Agricultural giant Cargill Inc. announced on Tuesday that its second-quarter earnings had jumped 20 per cent to $174 million, led by the company's beef processing and financial businesses, Reuters reports. For the first six months of fiscal 2001, profits rose 17 percent to $346 million. In a statement, Cargill said the beef processing business was boosted by brisk consumer demand and adequate cattle supplies. Cargill's global grain and oilseed businesses posted improved results due to streamlined operations and a modest boost in demand in several regions, the company said.