AGW Blog

The basic principles of youngstock housing are no different to those that apply to adult cows. Regardless of the age group or the type of housing, accommodation must provide for the animal’s needs in terms of shelter and comfort. Housing not only covers things like floor type and area, but also light intensity and air space.   Ireland example In the typical Irish dairy herd, calving is a very seasonal event with the vast majority of calves born during February…

Domesticated pigs descend from forest dwelling wild boar, which root and forage for food. Pigs are omnivorous and can eat a variety of food of both plant and animal origin. Based on these two facts, some farmers assume that when pigs are given the opportunity to forage they need little or no supplementary grain and protein feeds. Unfortunately, this assumption is wrong and, in some cases, has led to poor pig productivity—and even health and welfare problems. While alternative and…

With all the criticisms of farming around the world, it’s great to hear the National Farmers Union, the UK’s best-known farming body, promoting the potential role of farming in mitigating climate change, with a target to reduce UK farming’s GHG emissions to zero by 2040. But in the UK, many sustainable farmers have been doing all this—and much more—for years with very little recognition.   Public goods and services My husband and I farm 500 acres high on the hills…

News is breaking that FDA researchers have found (through a re-examination) that genetically modified (GM) cattle contained unnatural DNA, despite the developer’s claims to the contrary. Upon previous examination of the result of the gene-editing procedure in animals, researchers did not detect any unexpected alterations, such as insertions or deletions of DNA. But in a recently published paper, in a study of the DNA of two genetically dehorned calves, the FDA found that the calves’ genomes did contain unintended DNA alterations. The…

A Greener World’s Online Directory is visited by thousands of people each year who are looking to purchase high-welfare, sustainably produced food. The searchable online directory includes farms, restaurants and retailers selling Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Certified Grassfed by AGW and Certified Non-GMO by AGW meat, dairy, eggs and fiber products—along with handmade beauty products and even delicious candies and treats. If you’re one of the many shoppers interested in finding verified, sustainable products across North America, you’re…