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
Gopher Control in the Post-Strychnine Era: Effective Solutions for Canadian Farmers Monday, December 23, 2024 As Canadian farmers adapt to new pest control regulations, the end of liquid strychnine use has prompted the need for innovative, effective, and efficient gopher control strategies. Viceroy Distributors is at the forefront of this shift, offering cutting-edge solutions designed to address the... Read this article online
MacAulay remains ag minister after cabinet shuffle Monday, December 23, 2024 Lawrence MacAulay is still Canada’s minister of agriculture following Prime Minister Trudeau’s Dec. 20 cabinet shuffle. In total, eight new MPs became cabinet ministers, some of whom may find themselves engaged with the ag sector. Terry Duguid, the Manitoba MP for Winnipeg South, for... Read this article online
Snow Begone: The RapidTrak Series Friday, December 20, 2024 BYLINE: Zahra Sadiq Winter is upon us, and with it comes thick layers of snow, making everything just a little more difficult. But it doesn’t have to be that way, thanks to the RapidTrak Snow Blowers by Ariens. This company’s story starts in 1933 when Henry Ariens took his sons... Read this article online
AEM partners with Euro counterpart to enhance global alignment on key ag manufacturer issues Friday, December 20, 2024 The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA) have signed a () to enhance advocacy efforts for the agricultural equipment industry. The agreement seeks to create a positive legislative and regulatory environment across... Read this article online
Broad Stakeholder Input Key as Pork Sector Prepares for Pig Code of Practice Update Friday, December 20, 2024 The Executive Director of the Canadian Pork Council suggests open honest communication and broad stakeholder input will be key as the next update of Canada's Pig Code of Practice gets underway. In 2014 Canada's Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs was updated, the biggest change... Read this article online