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
CWRC Names Blair Goldade as New President Tuesday, September 29, 2026 The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has entered a new leadership chapter with the appointment of Blair Goldade as its new president. The change comes as hosting responsibilities for the organization in transition from Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) to the Saskatchewan Wheat... Read this article online
Ag in the House returns alongside fall session of Parliament Tuesday, September 29, 2026 The return of Parliament also marks the return of Farms.com’s Ag in the House article series. This weekly series is designed to keep members of the Canadian ag industry up to date about how often MPs discuss issues related to agriculture in the House of Commons during question... Read this article online
Farmer named interim leader of PC Party of Manitoba Tuesday, September 29, 2026 A farmer is the new interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba (PC Manitoba). Konrad Narth, the MLA for La Vérendrye, will assume this role, as well as Leader of the Official Opposition within the provincial legislature. “If you live in Manitoba, you deserve an... Read this article online
Prairie Fall Burndown Tips for 2026: How Better Weed Control Sets Up Spring Success Tuesday, September 29, 2026 As combines roll across fields and harvest progresses, many growers are already looking ahead to next spring. One of the most important decisions they can make this fall may not involve fertilizer, seed selection, or tillage. Instead, agronomists are encouraging producers to evaluate fall... Read this article online
Alberta Beef Producers Backs Stronger Cattle Traceability Plan Tuesday, September 29, 2026 Alberta cattle producers could see a new chapter in livestock traceability as Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) moves forward with recommendations aimed at strengthening cattle movement tracking while keeping producers at the centre of the process. The recommendations come from the Working... Read this article online