Butterball, have you tried beer? Monday, February 3, 2014 A New Hampshire farmer feeds his Thanksgiving turkeys beer to make them "fatter, more flavourful and juicier," according to an Associated Press story. For poultry farmer Joe Morette, the eureka moment occurred one hot July day in 1993 when a turkey knocked over a worker's can of beer and started drinking. Morette has been feeding his flock beer (preferably lager) ever since. While Morette's customers are happy, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is not, saying turkeys shouldn't consume beer. However, the national director of Humane Heartland says, "I consulted with an avian veterinarian who said that, while giving beer to turkeys is not a standard protocol, hops could be beneficial for the intestinal tract." Maybe Butterball should be taking note. At press time, there was still no explanation for a mysterious November shortage of over-16-pound turkeys, which the Associated Press reports cut Butterball's shipments of Thanksgiving turkeys by 50 per cent. BF Farmers behaving badly Red tape strangles Greenbelt farmers
Royal Canin Clarifies Groundwater Use With Amended Water Permit Near Guelph Thursday, April 16, 2026 Royal Canin Canada Company has received approval from Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to amend its Permit to Take Water (PTTW) for its pet food manufacturing facility near Guelph, Ontario, following weeks of public consultation and local... Read this article online
Proposed USDA budget cuts could shift the North American ag landscape Wednesday, April 15, 2026 The US administration’s latest budget proposal includes a significant reduction to the US Department of Agriculture’s discretionary spending, a move that could have ripple effects across North American agriculture. According to Farms.com reporting, the proposal outlines a... Read this article online
Study reveals key climate drivers of potato beetle outbreaks Tuesday, April 14, 2026 A long term research project from Michigan State University (MSU) and the University of Wisconsin is offering new insight into what drives Colorado potato beetle outbreaks, giving US potato growers a clearer picture of how weather patterns and environmental conditions shape one of the... Read this article online
Fuel Tax Suspension Offers Timely Relief for Canadian Farmers Ahead of Peak Growing Season Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Canadian farmers are set to see short-term relief at the fuel pump following a major federal policy announcement that directly affects on-farm operating costs. On April 14, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal government will temporarily suspend the Fuel Excise Tax on... Read this article online
Operating farm equipment in Ontario Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Farms.com continues to dive into farm equipment licensing and insurance requirements for Canadian producers with a look at the rules for Ontario. Do Ontarians need a license to drive a tractor? No license is required for a farm tractor or other self-propelled farm equipment whether on private... Read this article online