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Better Pork Featured Articles

Better Pork magazine is published bimonthly. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Pork powerhouses make gains

Monday, February 3, 2014

Of the top 25 pork-producing companies in the United States, 17 increased their number of sows in 2013, reports Successful Farming magazine in its annual report. Smithfield Foods/Shuanghui International remains far and away the largest pork producer in the United States, gaining 6,000 sows and growing to 868,000. Second-place Triumph Foods in St. Joseph, Mo., grew by 3,000 sows to 381,500. Six companies held their own and only one company managed fewer sows in 2013 than in 2012. In total, the sow gain was 132,000 over 2012 and the total number of sows managed by those 25 companies was 3,183,200.

Notes the list's compiler, executive editor Betsy Freese: 15 years ago Smithfield had 152,000 sows in the United States. Ten years ago the largest 25 producers had 2.52 million sows.

No such growth for the five big guys in Canada, which manage a total of 223,000 sows. Maple Leaf Agri-Farms in Landmark, Man., and HyLife in LaBroquerie, Man., held their own with 63,000 and 60,000 sows each. Olymel saved the bacon of insolvent Big Sky Farms of Humboldt, Sask., and it maintains 41,500 sows, while The Progressive Group of Companies, Niverville, Man., maintained 33,500 sows and ProVista Agriculture of Steinbach, Man., slipped 3,000 sows to 25,000. BP

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B.C. building new plant and animal health centre

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

The B.C. government is building a new plant and animal health centre in Abbotsford. The new facility will be located at 34252 King Rd. next to the University of Fraser Valley’s Abbotsford campus. “This new centre will help producers prevent and respond to disease threats, protect our... Read this article online

New MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Case IH continues to expand its innovative harvest equipment lineup with the launch of the MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header, a new series designed to provide farmers with smoother, cleaner, and more efficient harvesting. Available in multiple widths — 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and even 61... Read this article online

Ag in the House: Oct. 6 – 10

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

The Liberal government held its position on supply management when the Bloc Quebecois pressed MPs on the topic during question period last week. On Oct. 7, Yves Perron, the Bloc’s agriculture critic, reminded the House about Bill C-202 and how it protects supply management. He asked... Read this article online

Horror movies filmed in rural Ontario

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

As picturesque as rural Ontario and its farm settings can be, the landscape can also create the perfect backdrop to send chills down a spine. With that at top of mind and in celebration of all things spooky and horror in October, here are some horror movies filmed around rural... Read this article online

Winter Rules For Spreading Manure in Alberta

Monday, October 13, 2025

As winter approaches, Alberta farmers are reminded to review the rules for spreading manure on frozen or snow-covered ground. Under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA), farms with nine months or more of manure storage are not permitted to spread manure during the winter unless... Read this article online

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