Sanderson Farms, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend

LAUREL, Miss.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sanderson Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAFM) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 (fifteen cents) per share payable February 23, 2010, to stockholders of record on February 9, 2010.

“In recent weeks we have witnessed what is clearly the most devastating earthquake in recent history and its destruction to our neighbors in Haiti. Our contribution has been designated to support the emergency relief and recovery efforts to help those people in Haiti affected by this unprecedented disaster.”

The Company also announced that it has made a gift in the amount of $100,000 to the American Red Cross designated for relief efforts in Haiti. Commenting on the announcement, Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms, Inc., said, “In recent weeks we have witnessed what is clearly the most devastating earthquake in recent history and its destruction to our neighbors in Haiti. Our contribution has been designated to support the emergency relief and recovery efforts to help those people in Haiti affected by this unprecedented disaster.”

Sanderson Farms, Inc. is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. Its shares trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol SAFM.

Sanderson Farms, Inc.
Mike Cockrell
Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer
601-649-4030