A Chinese takeover of Smithfields? Monday, August 5, 2013 Last year was financially unkind to Smithfield Foods Inc., the largest pork producer in the United States. While full year sales were up a full percentage point to US$13.2 billion, net income was down to $183.8 million, nearly a 50 per cent drop from $361 million a year before.The company's press release said pork production was not a money maker last year because of higher feed costs and other inputs. Any pork producer could have told you that.No wonder shareholders were enthusiastic about Shuanghui International, the largest butcher in China, taking over Smithfield sometime in the next six months. Shuanghui was offering US$31 a share for Smithfield Foods stock, a 31 per cent premium over the previous trading price of $25.75. The sale requires federal government approval.Shareholders aren't the only ones wondering where this is going. Producers across North America wonder what it will mean if a firm from China, the largest pork consumer and producer in the world, acquires the Smithfield company, if indeed the sale is approved. Is this more pork going to China and away from North American markets, or what else might happen? BP Coping with the wild boar invasion Tennessee backs down on ag-gag law
Manitoba grain elevators listed as endangered Tuesday, June 30, 2026 Grain elevators in the RM of Brenda-Waskada are considered some of the top 10 endangered structures in all of Manitoba. The Manitoba Historical Society on June 23 published its annual list of “historically significant buildings around our province that deserve to be preserved and better... Read this article online
BinSentry Trouw Expand Feed Tech Across Canada Tuesday, June 30, 2026 BinSentryandTrouwNutrition have expanded their partnership in Canada to strengthen feed supply chain operations using advanced technology. The agreement will seeBinSentry’sProSenseFeed platform and sensor technology deployed across allTrouwNutrition facilities in the country. This... Read this article online
New Swine Influenza Vaccine Technology Could Transform Hog Health Management Tuesday, June 30, 2026 Researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) are advancing a next-generation swine influenza vaccine that could significantly improve disease control in hog operations while offering a faster way to respond to emerging virus strains. The new approach uses cutting-edge DNA... Read this article online
Quebec Biofood Sector Investment Gets a Boost Tuesday, June 30, 2026 The Government of Canada has announced an investment ofnearly $34 millionto support Quebec’sbiofoodsector. The funding was shared during a visit toJefo, a company focused on animal nutrition solutions. A total of $33,996,687 will support 52 businesses and organizations across the... Read this article online
Minister MacDonald’s record in the House Tuesday, June 30, 2026 With Parliament on its summer recess, Farms.com is summarizing the involvement of Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and his counterparts during the first session of the 45th Parliament. For context, this session started on May 26, 2025, and Prime Minister Carney appointed MacDonald as... Read this article online