On many hog farms sows are kept in individual stalls or small metal pens when they are pregnant because they can be aggressive. Animal welfare groups argue that sow stalls are inhumane because the sows cannot turn around or express natural behaviours.

California law worries provincial pork industry

Locals will have to follow Prop 12, weakening CUSMA agreement, says industry leader

Reading Time: 4 minutes A leader in Alberta’s pork industry is concerned about the precedent California’s Proposition 12 may set in agricultural trade between Canada and the U.S. Prop 12, which became law Jan. 1, stipulates that sows supplying the state’s consumers must be grouped in housing that provides a minimum of 24 square feet per sow. For Darcy […] Read more



Loblaw’s gaffe and apology

Loblaw’s gaffe and apology

The grocers code of conduct is needed to offset political grandstanding

Reading Time: 2 minutes Ottawa recently witnessed a dramatic scene, especially during the proceedings of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, where a few witnesses chose to prioritize their agendas over assisting our elected officials in comprehending the complexities of food prices and the necessary actions to be taken. One particular individual, an economist seemingly more interested in grabbing headlines […] Read more

Vertical farming could mean year-round fresh produce for even the most remote places in northern Canada. Photo: Johnny  Greig/iStock/Getty Images

The rise of vertical farming

The development and future of vertical 'plant factories'

Reading Time: 7 minutes Broadly speaking, commercial vertical farming operations are humankind’s attempt to grow food under conditions more controllable than Mother Nature allows and with a minimum of wasted space. Many seem like sci-fi greenhouses: hydroponics, plants growing in stacks or up walls and high-tech sensor setups that seem straight out of the mind of Gene Roddenberry. And, […] Read more



The British would naturally like that Canadian market access for their cheese exports to continue, as if they were still part of the EU. But they’re not.

Opinion: Trade with the UK has issues — and opportunities

Rules-based trade can pay dividends for both nations but will need to be fair

Reading Time: 3 minutes Canada benefits from more trade agreements with more countries than virtually any other nation. That makes sense, since we are a big, well-endowed country with large productive capacity, a relatively small domestic market, and we need to export. So Canada has long been a keen advocate of a robust, rules-based multilateral trading system, including effective […] Read more



Peter Dhillon (left) speaks at the Arrell Food Summit on Nov. 14.

Future of food, sustainable business top agenda at Arrell Food Summit

Leaders and investors in Canada’s agriculture sector discuss climate change, avoiding food crisis

Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Industry leaders discussed climate solutions and the future of Canadian food at the Arrell Food Summit: Pathway to Change, hosted by the Arrell Food Institute in Toronto earlier this winter. The eventt brings together agri-food leaders and experts to exchange ideas and learn more about topics affecting global food systems. In the […] Read more