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
New Phobos™ FC360 Fungicide Boosts Crop Protection Thursday, March 12, 2026 ViveCrop Protection has announced the Canadian registration ofPhobos™FC360, a new foliar fungicide developed to provide stronger disease protection and improved on-leaf performance for farmers. The product will be available for growers across Canada beginning in the 2026 growing... Read this article online
Farm Innovators and Ag Industry Leaders Gathering in Regina Next Week -- Will you be there? Thursday, March 12, 2026 Canada’s Farm Showin Regina, Saskatchewan, presented by Bunge, will take place from March 17 to March 19, 2026, bringing together farmers, innovators and agriculture leaders for three days focused on the future of farming. The event will be held at the Avana Centre and the Bunge... Read this article online
Alberta RCMP asking for help identifying vehicle Thursday, March 12, 2026 Parkland RCMP is appealing to the public related to a crime on the property of an Alberta ag society. Police say suspects drove a gold or silver GMC Sierra onto the Rich Valley Agricultural Society’s property and drove through the outbuilding’s bay door on March 10 between 2:00 and 2:45... Read this article online
Senators examine Canada’s food system firsthand during southwestern Ontario fact finding mission Thursday, March 12, 2026 A delegation of Canadian senators conducted a full day fact finding mission on Friday, March 6, 2026, visiting several major food system organizations and research facilities across Southwestern Ontario. The tour supported the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry’s ongoing... Read this article online
Farmers Balance Costs and Technology Investments - Tractor Sales Down Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Sales of agricultural tractors and combines in the United States and Canada delivered a mixed performance in February, highlighting how farmers are adapting their purchasing decisions amid shifting commodity markets, input costs, and economic conditions. While tractor sales softened... Read this article online