Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Pork Featured Articles

Better Pork magazine is published bimonthly. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Lab-grown meat - Earth's saviour or unnatural?

Monday, August 4, 2014

Cultured meat, in vitro meat, test-tube meat – the stuff goes by many names. Some see it as the only feasible option for an overpopulated Earth. Others turn up their noses at the concept, calling it "unnatural."

Two Dutch researchers, Cor van der Weele and Johannes Tramper, hope to bridge the divide. In a paper published in the June issue of Trends in Biotechnology, they envision a future in which "pigs in backyards or on animal-friendly (urban) farms would serve as the living donors of muscle stem cells through biopsies. These pigs live happy lives as companion animals while their cells are cultured in local meat factories."

The pigs would suffer only the occasional prick of a needle, and consumers would be able to see and touch the living pig that produced their meat. This, van der Weele and Tramper believe, would "reverse feelings of alienation."

The paper cites research estimating that cultured meat could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water use by 90 per cent compared with standard European beef production. At this point, production of the "cultured-meat slurry" (yum!) is too costly to make it a real market contender. BP

Current Issue

October 2025

Better Pork Magazine

Farms.com Swine News

FCC Reports Trade Pressures on Canadian Food Sector

Thursday, October 9, 2025

The Canadian food and beverage manufacturing sector has experienced slower-than-expected growth in the first half of 2025, with sales and profit margins under pressure due to a challenging trade and economic environment. According to Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) Food and Beverage Report... Read this article online

Canada Post strike affecting Harvest Sample Program

Thursday, October 9, 2025

The ongoing Canada Post strike is affecting farmers’ abilities to send harvest samples to the Canadian Grain Commission. Growers participating in the voluntary Harvest Sample Program, which provides free unofficial grade and quality results, will have to make other arrangements. On its... Read this article online

Gleaner T Series Combine Updates

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Gleaner continues to advance harvest technology with its new T Series combine, delivering major improvements in power, reliability, and ease of operation. Designed with the farmer in mind, the T Series focuses on performance, accessibility, and cutting-edge precision tools for... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top