EXHIBIT 32.1

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                                 18 U.S.C. 1350

      In connection with the Quarterly Report of Sanderson Farms, Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2005 (the "Report"),
I, Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
certify that:

      (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

      (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.

/s/ Joe F. Sanderson, Jr.
-------------------------
Joe F. Sanderson, Jr.
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
February 24, 2005