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
RCMP warns of traffic ticket scam Thursday, July 9, 2026 Police in the Prairies are warning residents about scams alleging residents have unpaid tickets. Saskatchewan RCMP received multiple reports on June 29 of people receiving text messages indicating they’re due in court for an “unpaid traffic citation,” and that a failure to appear can... Read this article online
Manitoba Crops Under Pressure as Flooding, Hail and Excess Moisture Damage Fields Thursday, July 9, 2026 Manitoba farmers are navigating one of the most challenging stretches of the 2026 growing season as excessive rainfall, flooding and damaging hailstorms have affected crop development across large portions of the province. According to weekly crop and weather reports compiled by... Read this article online
Western wrapping up filming in rural Alberta Thursday, July 9, 2026 A new movie scheduled for a 2027 release uses rural Alberta as its backdrop. The Horseman, starring Kiefer Sutherland and Barry Pepper, is wrapping filming this week. Alberta’s branch of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), says the project began... Read this article online
Rigas Karamanos Wins Les Henry Award Thursday, July 9, 2026 Dr. Rigas Karamanoshas been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Les Henry Award, an honor that recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to soil and water science and their practical application in agriculture across Western Canada. The award celebrates leadership,... Read this article online
Canada Boosts Beef Market Growth Thursday, July 9, 2026 The Government of Canada has announced an investment of more than $4 million to support the growth of the country's beef sector. The investment will help increase market opportunities for Canadian beef producers, strengthen trade relationships, and promote Canadian beef products in Canada... Read this article online