EXHIBIT 32.2

                            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 April 30, 2004 (the "Report"), I, D. Michael
Cockrell, Treasurer and Chief Financial 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/D. Michael Cockrell
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D. Michael Cockrell
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
May 25, 2004