(Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. farm groups oppose Trump’s cuts to ag spending

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. farm groups on Tuesday pushed back against President Donald Trump’s proposal to slash agriculture spending, viewing it as a fresh threat to a struggling farm economy. The White House on Monday proposed $46.54 billion in cuts to federal government funding for the agriculture sector over the next 10 years, including […] Read more

(AGCanada.com, Bunge.com photos)

Glencore approaches Bunge on possible takeover

Reuters — Glencore Plc said on Tuesday its agricultural unit has made an informal approach to commodities trader Bunge Ltd. about a “possible consensual business combination,” the company said in a statement. The commodities trading firm did not say more about a potential offer that its Glencore Agriculture unit made to Bunge. Glencore, whose Canadian […] Read more



Corey Loessin feels fortunate he got the 2016 crop off last fall. If conditions dry out and temperature warms a bit he should be on track for the 2017 seeding season on his Radisson, Sask., farm.

Farmers facing mixed bag of conditions

Farmer Panel: Most farmers are on track for seeding, but many are dealing with last year’s crop

On schedule with one-third of the crop seeded, still about a week away, and scrambling to get some of last year’s crop harvested while working to get the 2017 crop in the ground — these are the range of reports from western Canadian farmers as of early May as they look at the cropping season […] Read more


Sask. farmers make good seeding progress, despite the weather

Saskatchewan Crop Report for the week ending May 15, 2017

Despite recent cool and wet weather, good seeding progress was made for much of the province this past week. Thirty per cent of the 2017 crop is now in the ground, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. The five-year (2012-2016) seeding average for this time of year is 33 per cent. Seeding is most […] Read more

BHP Billiton, whose Jansen, Sask. mine shaft is shown here, describes the mine as its “most advanced” project but still in its feasibility study stage. (BHPBilliton.com)

BHP stays course on potash mine few expected built

New York | Reuters — BHP Billiton’s Canadian potash mine will use advanced, cost-saving technology, giving it a competitive edge in a currently oversupplied fertilizer market, the executive in charge of the business said on Thursday. Australia-based BHP aims to start potash production at Jansen, Sask., about 70 km southeast of Humboldt, in 2023, eventually […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

EU to propose 10-year licence renewal for glyphosate

Brussels | Reuters — The European Commission will propose extending by 10 years its approval for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday. A transatlantic row over possible risks to human health has prompted investigations by congressional committees in the U.S., and in Europe has forced a delay to […] Read more



Black beetles on canola buds.

Want better insect surveys? Here’s how you can help

Provincial entomologists are looking to widen their insect survey networks

Every year provincial entomologists hit the fields, setting pheromone-baited traps and monitoring insect activity. Your help with these projects could improve the information available in your region. Alberta Alberta Agriculture and Forestry insect management specialist Scott Meers relies on growers. “We have large areas to cover, so when we get input from growers and agronomists […] Read more