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
Ont. farmer Tony McQuail reflects on NDP leadership race Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Huron County farmer Tony McQuail is back at Meeting Place Organic Farm in Lucknow after vying to replace Jagmeet Singh as the leader of the federal NDP. “It was a very hopeful and positive experience for me,” he told Farms.com. “I was very pleased with what we were able to bring to the... Read this article online
Broadband Access is a Defining Issue for Rural Canada’s Future Monday, March 30, 2026 Broadband connectivity took centre stage during the on March 26, as speakers emphasized that reliable, high-speed internet is now foundational to rural economic growth, community well-being, and Canada’s broader ambitions in technology and resource development. The Coalition’s latest... Read this article online
Rural Canada Is an Economic Powerhouse that Policymakers Need to Build Upon Monday, March 30, 2026 Rural Canada is a far bigger driver of the national economy than many policymakers realize, and leaders say the time has come to place a rural lens at the centre of public policy decision-making. That message was front and centre during the Coalition for a Better Future’s Scorecard... Read this article online
Spring Swine Events Across Canada that are Not to be Missed Monday, March 30, 2026 It’s a sure sign of Spring, several swine events will be taking place over the next few months. Between April and June 2026, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario will all host significant swine-focused events, ranging from producer AGMs and pork quality competitions to large-scale... Read this article online
Boosting Wheat Production with Better Nitrogen Use Monday, March 30, 2026 A University of Guelph research team is pioneering new ways to grow wheat more sustainably by improving nitrogen efficiency and supporting soil health. Dr. Kari Dunfield, professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the Ontario Agricultural College, received $3.92 million from the... Read this article online