Dec 9, 2005 9:10 AM, from staff and wire reports

Sanderson Farms Inc, Laurel MS-based producer and distributor of chicken and other prepared food, reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended Oct 31, 2005.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 totaled $249.1 million, compared with $259.2 million for the same period a year ago. For the quarter, net income was $10.1 million, versus net income of $5.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.

For fiscal 2005, net sales were $1.006 billion, compared with $1.052 billion for fiscal 2004. Net income for the year totaled $70.6 million, in contrast to net income of $91.4 million a year earlier.