A Chinese takeover of Smithfields? Monday, August 5, 2013 Last year was financially unkind to Smithfield Foods Inc., the largest pork producer in the United States. While full year sales were up a full percentage point to US$13.2 billion, net income was down to $183.8 million, nearly a 50 per cent drop from $361 million a year before.The company's press release said pork production was not a money maker last year because of higher feed costs and other inputs. Any pork producer could have told you that.No wonder shareholders were enthusiastic about Shuanghui International, the largest butcher in China, taking over Smithfield sometime in the next six months. Shuanghui was offering US$31 a share for Smithfield Foods stock, a 31 per cent premium over the previous trading price of $25.75. The sale requires federal government approval.Shareholders aren't the only ones wondering where this is going. Producers across North America wonder what it will mean if a firm from China, the largest pork consumer and producer in the world, acquires the Smithfield company, if indeed the sale is approved. Is this more pork going to China and away from North American markets, or what else might happen? BP Coping with the wild boar invasion Tennessee backs down on ag-gag law
Sask Wheat Boosts Ag Education in Classrooms Tuesday, July 7, 2026 Agriculture in the ClassroomSaskatchewan AITC SK and the Saskatchewan Wheat Development CommissionSaskWheat have announced a newthree-yearpartnership to improve agriculture education in schools across Saskatchewan. The goal of this partnership is to help students better understand farming,... Read this article online
Grain Markets Rebound as Key Crop Reports Surprise Traders Monday, July 6, 2026 On the weekly Farms.com Risk Management with experts Chief Commodity Strategist Moe Agostino and Commodity Strategist Abhinesh Gopal, the discussion focused on major agricultural developments affecting grain, oilseed, and fertilizer markets. The tile of the July 3 podcast was “?” The... Read this article online
Central Alberta Growers Watch for Seedpod Weevils Monday, July 6, 2026 AlbertaCanolais advising canolagrowers in CentralAlbertatomonitorfields closely for cabbage seedpod weevils (CSPW) as populations continue to expand across the region. Recent observations have shown that the pest is becoming more common in areas where it has not traditionally been a... Read this article online
Farmer named rural development critic in new Poilievre shadow cabinet Monday, July 6, 2026 Another member of Canada’s ag community is represented in Pierre Poilevre’s new Conservative shadow cabinet. Dave Epp, the MP for Chatham-Kent in Ontario and a vegetable and cash crop producer, is the party’s new shadow minister for rural development, the party announced on June... Read this article online
Major Heat Ridge Builds as Record-Pace El Niño Raises New Weather Concerns Monday, July 6, 2026 The past few weeks have already been crazy for agriculture weather wise, with more to come. Nearly 2,000 severe wind reports were recorded across the United States over the past three days, with the most widespread impacts stretching from the central Plains through the Midwest and... Read this article online