Why do some sows prefer to stay out of their stalls? Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Given a choice, some pregnant sows simply choose to stay in their 26-inch wide gestation stalls, according to research conducted by the Prairie Swine Centre in Saskatchewan, published on the website of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.The study found that 95 per cent of the sows left their stalls at some point to be in a group area but, over 24 hours, about 40 per cent spent less than two per cent of their time outside the stalls. Other animals spent 80 to 90 per cent of their time outside the stalls in a common area with other gestating animals.Animal behaviourist Harold Gonyou observed that the sows that stayed out tended to be older, larger sows and that raised some questions. Are the younger sows avoiding these larger animals and staying in their space for protection against bullying? Or are the 26-inch wide stalls too small for the older animals and so they choose to lie down elsewhere? BP Contradictory views on animal welfare Things about bacon you maybe didn't know
Quebec elects PQ government Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Quebec voted for change on Oct. 5 as the Parti Québécois (PQ) earned 59 seats – five short of a majority – and will form the next government. “To elected premier of Quebec is a huge privilege. It’s also a great responsibility,” PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said in his victory speech... Read this article online
New Syngenta foliar insecticide available for potato growers Tuesday, October 6, 2026 A new tool is available for Canadian potato and specialty crop growers to protect their crops from insect pressure. Syngenta recently introduced Incipio foliar insecticide, which includes a novel Group 30 mode of action called PLINAZOLIN. (Click here to go to Incipio’s specialty crop... Read this article online
How One Ontario Pumpkin Farm Turned 10% of Production Into Half Its Revenue Tuesday, October 6, 2026 For one Ontario farm that was looking beyond traditional commodity production to strengthen their businesses,the answer has come from an unlikely source: ornamental pumpkins and gourds. Located east of St. Thomas, Ontario, Butters Farms has built a successful niche around seasonal... Read this article online
Canadian Food System Trust Holds Steady, but Uncertainty and Misinformation Are Rising Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Canadians largely maintain a positive view of the nation's food system, but rising concerns about affordability, misinformation, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence are creating a more complex environment for maintaining public trust. That was among the key findings... Read this article online
Canadian Agri-Businesses Face Insurance Crunch as Premiums Rise and Coverage Options Shrink Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Small agricultural businesses across Canada are facing a mounting insurance challenge as premiums climb and coverage options become harder to find, according to research from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). The report highlights a growing concern among farmers,... Read this article online