Strasbourg, France | Reuters — France will put up fencing along its border with Belgium to prevent wild boars spreading African swine fever, a virulent livestock disease that could disrupt Europe’s pig industry. France has been on alert for African swine fever since Belgium detected the virus last month among wild boars a few kilometres […] Read more
Fearful of swine fever, France to put up fence on Belgian border
Vietnam could halt imports of wheat containing thistle seed
Hanoi | Reuters — Vietnam might halt imports of wheat cargoes containing cirsium arvense, or thistle seed, while suggesting local importers should seek supplies from Kazakhstan, Australia and Argentina, local media reported on Thursday. Wheat importer Vietnam, whose main suppliers include Russia, Australia and Canada, has been battling with imported wheat contaminated with thistle seed […] Read more
Altria reported seeking stake in cannabis firm Aphria
Reuters — Marlboro maker Altria Group is in talks for a stake in Canadian cannabis producer Aphria Inc., the Globe and Mail reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources. The details of Richmond, Virginia-based Altria’s investment are still being finalized, though it has expressed interest in buying a minority stake in Aphria with the intention of […] Read more
Walmart Canada exploring possible sale of cannabis-based products
Reuters — Walmart’s Canadian unit said Tuesday it is exploring the possibility of selling cannabis-based products, but has no immediate plans to get into the business. Walmart is the first major retailer to show an interest in being a part of Canada’s burgeoning marijuana industry, as other big U.S. companies, mainly in the alcohol and […] Read more
Fund raises stake in Bunge, reportedly pushing for change
Reuters — Hedge fund D.E. Shaw and Co. has raised its stake in Bunge and was working with Continental Grain to make operational improvements at the grain trader, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Bunge’s shares were up 2.5 per cent at US$70.64 on Monday. The firms, which together own […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hog, cattle contracts end mixed
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures were mostly lower on Thursday, with deferred contracts setting back on a round of profit-taking. The front-month October hogs contract ended slightly higher, but closed below session peaks, in thin trading. Live cattle contracts followed a similar pattern to the hogs, with the front-month contract […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures extend rally
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose for the third day in a row on Tuesday, with the market still underpinned by the trade deal among the U.S., Canada and Mexico, traders said. But technical buying pulled prices from their highs and the market failed to take out the 5-1/2-month high […] Read more
Swiss voters reject more aid for farmers
Zurich | Reuters — Swiss voters decisively rejected more help for farmers in two referendums on Sunday, heeding the government’s warnings that the measures would send food prices rocketing and hurt the economy, projections for broadcaster SRF showed. Opinion polls had shown early widespread support for more farm aid was fading as the vote neared […] Read more
Mexico says will seek deal with Canada if NAFTA talks fail
Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico’s incoming government will pursue a bilateral deal with Canada if talks to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement falter, Mexican president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday. After more than a year of talks to modernize the NAFTA trade pact between the United States, Mexico and Canada, […] Read more
Aurora Cannabis plans U.S. stock listing in October
Reuters — Canada’s Aurora Cannabis said Thursday it plans a U.S. listing of its shares in October, as it looks to cash in on strong investor appetite for marijuana producers. Interest has boomed in Canada’s marijuana companies ahead of legalization of recreational cannabis in the country next month. Several U.S. states have also legalized marijuana […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
