Company

Commentary: Roasting McRib
11/15/2011 8:58:52 AM
Even as McDonald’s iconic sandwich disappears from the menuboard, it’s leaving behind some nasty impressions as to exactly what goes into the product so many people love to indulge. FULL STORY »

Political motives seen in Wal-Mart's China trouble
10/14/2011 9:30:00 AM
Wal-Mart is getting another public bludgeoning in China as popular anger over food safety makes the retail giant an easy target for political point scoring ahead of a central government leadership shuffle. FULL STORY »

Walmart expects to end three-year sales slump
10/13/2011 6:00:00 AM
Walmart executives say U.S. sales have been trending up, and they plan to increase store openings next year. Still, some current and former employees say the retailer faces significant challenges. FULL STORY »

Newsham Choice Genetics adds new employees
10/12/2011 4:19:39 PM
Newsham Choice Genetics, a worldwide leader in swine genetics technology, has added three new professionals: Daniel Gorbach, Chris Sparks and Kim Naber. FULL STORY »

Hormel Foods announces new business structure
10/12/2011 3:16:09 PM
Hormel Foods Corporation has announced a new business structure that will result in Grocery Products and Consumer Products Sales reporting to Steven G. Binder. In recognition of these new responsibilities, Binder is being promoted to the position of executive vice president and president of Hormel business units. He will continue to be responsible for the company’s Refrigerated Foods business segment. FULL STORY »

S&P upgrades Smithfield rating
10/11/2011 1:26:13 PM
Standard & Poor Services raised its rating on Smithfield Foods Inc. this week, saying the country’s top pork producer has improved operating performing and credit measures. S&P believes Smithfield will be able to sustain its current level of earnings for the rest of the fiscal year due to higher pricing for hogs and pork, despite possible pressure from stunted economic growth and higher feed costs. FULL STORY »

Analyst says sell-off in Smithfield Foods overdone
09/28/2011 10:28:10 AM
A recent sell-off in Smithfield Foods is overdone, one analyst says. Shares of Smithfield rose initially Wednesday as BMO Capital Markets' Kenneth Zaslow raised his rating for the world's biggest hog producer. He said the September drop in the stock is an overreaction to lower hog prices, and provides an attractive entry point to buy the stock. FULL STORY »

Tyson CEO: Beef, Pork to offset weak chicken business in 2011
09/09/2011 10:00:00 AM
Tyson Foods Inc. Chief Executive Donnie Smith said earnings per share this fiscal year would be shy of that the year before, though strong performances by beef and pork would offset depressed chicken pricing, historically high input costs and the effects of a slack economy. FULL STORY »

Hormel sees average pork profit margins through 2012
09/07/2011 3:22:23 PM
Hormel Foods Corp. has said it expects to earn middling profit margins from its pork products for the rest of 2011 and 2012. "Our expectation for remainder of this year and next year is middle-of-the-road for those margins," said Jeffrey Ettinger, Hormel's president and chief executive. FULL STORY »

Chicken is a buy; pork not so much
08/26/2011 12:36:19 PM
Leave the Spam on the shelf and grab yourself a chicken leg instead. That may sum up the investment thesis of some agribusiness analysts who follow two of the biggest U.S. meat processors, Hormel Foods Corp. and Sanderson Farms, Inc. FULL STORY »

Iowa BIVI vaccine facility unveiled in grand opening
08/26/2011 10:08:44 AM
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad traveled to Sioux Center this week to attend the grand opening for one of three Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) specialized vaccine research facilities. The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) assisted in bringing this $17 million expansion project to Sioux Center, Ames and Fort Dodge with tax credits and a forgivable loan in the amount of $3.2 million. FULL STORY »