Commodity giant Glencore saw its earnings from mining and oils drop last year, but saw a 172 per cent increase in its earnings from agricultural trading — largely due to results from Viterra. The world’s largest commodity trader on Monday reported overall EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $12.8 billion on sales […] Read more
Viterra boosts Glencore results
Wheat in study finds P where soil tests don’t
A long-term yield study in Saskatchewan shows wheat crops will use the phosphorus built up in soils over years of fertilizing — even where soil tests don’t show the nutrient is handy for use. While the results still need to be tested elsewhere, with other crops, the study’s findings may help Canadian farmers rethink how […] Read more
Saputo buys further into Australian cheese market
Canada’s biggest dairy processor has reached a deal to buy further into the Australian market, by buying the “everyday cheese” business of Australian beverage and dairy giant Lion. Saputo on Monday said it had reached a deal for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory, its 88 per cent-owned Australian subsidiary, to buy Lion’s “EDC” business for […] Read more
Case IH, New Holland launch pre-owned certification
CNH’s Case IH and New Holland farm equipment divisions have launched their own Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs, allowing farmers in Canada and the U.S. to buy eligible used late-model combines and tractors with warranty coverage. For Case IH, the CPO program announced Friday will provide buyers with warranties and financing on pre-owned late-model Steiger and […] Read more
Ontario’s Agricorp to offer direct deposit
Farm program payments handled by Ontario’s farm support delivery agency, Agricorp, will soon be available through direct deposit. Agricorp announced Tuesday that farmers can expect to see direct deposit enrolment information in their packages during the spring program renewal period, and can apply for direct deposit starting in March. Customers who sign up for direct […] Read more
Sask. decouples unseeded acres from crop insurance package
A new approach to coverage for fields that can’t be seeded in Saskatchewan has some farmers fearing for the future of the “multi-peril” standard in publicly-funded crop insurance. The Saskatchewan and federal governments on Thursday unveiled the province’s 2015 crop insurance program, touting both its increased coverage levels and lower premiums for growers. With a […] Read more
Trade panel rejects Que. appeal on edible oil products
Quebec has lost its last path of appeal against an interprovincial trade panel’s decision on restrictions for sales of vegetable oil-based dairy products in the province. An appellate panel, convened under the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), on Wednesday released a Jan. 26 report which upholds an AIT panel’s ruling last spring, favouring Saskatchewan’s challenge against Quebec’s […] Read more
Pork packers Olymel, Atrahan plan ‘partnership’
Meat packer Olymel has a “partnership” pact in hand with a competing Quebec pork player for joint operation of both companies’ hog slaughter and processing businesses. Olymel, the pork and poultry arm of La Coop federee, announced an agreement in principle Wednesday with family-owned packer Atrahan Transformation, to start talks on “pooling our operations in […] Read more
Prairie crop checkoff tax credits pegged for 2014
Prairie crop growers who are preparing their returns for the 2014 tax year and didn’t ask for refunds on their crop checkoffs may be able to see some of those funds come back in tax credits. Some crop commodity groups’ checkoffs qualify for the federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR+ED) tax credit, which can […] Read more
Last-minute tentative deal averts lockout at CN
Canadian National Railway (CN) has pulled its lockout notice after reaching a tentative labour deal with its unionized mechanical and clerical staff. The company, which last week set a lockout deadline of 11 p.m. ET Monday for employees represented by Unifor, announced the agreement late Monday night. “We are very pleased that the company and […] Read more
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