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
Minnesota Wildfires Threaten Agriculture as Governor Walz Mobilizes National Guard Monday, July 13, 2026 Farmers across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario and Manitoba are closely monitoring a growing wildfire situation in northern Minnesota after Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to assist firefighting efforts. The decision... Read this article online
Gordie Howe International Bridge Could Boost Canadian Agriculture Through Faster Trade and Lower Costs Monday, July 13, 2026 The upcoming opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., could provide significant long-term benefits for Canada's agriculture and agri-food sectors. As announced last week, it is scheduled to open on July 27, 2026. The six-lane... Read this article online
Ontario Cherries are Ready to Eat Monday, July 13, 2026 Ontario Cherry Season Begins Across Key Fruit-Growing Regions Ontario's cherry season is officially underway, bringing one of the province's mostanticipatedsummer fruits to farm markets, grocery stores, and roadside stands. Harvest activity typically begins in July and continues through... Read this article online
New Canola Hybrids to Help Western Canadian Growers Combat Disease Pressure Friday, July 10, 2026 As disease pressure intensifies and weather conditions become increasingly unpredictable across Western Canada, crop genetics are playing a more important role in helping growers protect yield potential and maintain profitability. Proven Seed, the proprietary seed brand of Nutrien Ag... Read this article online
How Farmers and Rural Residents Can Protect Themselves from Tick-Borne Illnesses Friday, July 10, 2026 For many Canadians, ticks were once considered a problem limited to a few isolated regions of the country. Today, that is no longer the case. As temperatures warm and tick habitats expand, public health officials are reporting increasing numbers of Lyme disease and other tick-borne... Read this article online