Country Guide in 2014 profiled Milligan Biofuels, whose Foam Lake, Sask. facility is shown here with the company’s first executive manager, local farmer Zenneth Faye. (Photo for Country Guide by Carol’s Photography)

Canola biodiesel processor in receivership

An eastern Saskatchewan biodiesel processor using growers’ heated, green, spring-harvested, tough and otherwise off-spec canola for feedstock is in receivership. Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench on Thursday appointed Calgary-based insolvency trustee Hardie and Kelly as the receiver for Milligan Biofuels, which operates at Foam Lake, about 90 km northwest of Yorkton. Alberta’s Crown lending agency […] Read more

(Bob Nichols photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. grains: Corn firms on short-covering at month’s end

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures rose on Thursday as fund-driven short-covering at the end of the month overshadowed disappointing export sales data, analysts said. Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended mostly lower, with nearby contracts pressured by heavier-than-expected deliveries against the December contract on first notice day. Soybeans fell, led […] Read more


The Big River Resources ethanol plant at West Burlington, Iowa, about 120 km southwest of Davenport. (Steven Vaughn photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. EPA ups biofuel targets slightly

Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it will require fuel companies to blend slightly more biofuels into the nation’s gasoline and diesel next year, angering oil refiners who view them as a competitive threat. The announcement follows weeks of lobbying by Midwestern lawmakers and representatives of the corn industry who wanted […] Read more




Ripe soybeans near Morden, Man. on Sept. 14, 2017. (Allan Dawson photo)

U.S. grains: Soy, wheat, corn firm on export demand

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures firmed on Thursday on supportive export demand and light bargain buying following a three-day slide, along with renewed optimism about demand for soy-based biodiesel fuel, analysts said. Wheat and corn rose on light technical buying and bullish weekly export sales data. Chicago Board of Trade November soybean futures […] Read more