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
Colouring a Safer Future for Farm Kids Thursday, April 30, 2026 Teaching children about farm safety is an essential part of protecting the future of Canadian agriculture. With that goal in mind, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) has launched the Kids FarmSafe Colouring Contest, a creative initiative designed to help young people learn... Read this article online
Pet Obesity a Growing Concern Thursday, April 30, 2026 Pet obesity has become one of the most common health concerns seen during routine veterinary visits, alongside dental disease. Nearly 60 percent of pets in the United States are considered overweight, which can reduce overall life expectancy and increase the risk of chronic conditions such... Read this article online
Rail Inflation Index Increased for Maximum Revenue Entitlement for Western Grain Thursday, April 30, 2026 The Canadian Transportation Agency has announced its determination of the Volume-Related Composite Price Index for the 2026–2027 crop year, setting the index at 1.9864 for the Canadian National Railway Company and 1.9474 for the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Company. The updated... Read this article online
Inside the Collapse of Monette Farms and What It Signals for Big Agriculture Thursday, April 30, 2026 The restructuring of Monette Farms is raising hard questions about how large is too large in modern agriculture—and whether today’s risk tools are keeping up. (Read the article: Monette Farms Seeks Court Protection as Mega-Farm Restructures Amid Financial Pressures) For years, Monette... Read this article online
Ontario Community Food Program Wins BASF Rural Impact Award Wednesday, April 29, 2026 A community focused food initiative in Ontario has receivedsupportthrough a national agricultural support programsponsored by BASF.Petrolia Community Refrigeratorwas named thefirst-placewinner in Ontario under the2026 Growing Home with BASFprogram, earning a $25,000 award for its work in... Read this article online