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
Swine Health Ontario confirms first PED case of 2026 Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Ontario has its first case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) in 2026. A finisher barn in Perth County is dealing with the disease as of Jan. 2, Swine Health Ontario says. In total, Ontario has 23 active instances of PED dating back to January 2025. Seven are in Perth County,... Read this article online
Bushel Plus unveils modular X9 Split Frame MAD Concaves for John Deere X9 combines Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Bushel Plus Ltd. has introduced a major update to its MAD Concave lineup with the launch of the X9 Split Frame MAD Concaves, a modular system engineered specifically for John Deere X9 Series combines. Bushel Plus is a global leader in harvest optimization technology, dedicated to helping... Read this article online
Winter AGM roundup Monday, January 5, 2026 It’s early in 2026 and industry groups are preparing for annual general meetings. Here’s a brief roundup of the meetings on the horizon. The Sask Crops Forum on Jan. 13 and 14 at the Western Development Museum at 2610 Lorne Ave. in Saskatoon, will include AGMS for four producer... Read this article online
Ag represented in Order of Canada recipients Monday, January 5, 2026 A member of Saskatchewan’s ag community is among the 80 newest appointees to the Order of Canada. Governor General Mary Simon appointed Wayne Brownlee, the CFO of PotashCorp who helped the company become Nutrien, to the Order of Canada on New Year’s Eve. The Order of Canada is Canada’s... Read this article online
Ontario Farmers -- Share Your 2026 Planting Plans and Win Big! Monday, January 5, 2026 Would you like an early look at what Ontario farmers will plant in 2026 and how the acreage mix might shape up? Farms.com Risk Management is inviting farmers across Ontario to participate in the Annual Ontario Planting Intentions Survey—a quick and easy way to share your plans and gain... Read this article online