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
Ontario Invests $7M in Agri-Food Innovation Tuesday, May 26, 2026 The Ontario government is committing up to $7 million to support 34 new research projects aimed at transforming innovative ideas into practical, market-ready solutions for farmers and food processors across the province. Delivered through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the... Read this article online
BioCV launches real-time monitoring system to boost sow health and productivity Monday, May 25, 2026 BioCV Inc. has introduced a new intelligent sow monitoring system designed to give US pork producers earlier, more accurate insights into sow health, behavior, and reproductive status. The technology, now available in North America, pairs a durable smart ear tag with... Read this article online
US China Trade Deal Sparks New Hopes for Agriculture Markets Monday, May 25, 2026 On the weekly with experts Farms.com Risk Management Chief Commodity Strategist Moe Agostino and Commodity Strategist Abhinesh Gopal the team review strong market movements during the week May 18 to 22, across agricultural markets, energy, and equities. The title for this week’s podcast... Read this article online
Major Weather Pattern Shift Signals Heat, Rain Relief, and El Niño Intensification Across U.S. Monday, May 25, 2026 A highly active stretch of weather across key agricultural regions in the United States is signaling a major shift in atmospheric patterns that could influence crop development, drought conditions, and summer forecasts saysEric Snodgrass,Sr. Science Fellow,Nutrien Ag Solutions. Over... Read this article online
Falling Behind on Direct Alcohol Shipping Deadline Monday, May 25, 2026 Canada’s small alcohol producers are growing increasingly frustrated as a promised timeline for direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol shipping reforms approaches with little visible progress. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling out federal and provincial... Read this article online