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
Bayer introduces Vyconic soybeans in Canada Friday, March 14, 2025 Bayer is bringing a new soybean variety to Canadian farmers. Vyconic soybeans is a new trait technology providing growers with tolerance to multiple herbicide active ingredients. “It’s the industry’s first soybean trait to have herbicide tolerance to five different herbicides,” David... Read this article online
An eventful few days for Canadian ag Thursday, March 13, 2025 Canadian farmers found themselves on the receiving end of support from the federal government, tariff threats from the U.S. and the imposition of tariffs from another country in recent days. March 7 – Tariff Threat From America President Trump threatens tariffs against Canadian dairy and... Read this article online
Canada commits over $500 million to protect hog producers from African Swine Fever threat Thursday, March 13, 2025 The Canadian government is taking significant steps to protect rural communities and the pork industry from the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF). Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Lawrence MacAulay, revealed a funding commitment of up to $567.16 million to support... Read this article online
Relief to Ukrainian Dairy Farmers Thursday, March 13, 2025 With the ongoing war in the Ukraine, dairy farmers in Ukraine are struggling. In the spring and summer of 2025, 62 diesel generators, each with a capacity of 80 to 100 kilowatts, will be deployed across Ukraine. These generators are essential for powering dairy farms, particularly in... Read this article online
Top Market Movers to Watch for the Week of March 17 Thursday, March 13, 2025 By Aleah Harle, Farms.com Risk Management Intern This Farms.com column trackskey events in commodity marketing impacting the agriculture industry!The series of article shares reports or statistics to watch the following week which may have an impact on commodity prices in the coming... Read this article online