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
Pork and politics: Canadians bring trade pitch to Iowa state fair Tuesday, August 18, 2026 Pork is a popular topic at the Iowa State Fair as hungry patrons mow down on barbecue and curious children gaze with wide eyes at the state’s biggest pig. But the 11-day fair in Des Moines has also proven an important opportunity for Canadians to make their case at a time of tumult in the... Read this article online
Elmers Unveils Super7 Harrow and WD2 Ditcher Tuesday, August 18, 2026 Elmer’s Manufacturing is expanding its lineup of agricultural equipment with the introduction of the Super7 Harrow and the Wolverine WD2 Ditcher. Elmer Manufacturing's latest products highlight the company’s focus on improving field performance, operator convenience, and machine... Read this article online
Manitoba Harvest Accelerates as Spring Wheat, Barley and Pea Crops Enter the Combine Stage Tuesday, August 18, 2026 Harvest activity is gaining momentum across Manitoba as producers begin combining cereals, oilseeds and pulse crops while continuing forage and silage operations. According to the latest Manitoba crop report, early harvest progress and encouraging yield reports are creating cautious... Read this article online
Grain Markets Climb on Weather and Supply Concerns Monday, August 17, 2026 Grain markets finished higher during the week ending August 14, 2026, as traders reacted to a supportive USDA August crop report, changing weather conditions across the U.S. Midwest, and continued geopolitical concerns affecting global grain supplies. The latest Farms.com Risk... Read this article online
National Citizens Inquiry hosting public ag hearings in Alberta Monday, August 17, 2026 An organization is hosting three days of conversations about agriculture in Alberta. The National Citizens Inquiry (NCI), an independent and citizen-led initiative launched in November 2022 to investigate Canadian government responses to COVID-19, is hosting “Are Farmers Safe in Canada?”... Read this article online