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
Ag in the House: Nov. 2 – 6 Wednesday, November 11, 2026 During question period on Nov. 2, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre asked the government if it would cut taxes to provide farmers and Canadians with relief from high fuel prices. “The Liberal government is out of touch,” he said. “Yes, the farmers in my riding say the single biggest... Read this article online
Canada Makes Rural Immigration Program Permanent to Address Labour Shortages Wednesday, November 11, 2026 Rural Canadian employers struggling to find workers will have a permanent immigration pathway designed specifically to help smaller communities address persistent labour shortages. The federal government announced Nov. 9 that the will become a permanent program, following previous... Read this article online
Organic Demand Is Growing, But Canada Is Importing Much of the Opportunity Wednesday, November 11, 2026 Canada’s organic market is growing quickly, but industry leaders say Canadian farmers and processors are not yet capturing enough of that growth. Leaders from across the country’s organic value chain gathered in Ottawa Nov. 2 and 3 for where discussions focused on how Canada can... Read this article online
Hensall Co-op Awards $17,500 to Seven Ontario Students Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Seven post-secondary students are receiving financial support from Hensall Co-op as they pursue education connected to agriculture and the future of rural communities. The Ontario farmer-owned co-operative has announced the 2026 recipients of its Bright Futures Scholarships, with each... Read this article online
Bunge, GDM launch Enerseed to develop new oilseed crops for biofuels Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Bunge and global plant genetics company GDM are joining forces to develop a new generation of oilseed crops aimed at the expanding renewable fuels market. The companies have announced the creation of , a strategic joint venture that will focus on developing and commercializing... Read this article online