Chicago | Reuters — The number of cattle put into U.S. feedlots in February climbed 10 per cent from a year earlier to their highest level for that month in eight years, according to a government report released Friday. The placement results, which shed light on future prices for cattle and beef, surpassed industry forecasts […] Read more
Cattle placed in U.S. feedlots jump to eight-year high
Major grocers pledge cage-free eggs by 2025
The grocery arm of the body for Canadian retailers has rolled out a 10-year plan to source the eggs its members sell from layer hens raised in “cage-free environments.” The grocer members of the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), which include Loblaw, Sobeys/Safeway, Metro and Wal-Mart Canada, said Friday they are “voluntarily committing to the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle slump before USDA report
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures retreated on Friday ahead of the bulk of this week’s cash sales, later in the afternoon, and the government’s monthly Cattle on Feed report at 2 p.m. CT, traders said. April live cattle ended 1.325 cents/lb. lower at 139.825, and June closed 1.6 cents lower […] Read more
General Mills to label GMOs in U.S. products
Reuters — General Mills on Friday said it would begin putting labels on its products that contain genetically engineered ingredients, a move that comes days after U.S. senators failed to advance legislation aimed at blocking Vermont from requiring such labels on July 1. U.S. consumer are calling for greater transparency around food production and sourcing, […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat closes higher on short-covering
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures edged higher on Friday, snapping a three-day losing streak on some end-of-week short-covering, traders said. Soybean futures were mixed, with the most-active contract easing after hitting a 3-1/2-month peak overnight. Deferred contracts ended slightly higher, supported by recent gains in Brazil’s currency that raised hopes of increased export […] Read more
Canola crush hits new weekly record
CNS Canada — Canadian canola processors are running at close to full capacity, despite any softness in crush margins, with the weekly crush hitting its largest level ever, according to the latest data from the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association (COPA). The weekly canola crush hit 188,081 tonnes during the week ended Wednesday, topping the previous […] Read more
France moves toward all-out ban on neonics
Paris | Reuters — French lawmakers approved plans for a total ban on some widely used pesticides blamed for harming bees, going beyond European Union restrictions in a fierce debate that has pitched farmers and chemical firms against beekeepers and green groups. The EU limited the use of neonicotinoid chemicals, produced by companies including Bayer […] Read more
Nitrates to linger for decades in N-heavy waterways, study finds
Lakes, rivers, streams and well water high in nitrates will stay that way for another 35 years or more, even if farmers in those watersheds were to stop applying nitrogen (N) fertilizer on their fields today, a new study shows. The study of the Mississippi River basin, published Tuesday by Canadian and U.S. researchers, shows […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle ease ahead of cash prices, USDA report
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed lower on Thursday, weakened by profit-taking as investors wait for market-ready, or cash, cattle to change hands by Friday, traders said. Some traders also positioned themselves for Friday’s U.S. Department of Agriculture monthly Cattle on Feed report. April live cattle ended 0.4 cent/lb. lower […] Read more
Foreign worker break for seafood sector a ‘one-time’ deal
Winnipeg | Reuters –– Canada’s move to loosen restrictions on hiring foreign workers for East Coast seafood plants was a one-time decision, and the government is not convinced other sectors need similar measures, the country’s employment minister said Thursday. The Liberal government eased restrictions under its foreign worker program recently for Atlantic seafood processors, allowing […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
