing their support for a stable and predictable North American trade environment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to strengthen rural economies and agricultural supply chains. That message emerged from... Read this article online
Canada Boosts Swine Research Innovation Monday, October 5, 2026 Canada's pork industry is set to benefit from a major research funding initiative aimed at solving key challenges and creating new opportunities for growth. Swine Innovation Porc (SIP), with support from the Pork Promotion and Research Agency (PPRA), has launched the Advancing Swine Research... Read this article online
New Brunswick Farm's Record Gourd Tunnel Draws National Attention Monday, October 5, 2026 A New Brunswick farm is attracting attention from across Canada after creating what is being described as the world's longest gourd tunnel, transforming a traditional crop into an eye-catching attraction that is drawing visitors to the countryside. Located in Scotch Settlement, New... Read this article online
Solar Farms Help Protect Pollinators and Ecosystems Monday, October 5, 2026 Solar energy facilities can do more than generate electricity. The land between and around photovoltaic panels can also be managed to support pollinators, improve environmental conditions, and provide additional benefits for nearby farms and communities. Penn State Extension reports... Read this article online
Soybean Harvest Tips to Improve Farm Returns Monday, October 5, 2026 Soybean producers have spent months preparing for harvest, managing everything from planting and crop protection to field scouting and changing weather conditions. Once harvest begins, however, there are still opportunities to protect the value of the crop by reducing losses in the... Read this article online