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
SARM Urges Flood Safety Across SK Thursday, May 7, 2026 The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is urging residents to focus on flood safety as widespread flooding continues to affect many parts of the province. Several rural and local communities are facing serious challenges as water levelsrise,and access routes are... Read this article online
Industry group calling on Ottawa to reverse planned AAFC cuts Thursday, May 7, 2026 An ag industry organization is calling on the federal government to implement the recommendations the House ag committee tabled in a report on the planned cuts to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). “These recommendations confirm what SeedChange — alongside farmers, scientists, and... Read this article online
Staying informed, and safe, during wildfire season Thursday, May 7, 2026 It is wildfire season in Canada. The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS) has already counted 719 fires in 2026. As of May 7, there are 66 active wildfires with one in B.C. deemed out of control. Wildfires can be dangerous to farm operations as they put people,... Read this article online
Grain Bin Emergencies Turn Deadly in Seconds, but Training Can Save Lives Thursday, May 7, 2026 Would you know what to do if someone you loved was trapped in a grain bin? The reality is sobering. Compared to a flowing mass of grain, a person is only several bushels in volume. When grain begins moving, escape becomes nearly impossible. In most cases of full grain engulfment,... Read this article online
Applications open for GFO 2026 Legacy Scholarship Thursday, May 7, 2026 Applications are now open for the 2026 Grain Farmers of Ontario , an annual program designed to support students pursuing post‑secondary education that contributes to the future of the province’s grain and agri‑food industries. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) represents 28,000... Read this article online