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
USDA Report Sparks Mixed Results Across Grain Markets Thursday, October 15, 2026 Grain and oilseed markets posted mixed results during the week ending October 9, 2026, as traders evaluated larger-than-expected U.S. corn production estimates, harvest delays, changing fund positions and potential weather risks in South America. Corn prices declined sharply, while... Read this article online
Paul Hoekstra Joins U of G Leadership Thursday, October 15, 2026 The University of Guelph has appointed Paul Hoekstra as its first executive director of agri-food strategy and partnerships, marking an important step in the institution’s efforts to strengthen ties with Ontario’s agricultural and agri-food sectors. Hoekstra brings more than 20 years of... Read this article online
Canada Backs Smart Lettuce Farming Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Vegetable farmers across Canada face several challenges, including labor shortages, rising production costs, profitability concerns, and the increasing effects of climate change. These challenges make it more important than ever for growers to have access to accurate information and... Read this article online
Using bats to protect crops and livestock Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Just as Batman has been known to use live bats to thwart crime in Gotham City, B.C. farmers are invited to learn about employing bats to stop insects causing crop and livestock damage. The Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society and the BC Community Bat Program are hosting a free event... Read this article online
Sask. opens consultations on farmland law Wednesday, October 14, 2026 The Saskatchewan government is inviting farmers and others to take an online survey related to farm legislation. Until Nov. 30, Saskatchewanians can participate in the public consultation related to The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act, which covers multiple farm ownership... Read this article online