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
BC’s Outstanding Young Farmer named for 2026 competition Tuesday, February 3, 2026 BC’s Outstanding Young Farmers program has selected Chilliwack producer Corné Quik as its 2026 regional winner, announcing the honour during the on January 22. Quik will go on to represent the BC/Yukon region at the national competition in Vancouver from November 26-29,... Read this article online
SaskCrops Raises Alarm Over Research Cuts Tuesday, February 3, 2026 SaskCropshas expressedserious concernover recent staffing reductions and research station closures announced by Agriculture and Agri Food Canada. The group says these changes could reduce the ability to carry out important crop research that supports farmers across Saskatchewan and... Read this article online
Canadian farmers wanted for mental health survey Tuesday, February 3, 2026 Researchers are encouraging Canadian farmers to participate in a mental health survey. The National Survey of Farmer and Rancher Mental Health in Canada (take the survey in French here) aims to understand experiences related to stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, resilience, and... Read this article online
Hog Sector Outlook Strong in Early 2026 Monday, February 2, 2026 After a surprisingly strong 2025, the Canadian hog sector is starting 2026 on a positive notesays FCC.Hog'sfutures are near five-year highs, and global markets are more balanced after several years of oversupply and weaker demand. Combined with lower feed costs, this is creating supportive... Read this article online
Crude Oil Rises and Metals Drop in Commodity Markets Last Week Monday, February 2, 2026 On the weekly , experts Moe Agostino and Abhinesh Gopal reviewed major market movements during the week of January 26 to 30, by pointing to two drivers: a jump in crude oil tied to US-Iran tensions and a sudden plunge in precious metals. Wheat finished the week higher, while several... Read this article online