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
Atlantic ag rundown Tuesday, September 15, 2026 There’s been some activity in the ag communities in Atlantic Canada, and Farms.com is here to keep you updated on those developments. P.E.I. has a new minister of agriculture. On Sept. 2, Premier Rob Lantz appointed Hilton MacLennan as the province’s new ag minister in a cabinet... Read this article online
Manitoba has Canada’s first case of HPAI since May Tuesday, September 15, 2026 An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Manitoba is Canada’s first in months. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the detection on Sept. 10 on a commercial poultry operation in the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry. Agriculture is the community’s... Read this article online
Canadian beef regains access to the Dominican Republic Tuesday, September 15, 2026 The Dominican Republic has reopened its borders to Canadian beef. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) made the announcement, which applies to beef and beef products, including offal, from cattle of all ages, on Sept. 11. JBS Food and Cargill in Alberta, and Tru North Foods in... Read this article online
Alberta, B.C. Cattle Producers Unite to Support Wildfire-Affected Ranchers Monday, September 14, 2026 Cattle organizations in Alberta and British Columbia are joining forces to help livestock producers navigate the ongoing challenges created by wildfires, drought, and feed shortages. The B.C. Cattlemen's Association (BCCA) and Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) have announced a... Read this article online
Tight Corn Supplies and Rising Chinese Demand Could Fuel Next Grain Market Rally Monday, September 14, 2026 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's September crop report delivered a mixed reaction from grain markets, but according to Farms.com Risk Management Chief Commodity Strategist Moe Agostino, the longer-term outlook remains constructive for corn and soybeans. Speaking during the for... Read this article online