Sanderson Farms Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 (fifteen cents) per share payable on October 20, 2009, to stockholders of record on October 6, 2009. This represents a new annual dividend rate of $0.60 (sixty cents) per share. The Board's decision to increase its regular quarterly dividend reflects Sanderson Farms' improved operating results as well as its solid financial position.

Sanderson Farms Inc. announced that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share payable October 20, 2009, to stockholders of record on October 6, 2009. This represents a new annual dividend rate of $0.60 per share.

Sanderson Farms Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended July 31, 2009. For the quarter, the company's net sales were $504.8 million compared with $466.9 million for the same period a year ago. The company reported net income of $43.0 million or $2.09 per diluted share compared with a net loss of $3.6 million or $0.18 per diluted share for the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Operating income was $69.5 million compared with operating loss of $3.4 million for the same period a year ago. Income before income taxes was $67.5 million compared with loss before income taxes of $5.7 million for the same period a year ago. For the nine months, the company's net sales were $1,320.5 million compared with $1,263.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Net income for the period totaled $62.5 million or $3.04 per diluted share compared with $8.8 million or $0.43 per diluted share for the first nine months of last year. Operating income was $105.7 million compared with operating income of $18.7 million for the same period a year ago. Income before income taxes was $97.9 million compared with income before income taxes of $12.7 million for the same period a year ago.