Chicago | Reuters — U.S. political tensions with Iran and Russia have proved no barrier to those countries buying American grain, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday. Iran bought 66,000 tonnes of U.S. corn last week for the first time in three years, according to USDA weekly export sales […] Read more
Politics no barrier as Iran, Russia buy U.S. grain
U.S. ag secretary orders update of agency’s animal welfare research strategy
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed agency staff to create and deliver an updated animal welfare strategy plan within 60 days, according to an internal email reviewed by Reuters. The emailed memo from Chavonda Jacobs-Young, head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, was sent to all Animal […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices feel vulnerable
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were extremely volatile this past week. In eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the weaker Canadian dollar had a noticeable effect on demand, with the market trading steady to slightly higher in certain cases. Alberta values, however, were definitely softer as cattle prices came under pressure causing feeding margins to narrow. Buyers […] Read more
Nova Scotia MP named parliamentary ag secretary
A promotion at the federal Tories’ cabinet table has led to the appointment of a new parliamentary secretary on the agriculture file. Gerald Keddy, MP for the Nova Scotia riding of South Shore-St. Margaret’s since 1997, was named Friday to replace Ontario MP Pierre Lemieux as parliamentary secretary for Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. Lemieux, the […] Read more
Fertilizer prices stray away from corn influence: Analyst
CNS Canada — Foreign exports and transportation look like they could be the main issues facing the fertilizer industry in 2015. Countries such as Ukraine, Russia and Belarus are busy players on the market, with Morocco also ramping up production. As a result, more supplies of phosphates and other fertilizers are out there, according to […] Read more
Pearce: Monsanto’s next-gen weed control trait on deck
The question has been asked time and again for the past three or four years: when will we see Monsanto’s Xtend technology in Canada? The answer has been wrapped up in a long list of concerns and government procedure, but the first glint of opportunity for growers has cleared the next-to-last of a series hurdles. […] Read more
Canada’s canola crush pace hits six-month high
CNS Canada — Canada’s canola crushing pace jumped to its highest level in six months during the week ended Wednesday, according to data from the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association (COPA). Domestic crushers processed 153,102 tonnes of canola during the week, up more than five per cent from the week prior, COPA data shows. The last […] Read more
December U.S. cattle placements slowed more than anticipated
Chicago | Reuters — The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in December 2014 fell versus last year, a government report showed on Friday, but more than was expected, said analysts. They said feedyards bought fewer calves for fattening, noting that expensive feed and pricey calves wore down margins. Ranchers held back heifers to […] Read more
Green group targets Super Bowl’s official hummus
If you’re a chickpea grower and you didn’t already know it, you’ll be pleased to hear Americans watching the Super Bowl this weekend might not only be chowing down on chicken wings. Thanks to its designation as the National Football League’s (NFL) official dip sponsor, they could also be dipping into Sabra brand hummus, of […] Read more
Deere to cut over 900 U.S. workers as ag economy weakens
Chicago | Reuters — Deere and Co., the world’s largest maker of farm equipment, will lay off more than 900 employees at plants in Iowa and Illinois in the latest round of job cuts spurred by a decline in grain prices that is hurting demand for agricultural machinery. The layoffs, which represent about three per […] Read more