Beef tenderness predictor works for pork Tuesday, October 2, 2012 A beef tenderness predictor also works on pork chops, says the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).The technology is based on visible and near-infrared reflectance (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy and predicts tenderness without destroying the valuable parts of the carcass. The tenderness predictor was validated using a shear cutting test to measure tenderness. It can be used to predict which USDA Select grade beef steaks will be tender when cooked.Pork isn't presented for grading the same way, so the challenge was different. A computer model was used to predict tenderness and that test was validated using 1,800 boneless loin chops during the boning and trimming process in commercial meat plants. The test also predicts which cuts of meat will look fresh longest in the grocery store. If the industry adopts the technology, the ARS' news service says, genetic selection might be based on predictions of the colour of the meat and also of tenderness. BP Diagnosing and treating umbilical and inguinal hernias in pigs The son of H1N1 spreads, with less panic
Sask Wheat Boosts Ag Education in Classrooms Tuesday, July 7, 2026 Agriculture in the ClassroomSaskatchewan AITC SK and the Saskatchewan Wheat Development CommissionSaskWheat have announced a newthree-yearpartnership to improve agriculture education in schools across Saskatchewan. The goal of this partnership is to help students better understand farming,... Read this article online
Grain Markets Rebound as Key Crop Reports Surprise Traders Monday, July 6, 2026 On the weekly Farms.com Risk Management with experts Chief Commodity Strategist Moe Agostino and Commodity Strategist Abhinesh Gopal, the discussion focused on major agricultural developments affecting grain, oilseed, and fertilizer markets. The tile of the July 3 podcast was “?” The... Read this article online
Central Alberta Growers Watch for Seedpod Weevils Monday, July 6, 2026 AlbertaCanolais advising canolagrowers in CentralAlbertatomonitorfields closely for cabbage seedpod weevils (CSPW) as populations continue to expand across the region. Recent observations have shown that the pest is becoming more common in areas where it has not traditionally been a... Read this article online
Farmer named rural development critic in new Poilievre shadow cabinet Monday, July 6, 2026 Another member of Canada’s ag community is represented in Pierre Poilevre’s new Conservative shadow cabinet. Dave Epp, the MP for Chatham-Kent in Ontario and a vegetable and cash crop producer, is the party’s new shadow minister for rural development, the party announced on June... Read this article online
Major Heat Ridge Builds as Record-Pace El Niño Raises New Weather Concerns Monday, July 6, 2026 The past few weeks have already been crazy for agriculture weather wise, with more to come. Nearly 2,000 severe wind reports were recorded across the United States over the past three days, with the most widespread impacts stretching from the central Plains through the Midwest and... Read this article online