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
Think buying Canadian farm equipment is not possible? Meet URSA Ag! Thursday, April 9, 2026 Farms.com caught up with URSA Ag at Canada’s Farm Show in Saskatchewan. When we posted a video with URSA Ag owner and founder Doug Wilson, the video went viral (watch the video below). URSA Ag’s mission is to provide farmers with affordable, reliable tractors. Wilson shared that rising... Read this article online
Agri Spray Drones Expands into Canada Market Thursday, April 9, 2026 Agri Spray Droneshas officially expanded its operations into Canada. This move marksan important stepin the company’s global growth and brings advanced farming solutions to Canadian producers. The expansion comes at a time when Canada is updating its regulations for pesticide application.... Read this article online
Taber, Alta. wins Kraft Hockeyville Thursday, April 9, 2026 A rural Alberta community will receive a quarter of a million dollars to help it repair its local hockey arena. National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman announced Taber, Alta. as the winner of the 2026 Kraft Hockeyville contest on April 4. As a result, Taber will receive... Read this article online
Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre designs revealed Thursday, April 9, 2026 Attendees of the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre’s (OAFDC) AGM last month received a first look at building design concepts. The planned 34,000-square-foot science centre in Listowel, Ont., designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, the same firm responsible for the looks of buildings... Read this article online
Proposed USDA budget cuts could shift the North American ag landscape Thursday, April 9, 2026 Image by Konyvesotto from Pixabay The US administration’s latest budget proposal includes a significant reduction to the US Department of Agriculture’s discretionary spending, a move that could have ripple effects across North American agriculture. According to Farms.com reporting... Read this article online