U.S. President Joe Biden tours a manufacturing lab at McHenry County College during a visit to northwest Chicago suburb Crystal Lake on July 7, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)

Biden says administration engaged in talks to avert U.S. railroad strike

CN's U.S. operations would be affected

Nantucket | Reuters — U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that his administration was involved in negotiations to avert a looming U.S. railroad strike that could shut down supply chains across the country but added that he has not directly engaged on the matter yet. Speaking to reporters outside a fire station on Nantucket […] Read more

A G-Mac’s custom seed treatment unit loads a truck with treated peas in a 2020 video screengrab. (G-Mac’s AgTeam via YouTube)

Simplot to buy western Saskatchewan ag retail chain

G-Mac's AgTeam to rebrand under Simplot name

An independent crop input retail chain in western Saskatchewan is set to become part of agrifood firm J.R. Simplot’s retail arm. Simplot announced Nov. 15 it has a deal in place to buy G-Mac’s AgTeam, which owns and operates 15 outlets in the region, for an undisclosed sum. The deal, which will see the G-Mac’s […] Read more


A freighter is loaded with grain from a terminal at Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet. (Maxvis/iStock/Getty Images)

Ocean freight rates under pressure

Container rates also lower

MarketsFarm — Ocean freight rates have come under pressure over the past month, nearing their lowest levels of 2022 as mounting COVID-19 cases in China, along with increased restrictions in the country, have contributed to concerns over declining demand. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), a major indicator of bulk shipping rates, settled at 1,149 points […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Cargill names new CEO

Former proteins boss to lead firm

Reuters — Cargill Inc. said on Monday Brian Sikes will take over as the global commodities trader’s new president and CEO effective Jan. 1. Sikes will succeed Dave MacLennan, who has served as Cargill’s CEO and chairman since 2013. MacLennan will now assume the role of executive chair of Cargill’s board of directors and will […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

AAFC report sees another series of tweaks

MarketsFarm — As expected, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) avoided making any major revisions to its November supply and demand estimates, waiting until Statistics Canada issues its next production report on Dec. 2. AAFC released its latest monthly report late Friday afternoon. While AAFC tweaked its November supply and demand estimates from October, most of […] Read more

BNSF crews clear track near Lemmon, S.D., about 300 km northeast of Rapid City, in late December 2016. (BNSF.com)

Biggest U.S. rail union rejects tentative deal, raising threat of strike

Union digs in on paid sick time

Washington/Los Angeles | Reuters — Workers at the largest U.S. rail union voted against a tentative contract deal reached in September, raising the possibility of a year-end strike that could cause significant damage to the U.S. economy and strand vital shipments of food and fuel. Train and engine service members of the transportation division of […] Read more


Chickpeas. (CalypsoArt/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Chickpea prices rise amid tight supplies

Supplies still haven't recovered off 2021

MarketsFarm — Chickpea prices in Western Canada are on the rise due to tight supplies, according to one trader. Prices for Kabuli chickpeas rose five cents per pound from last month, with high-delivered bids ranging from 40 cents/lb. for the seven-millimetre variety to 55.5 cents/lb. for 10-mm, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. In comparison to […] Read more

File photo of a CN locomotive in Chicago. (Photo courtesy CN)

Third U.S. union rejects national rail contract deal

Two major unions' decisions due next week

Washington | Reuters — A third U.S. rail union voted on Monday to reject a tentative national contract reached in September, but expects to continue negotiating to reach a deal. The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB), which represents about 300 U.S. rail employees, rejected the agreement, said the union and the National Carriers’ Conference Committee […] Read more


Bridge Agri Partners’ Katrime, Man. facility is built around a former Manitoba Pool Elevators site that company divested in 2001 during the formation of Agricore United (now part of Viterra). (BridgeAgriPartners.com)

Andersons buys grains broker Bridge Agri Partners

Lethbridge business will keep existing name

Lethbridge grain marketing and handling firm Bridge Agri Partners has been taken up by U.S. grain and ag input firm The Andersons. Bill Krueger, president of The Andersons’ trade and processing arm, said in a release Nov. 1 it had bought the Prairie company for an undisclosed amount, its goal being “to expand our pet […] Read more

A freight train at Manchac, La., about 75 km east of Baton Rouge. (CN.ca)

U.S. railroads, union extend strike deadline until at least Dec. 4

Teamsters warn against 'blatant attempt to cause panic'

Washington | Reuters — A group representing major railroads and a union that voted to reject a new contract said Wednesday they had agreed to extend a potential strike deadline until at least Dec. 4. The National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) that represents 11,000 workers extended the current […] Read more