U.S. Lawmakers Mull over China’s Smithfield Foods Takeover

Jul 10, 2013

U.S. Lawmakers Mull over China’s Smithfield Foods Takeover

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

United States lawmakers have a scheduled hearing on Wednesday to discuss China’s pending takeover of Smithfield Foods.

Senate Agriculture Committee lawmakers will weigh in on the deal offered by China’s Shuanghui International to buy Smithfield. The deal was struck this spring and announced in May.

The committee said the hearing will scrutinize the pending acquisition of Smithfield, while examining the government review process for foreign takeovers. Consideration will also be made on topics such as American food safety and studying the effects of foreign ownership of the U.S. food supply.

If the deal goes through, it would be the largest takeover of a U.S. company by a Chinese business – valued at $7.1 billion. Larry Pope, Smithfield Foods’ CEO is expected to speak at the hearing.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.