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
Grain Markets React to Falling Crop Ratings and China Demand Tuesday, August 4, 2026 Grain markets experienced a volatile week ending July 31, 2026, as changing U.S. weather forecasts, declining crop conditions, geopolitical tensions, and renewed Chinese buying activity influenced trading, according to the latest Farms.com Risk Management , titled '' During the... Read this article online
PEI Dairy Leader Wins Atlantic COYF Title Monday, August 3, 2026 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) has named Deanna Doctor of Kensington, Prince Edward Island, as the 2026 Atlantic Regionalhonouree. The recognition celebrates her achievements in dairy farming, leadership, and commitment to agricultural innovation. Over the past decade, Deanna... Read this article online
Rural Albertans wanted for grief study Friday, July 31, 2026 Researchers from the University of Alberta are looking to connect with rural Albertans who’ve dealt with grief related to substance use. “What we’ve been hearing from our past research and work in the community is there’s a lot of substance use related grief,” Holly Mathias, a human... Read this article online
Preparing for Farming Uncertainty Friday, July 31, 2026 Farm Management Canada has introduced a new report that proposes a National Strategy for Education and Communication on Agricultural Risk Management, aimed at improving how Canadian producers and agricultural service providers understand and use the wide range of risk management programs, tools... Read this article online
Central Ontario FS Expands Grain Network with Acquisition of Haley's Elevator in Burford Friday, July 31, 2026 Central Ontario FS is strengthening its presence in southwestern Ontario after signing a purchase agreement to acquire Haley's Elevator Inc., a long-established grain handling facility located in Burford. The acquisition marks another step in the growth of the company's grain elevator... Read this article online