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
Alberta, B.C. Cattle Producers Unite to Support Wildfire-Affected Ranchers Monday, September 14, 2026 Cattle organizations in Alberta and British Columbia are joining forces to help livestock producers navigate the ongoing challenges created by wildfires, drought, and feed shortages. The B.C. Cattlemen's Association (BCCA) and Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) have announced a... Read this article online
Tight Corn Supplies and Rising Chinese Demand Could Fuel Next Grain Market Rally Monday, September 14, 2026 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's September crop report delivered a mixed reaction from grain markets, but according to Farms.com Risk Management Chief Commodity Strategist Moe Agostino, the longer-term outlook remains constructive for corn and soybeans. Speaking during the for... Read this article online
5 Ways Farmers Can Reduce Combine Losses and Improve Harvest Performance in 2026 Monday, September 14, 2026 As combines begin rolling across corn and soybean fields, Iowa State University specialists Doug Houser and Luke Fuhrer are reminding producers that harvest success is about more than speed. According these two experts from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the ISU... Read this article online
Smart Cover Crop Management Boosts Soil Health and Yields Monday, September 14, 2026 Cover crops have become an important management tool for farmers across the Midwest. They offer several benefits, including reducing soil erosion, improving soil health, controlling weeds, conserving moisture, increasing organic matter, and retaining valuable nutrients such as nitrogen.... Read this article online
The cost of filling a combine in Canada Monday, September 14, 2026 Canadian diesel prices are high. “The price of diesel has gone up pretty much everywhere to levels that we have never seen,” Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, told CTV News Channel on Sept. 12, adding he expects the high prices to stick around for almost nine... Read this article online