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
Winning Scholarship Video Highlights Disconnect Between Urban and Rural Communities Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Saskatchewan has honoured four outstanding students for their dedication to agriculture with the Agriculture Student Scholarship. These scholarships support post-secondary students who demonstrate a strong passion for agriculture and advocate for industry’s future. This year’s grand... Read this article online
Mother’s Day Q&A with Ashley Perepelkin Wednesday, May 7, 2025 With Mother’s Day approaching (don’t forget!), Farms.com has been connecting with moms in ag for their participation in a Q&A about all things motherhood. Ashley Perepelkin (AP) looks after the livestock side of Perepelkin Farms in Condor, Alta., which also includes about 1,000 acres of... Read this article online
AAFC Canola Outlook Sparked Frustration Amongst Farmers Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Skepticism grows on Agriville.com as producers question export assumptions and call for greater accountability Farmers recently took to Agriville.com to discuss their frustration and skepticism following Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) April canola outlook. The outlook,... Read this article online
Creating Safe Farms for Kids Wednesday, May 7, 2025 The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is hosting the second annual Kids FarmSafe Week from May 12 to 18, with the theme “Nurturing the Future of Agriculture.” The initiative aims to raise awareness about health and safety risks for children and youth on farms. According... Read this article online
Encouraging Consumers to spend 1 Percent More at Farmers Markets Could Make a Big Difference Wednesday, May 7, 2025 A recent study led by University of Northern British Columbia professor David Connell reveals that farmers’ markets, while growing in popularity, still make up only a small share of household food spending. The research was conducted across 70 markets in British Columbia and involved... Read this article online