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
Canada’s 2025 Wheat Crop Shows Strong Quality and Yields Thursday, November 20, 2025 Cereals Canada has released its annual New Wheat Crop Report, offering global and domestic buyers a detailed look at the performance and quality of Canada’s 2025 wheat harvest. The report outlines key findings on milling characteristics, flour and semolina quality, and how the wheat... Read this article online
Manitoba throne speech touches on ag and rural communities Thursday, November 20, 2025 Manitoba’s agriculture and rural communities received a few mentions in Nov. 18th’s throne speech to open the third session of the 43rd legislature. One mention included future support for the livestock sector. Over the coming year “we will develop the legislative tools for a new... Read this article online
CFIA suspends certain livestock shipments from the U.S. Thursday, November 20, 2025 Some shipments of Canadian hogs, horses, and other livestock returning to Canada from the U.S. are suspended indefinitely. A note from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to exporters says it took this action after horses on two separate premises in Arizona’s Cochise County tested... Read this article online
Ont. farmer raises money for employees affected by Hurricane Melissa Thursday, November 20, 2025 An Ontario farmer collected donations to support members of his staff affected by Hurricane Melissa. Brad Raymont employs nine migrant workers from Jamaica to help harvest strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries at Raymont’s Berries in Cottam. “Our farm wouldn’t exist without these... Read this article online
Canadian Farmers Seek Fair Succession Tax Reform Thursday, November 20, 2025 Family farmers across Canada are urging the federal government to update tax rules that they say no longer reflect the reality of modern farming families. Current laws under the Income Tax Act allow farmers to transfer their farms to their own children without immediate tax... Read this article online