Danish Crown wants to sell shares Monday, December 5, 2011 Smithfield Foods is well known as the world's largest pork producer. But the world's largest pork exporter isn't on this continent.Danish Crown, 124 years old and co-operatively owned by 9,800 farmers, slaughtered 19.4 million hogs in 2009/2010 in Denmark, Britain, Sweden and Poland. It sells to 130 different countries with annual revenue of C$8.44 billion and its largest export market is the United States. It wants to raise C$1 billion in development capital and it won't come from cash-strapped farmers. So "going public" by selling stock on an exchange is being considered. The goal, according to board chairman Niels Mikkelsen, is to become one of the three largest food companies in Europe.However, Henrik Mortensen, chairman of Danske Svineproducenter, the national association of Danish pork producers, has warned that farmers must be aware of the consequences of such a step.In early October, Danish Crown laid off 400 employees in Demark packing plants because fewer pigs were being sent to slaughter than anticipated. According to a press release: "High labour costs continue to pose a major challenge for the company, which explains the continued strong focus on capacity." BP Smithfield sow numbers down, but still huge Pork products make fast-food comeback
Ag mentioned in Manitoba throne speech Friday, November 22, 2024 Manitoba’s ag sector received multiple mentions during the Nov. 19 throne speech. During Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville’s remarks, she highlighted the government’s plans for Winnipeg. “Our new vision for downtown Winnipeg includes Manitoba’s agricultural sector,” she said. “The new... Read this article online
AEM adds two ag equipment innovators to its Hall of Fame Friday, November 22, 2024 At the recently held Annual Conference of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Roy Applequist and Al McQuinn—two innovators in the agricultural equipment industry—were formally inducted into the association’s . The AEM is North America’s premier trade organization... Read this article online
AGI’s pink conveyor campaign raises more than $60,000 for breast cancer research Thursday, November 21, 2024 Among the greens and reds associated with some of the equipment at Bolt Seed Farms near Wynyard, Sask., one piece of machinery with a unique paint job recently arrived. With a bid of $65,100, Scott Bolt and the Bolt family had the highest bid for Ag Growth International’s (AGI) pink UCX³... Read this article online
IGTC appoints a new Canadian VP Thursday, November 21, 2024 The International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC) recently held its annual General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, gathering international members both in person and virtually to chart a strategic course for the years ahead. The event’s agenda covered critical issues in the global grain... Read this article online
Native plants could be the solution for poultry feed in Alberta Thursday, November 21, 2024 At Lethbridge Polytechnic, Dr. Sophie Kernéis-Golsteyn, a microbiologist, is leading research into antibiotic properties of native Alberta plants to find a natural feed additive for poultry. The project, funded with $80,000 from the Egg Farmers of Canada, will run for 2.5 years in the... Read this article online