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 included in PM’s affordability measures Wednesday, January 28, 2026 An announcement from the prime minister to help Canadians with affordability included an item for greenhouse growers. “To lower the cost of food production, we are introducing accelerated immediate expensing for greenhouses,” Prime Minister Carney said on Jan. 26. “This allows growers to... Read this article online
AAFC cuts hitting seven research sites Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Canada’s ag sector is expressing concern over the full scope of cuts coming to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). “These staffing cuts, and related impacts at AAFC research stations, represent a tremendous loss for Canadian agriculture,” Jocelyn Velestuk, chair of the Canadian... Read this article online
Canada Urges Action Against EU Grain Trade Barriers Wednesday, January 28, 2026 The Canada Grains Council has released a new white paper urging stronger Canadian leadership to address emerging trade barriers linked to agricultural innovation in the European Union. These barriers, the council warns, could reduce the competitiveness of Canada’s grain exports and limit... Read this article online
OFA responds to time-of-use electricity pricing proposal Tuesday, January 27, 2026 The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) provided an agricultural perspective on a proposed new electricity pricing plan. This new plan from the provincial government for Class B customers “would potentially establish a fixed (Global Adjustment) price for each period of the day (i.e.,... Read this article online
Hendrix Genetics Opens Advanced Swine Nucleus Farm in China Monday, January 26, 2026 Hendrix Genetics in partnership with Huanshan Group has officially opened its Hendrix Huanshan Nucleus Farm in Yuexi Southeast China. This new facility represents an important step toward strengthening China’s swine industry through innovation, high biosecurity standards, and advanced... Read this article online