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
Energy Supply Disruptions Keep Oil and Fuel Prices Elevated Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Disruptions to Middle Eastern oil flows continue to shape global energy markets, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s May Short‑Term Energy Outlook. The report outlines ongoing supply constraints, rising crude oil prices, and longer‑term impacts on fuel, propane,... Read this article online
Nfld. government making farmland available Tuesday, May 12, 2026 The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is helping grow the province’s agriculture industry through a farmland availability initiative. The government is making about 3,000 acres of Crown farmland available to interested producers. The land is broken up into 14 parcels across the... Read this article online
Tom Green bringing celebrities to his Ont. farm Tuesday, May 12, 2026 A Canadian known for his comedic chops in Hollywood is bringing some friends to his Ontario farm. THE TOM GREEN FARM, starring Tom Green, whose movie credits include Road Trip and Charlie’s Angels, begins airing on May 29 on Crave. The backdrop of the show is Green’s 150-acre farm in... Read this article online
New Funding Helps Farms Adopt Clean Technology Monday, May 11, 2026 Canadian agri-businesses are playingan important rolein developingnew solutionsthat reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the long-term strength of agriculture. To support this work, the Government of Canada is partnering with non-profitagtechorganizations to help small and... Read this article online
Sask. MLA cites Monette Farms in question period Monday, May 11, 2026 An ag situation playing out publicly in Saskatchewan is one reason a special committee is needed in the province, an NDP MLA said. During question period on May 6, Trent Wotherspoon, the MLA for Regina Mount Royal and the NDP’s deputy ag shadow minister, asked Agriculture Minister David... Read this article online