U.S. food companies spent almost as much lobbying Congress in the first quarter of 2014 as they did in the full year in 2013, a sign the industry may have intensified its fight against state labelling requirements for genetically engineered foods, according to a report released Tuesday. The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), along with companies […] Read more
Food industry lobbying spikes amid GMO fight-report
Grain groups urge USDA to restore inspections at Washington port
A coalition of U.S. grain groups has urged the Department of Agriculture to immediately restore official grain inspection services at the Port of Vancouver, Washington, which is involved in a long-running labor dispute. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the 22 national, regional and state organizations said disruptions at the port “put at […] Read more
U.S. farmers seen likely to plant less corn, more soy
Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday said U.S. farmers were likely to plant less corn in the upcoming season, switching land to soybeans and wheat instead. In its annual long-term baseline report, USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist estimated corn plantings for 2014-15 at 93.5 million acres, down from its […] Read more
U.S. PEDv cases jump; one more in SW Ont.
Reuters — Confirmed cases of a deadly pig virus spreading across the U.S. farm belt increased by 265 last week — the biggest weekly increase since it was discovered in the United States in April 2013, according to USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), which causes diarrhea, vomiting and severe […] Read more
Japan ramps up U.S., June Canada wheat buys to offset delays
Tokyo | Reuters — Japan ramped up its purchases of U.S. grains and June-arrival Canadian wheat used for making bread and noodles, in a tender awarded on Thursday, in a move to offset the possibility of extended shipping delays from Canada. Canada’s record canola and wheat harvests have clogged its rail arteries and overwhelmed its […] Read more
Back-to-work legislation planned against possible CN strike
Canada’s Labour Minister Kellie Leitch said Wednesday the federal government plans to introduce back-to-work legislation to deal with a potential strike at Canadian National Railway (CN). “Today, our Conservative government is taking action to protect Canada’s economy and Canadian grain farmers by indicating our intention to introduce legislation to make sure CN stays on track,” […] Read more
U.S. feedlot cattle placements rise as feed costs decline
The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in September increased one per cent from a year earlier, a government report showed Oct. 31. Analysts attributed the rise to lower-priced corn, which reduced the cost of fattening cattle in feedlots. Also, higher prices for slaughter-ready cattle improved margins and drew more animals into feedlots. The […] Read more
Ukraine loads first maize cargo to China
Ukraine’s state-run grain firm GPZKU is loading a 70,000 tonne maize cargo for China, the first ever Ukrainian maize shipment to the Chinese market, a government source said Oct. 31.The source said about 40,000 tonnes of maize has been loaded as of Oct. 31 onto a vessel in Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Yuzhny.Ukraine’s Agriculture […] Read more
During shutdown, China and others quietly binged on U.S. grain
China and other big grain importers embarked on a corn and soybean buying spree during the U.S. government’s 16-day shutdown this month, taking advantage of a lapse in mandatory reporting of their deals, data showed on Thursday. Figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which had halted collection of required weekly grain export sales information […] Read more
CN Rail reaches tentative deal with Teamsters Union
Canadian National Railway Co , the country’s largest rail operator, agreed to a new labour contract for some 3,300 conductors, trainmen, yardmen and traffic coordinators represented by the Teamsters union, the railway said Thursday. The tentative three-year deal, the details of which were withheld pending ratification, comes after a week of talks with government-appointed mediators. […] Read more
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