Chomping at the bit: The Florida Gators are predicted to repeat as the 2012 SEC baseball champions, as voted by the league’s 12 baseball coaches in the 21st annual preseason SEC poll. The Gators are ranked No. 1 nationally in the preseason USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll. LSU is expected to place second in the SEC Western Division, behind Arkansas, according to the poll. The Tigers open the season Friday at home against Air Force. Check out a preview of the Tigers’ season here.
Gearing up: Air Liquide Large Industries today announced the startup of a new Air Separation Unit at its facility in Geismar to increase its supply of nitrogen, oxygen and argon to its customers in a range of industries that includes refining, natural gas, chemicals and metals. The new production unit increases the site’s production capacity and enables Air Liquide to expand its customer base. The new ASU is one of three at Air Liquide’s Geismar facility. The first became operational in October 1999, and the second in February 2000.
Soo-wee! McDonald’s says it will require its U.S. pork suppliers to provide plans by May to phase out the use of stalls that confine pregnant sows. The Humane Society of the United States is touting today’s announcement as a major victory in its fight to stop the use of the stalls it considers inhumane. Some of McDonald’s suppliers have already announced plans to phase out the stalls. A joint statement released by McDonald’s and the Humane Society says the fast-food chain wants all its of its suppliers to do so.
