Feral hogs being poisoned with bacon preservative Monday, October 6, 2014 In a cruel twist of fate, America's five million feral hogs may soon be poisoned by the very preservative that cures the flesh of their domesticated counterparts.The Associated Press reports that sodium nitrite, already used to poison feral swine in Australia and New Zealand, is being tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It's currently illegal to poison pigs in the United States, but hunting and trapping have been inadequate controls for the problematic porkers. Wild pigs cost approximately US$1.5 billion a year, which includes $800 million in agricultural damage.Feral pigs do more than just uproot veggies and eat crops. In 2006, three people died and 200 were sickened by a batch of California spinach tainted with E. coli. Wild pig feces were identified as a likely source of the bacteria.Sodium nitrite is much more toxic to pigs than people, so it should be safe to use. So far, it hasn't reached the 90 per cent kill rate needed for Environmental Protection Agency consideration. Also, challenges have arisen in making the bait palatable and enticing, and creating a bait container other animals can't break into. So hogs are safe, for now. BP EU pig industry 'out of control,' say animal welfarists Behind the Lines - October 2014
Strychnine training available now Wednesday, May 6, 2026 The mandatory training course for Prairie individuals planning to apply or distribute strychnine to control Richardson’s ground squirrels (gophers), is available now. The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is offering the course until Aug. 1 to people in Saskatchewan... Read this article online
How to Keep Your Groundwater Safe and Clean Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Groundwater plays a vital role for families and businesses in rural and agricultural settings. It supports essential activities such as livestock care, irrigation, and cleaning processes, and in many areas, it's the sole source of drinking water. For this reason, it's critical for rural... Read this article online
Rising Waters on the Canadian Prairies and Beyond Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Spring flooding is intensifying across large portions of Canada, placing farms under growing pressure during one of the most important windows of the agricultural year. From the Prairies to Central Canada and into Atlantic regions, saturated soils, elevated rivers, and damaged rural... Read this article online
Operating farm equipment in the Canadian territories Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Farms.com’s final look at insurance and licensing requirements for ag equipment takes readers up to the Canadian north with the three territories. Yukon Northwest Territories Nunavut Is a license... Read this article online
Monette Farms Granted Court Extension as $90M Financing Secured Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Monette Farms has been granted additional time under court protection as one of North America’s largest private farming operations works to stabilize itself during the heart of the 2026 planting season. On May 1, 2026, the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta approved an amended order... Read this article online