Worldwide hog production shrinks and Smithfield rocks Sunday, February 6, 2011 Only last June, a troubled Smithfield Foods Inc., based in Virginia, was denying published reports from Brazil that it was going to sell its pork production to JBS, the Brazilian meat packing giant that had already purchased Smithfield's beef operations. What a difference a few months make for the self-described world's largest pork processor and hog producer. While worldwide hog production shrank two per cent, Smithfield reported record high earnings in the quarter ending Oct. 31.Smithfield made money on both pig raising and processing. Live hog market prices rose 54 per cent to $56 per hundredweight from $36. Cutout prices rose more. "Smithfield is performing at record levels and we are focused on continuing to deliver strong earnings in the second half of fiscal 2011. All indications are that fiscal 2011 will be a record year for the company," said C. Larry Pope, president and chief executive officer, in a December press release.Published reports indicate that Smithfield managed to pay down half of a US$1 billion debt in bonds that were due in 2011. The other half may not be as easy, since recently the U.S. government renewed an ethanol subsidy that keeps grain prices high. BP 'Pocket pigs' pose problems Commercial feed is the salmonella culprit
Ag in the House: Nov. 17 – 21 Monday, November 24, 2025 On Nov. 17, Conservative MPs wanted answers from the government about its continued application of industrial carbon pricing. “Do members know what farmers do? They produce the food that we put on our tables. There is nothing in the budget to give Canadians a bit of breathing room,” said... Read this article online
Online Hub Brings it all Together Monday, November 24, 2025 To address the growing ecological and agricultural threat posed by invasive wild pigs, Canada is responding with the launch of Wild Pigs Canada. This new online hub was developed by Invasives Canada and Animal Health Canada in collaboration with the Invasive Wild Pig Leadership... Read this article online
Navigating The World of Phytogenics in Swine Nutrition Monday, November 24, 2025 In Canada and around the world, the swine industry is undergoing transformation, driven by evolving consumer expectations, regulatory pressures, and the growing demand for sustainable production practices. Within this landscape, phytogenics have emerged as a promising innovation in animal... Read this article online
duBreton Responds to Health Canada's Pause on Cloned-Animal Novel Food Policy Monday, November 24, 2025 duBreton acknowledges Health Canada's decision to indefinitely paused its proposed update to the novel food policy governing foods derived from cloned cattle and swine, as well as their progeny. The organization's recent announcement credits the hold to the volume and nature of feedback... Read this article online
Pig finds new forever home after Albuquerque highway chase Monday, November 24, 2025 A 1-year-old pig that led New Mexico authorities on an Albuquerque highway chase has a new permanent home, officials said. The pig was spotted on the Interstate 40 off-ramp to Louisiana Boulevard on Nov. 11 and video captured at the scene shows Albuquerque officers chasing the slippery... Read this article online