**Core Concept**
Penicillin resistance in bacteria is a significant public health concern, resulting from the acquisition of genetic elements that confer resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin. This resistance can arise through various mechanisms, including enzymatic inactivation, target modification, and efflux pump overexpression.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is **C**. Here's why:
- **Option A:** Beta-lactamases, such as TEM and SHV, are enzymes that hydrolyze the beta-lactam ring of penicillin, rendering it ineffective. This is a true statement.
- **Option B:** The acquisition of plasmids or transposons can confer penicillin resistance by encoding genes that inactivate penicillin. This is a true statement.
- **Option C:** The statement "Penicillin resistance is always due to beta-lactamase production" is false. While beta-lactamase production is a significant mechanism of resistance, other mechanisms, such as altered penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and efflux pumps, also contribute to penicillin resistance.
- **Option D:** The use of penicillin in agriculture can contribute to the development and spread of penicillin-resistant bacteria. This is a true statement.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option C:** This statement is incorrect because it implies that beta-lactamase production is the sole mechanism of penicillin resistance, which is not the case.
- **Option D:** This statement is incorrect for this question because it is actually true.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that penicillin resistance can arise through multiple mechanisms, and a thorough understanding of these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective antibiotic stewardship strategies.

**Correct Answer: C. Penicillin resistance is always due to beta-lactamase production.**