Reality TV for sheep in Senegal Monday, December 3, 2012 In predominately Muslim Senegal (pop. 12.8 million), where most urban dwellers are less than a generation away from the farm, "reality TV" isn't about having the most talented child, it's about having the prettiest sheep.Even urban dwellers keep one or two sheep, or even a small flock, in their home in the hopes of getting a spot on Khar Bii, which translates as "this sheep." Khar Bii is the most popular local show on Senegal television. There are regional championships in this American Idol-style competition, which comes to a peak just before Eid al-Adha, or Tabaski, the feast of sacrifice around the world when Muslims celebrate Abraham's near sacrifice of his son. The eventual winner gets two million francs, about C$4,000, and boosted breeding credentials. Size counts in the contest, as does testicular symmetry. BF Organic 'watchdog' eggs on animal rightists Chicken processor points finger at cows
A new front in the repair access debate Friday, March 6, 2026 Iowa lawmakers have pushed the right‑to‑repair conversation into new territory with House File 2529, a bill that focuses specifically on diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems—the single most common cause of emissions-related downtime on modern farm machinery. The bill would require... Read this article online
March 8 is International Women’s Day Friday, March 6, 2026 Across the United States and Canada, women are taking on increasingly visible roles in agriculture—managing farms, leading ag-tech startups, advancing research, and strengthening the rural economies that feed both nations. Their work reflects a shift in an industry once defined... Read this article online
Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry to Visit Toronto and Southwestern Ontario Tuesday, March 3, 2026 The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry will be in Toronto and Southwestern Ontario later this week as part of its ongoing study on the role of Canada’s agriculture and agri‑food sector in strengthening national food security. The fact‑finding mission is scheduled for... Read this article online
AgriStability Program Updated to Include Pasture-Related Feed Costs Beginning in 2026 Monday, March 2, 2026 In case you missed it last week, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced that pasture-related feed costs will be added as an allowable expense under AgriStability starting with the 2026 program year. The update addresses rising operational... Read this article online
Bringing more Food and Ingredient Processing Back to Canadian Soil Monday, March 2, 2026 Protein Industries Canada has announced the second cohort of nine companies participating in its Program, an initiative designed to bring more food and ingredient processing back to Canadian soil and expand the nation’s value‑added agriculture sector. The selected companies span the... Read this article online