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Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Pilgrim's Pride fiesty when it's down

Monday, May 4, 2009

You wouldn't think that Texas-based Pilgrim's Pride, known as the world's largest chicken processor, had a lot of choice as it sheds assets in an attempt to stay afloat. Chief Executive Officer Don Jackson showed otherwise.

Pilgrim's announced on Feb. 28 that it would shut down three plants, among them one employing 1,300 in Farmerville, La. Within days, California-based Foster Farms offered $20 million for the plant, and Louisiana backed it with another $20 million. Pilgrim's Jackson refused the offer, saying that the sale would put Foster in the chicken business for a lower investment than Pilgrim's and the rest of the industry could compete with. Furthermore, the problem of too many plants and too few chickens would remain unresolved.

Days later, governor Bobby Jindal doubled Louisiana's offer, bringing the price for the plant to $60 million, a sign that perhaps he was low-balling the first time around. Later in March, Jindal announced, amid criticism, that the final price would be $80 million with the state kicking in $50 million, including $10 million in site improvements.

At press time, the state legislature had yet to approve the deal and laws had to be changed to access a development fund for the purchase. Along with the jobs, the purchase was expected to save 300 contract producers, 5,000 indirect jobs and $150 million in local and state taxes, according to Associated Press reports. BF
 

Current Issue

December 2024

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

December Better Farming Ontario available online

Thursday, December 12, 2024

The December issue of Better Farming Ontario has been held up, like many publications, by the Canada Post strike. Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), which provides their members with a Better Farming subscription, has graciously agreed to share the digital version of the... Read this article online

New fund targets invasive phragmites spread

Thursday, December 12, 2024

The Ontario Phragmites Action (OPA) program has announced the launch of the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund (IPCF) and is now accepting project proposals. Supported by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, this fund aims to enhance efforts to control invasive Phragmites across the... Read this article online

Farm Fresh Ontario is now Agritourism Ontario

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Agritourism Ontario (formerly Farm Fresh Ontario—the name change took place on December 2, 2024) is heading into 2025 with a new name and look that is more reflective of what the association does. It is also taking on some big projects thanks to the support of the Ontario Ministry... Read this article online

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