(Dave Bedard photo)

Fertilizer prices look to rise by late summer

CNS Canada — A rise in prices for soybeans and other crops could make fertilizer more expensive in the coming months, according to a major player in the industry. In the May market report from the Mosaic Co., the company credited the rally in agricultural commodity prices, the strengthening of key currencies and various Indian […] Read more

Mosaic’s potash facility at Esterhazy, Sask. (Greg Berg photo)

Mosaic looks for bargain buys as fertilizer sector slumps

Reuters — U.S. fertilizer company Mosaic Co., grappling with falling prices and profits, is looking for acquisitions that could be bargain-priced in a weak commodity sector. The world’s largest producer of finished phosphate products on Thursday forecast lower selling prices for potash and phosphate in the current quarter. The Plymouth, Minn.-based company also reported fourth-quarter […] Read more


(Fertilizer Safety and Security Council)

Fertilizer expected to be pricier by springtime

CNS Canada –– Relatively cheap natural gas has helped push down fertilizer prices for Canadian farmers over the past winter, but that should change by springtime. One Manitoba farm leader noted urea fertilizer that went for $545 per tonne last August could now be acquired for $445 per tonne. “Phosphate fertilizer was going for $721 […] Read more

Mosaic cuts phosphate production

Reuters –– U.S.-based fertilizer producer Mosaic Co. said Wednesday it would cut output of phosphates by up to 400,000 tonnes with rotating plant shutdowns in the first quarter, due to weak demand. Fertilizer producers have seen profits hit by falling prices, triggered in part by weak currencies in importing countries such as Brazil. “The long-term […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Agrium bucks fertilizer sector trend with Q3 profit

Reuters — Canadian fertilizer and farm retail dealer Agrium on Thursday reported quarterly profit jumped nearly nine per cent, as higher sales volumes and lower costs helped it buck the sector’s trend of weaker earnings. Weaker currencies in fertilizer-buying markets such as Brazil and India are weighing down prices, leading rivals PotashCorp and Mosaic Co. […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Agrium)

Slowdown in sales softens fertilizer market

CNS Canada — A lack of buying throughout North and South America has put fertilizer prices under pressure, but so far, no one is lining up to capitalize on the weakness, according to an industry watcher. “Farmers aren’t in the mood to buy fall fertilizer. I think they’re more uncertain this year than they normally […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Mosaic cuts potash output as demand slumps

Reuters — U.S. fertilizer company Mosaic Co. said Monday it would cut potash production and maintain its reduced phosphate output pace, lowering its outlook for sales. Delayed fertilizer purchases in Brazil and North America have weakened markets, along with volatile currency and equity markets and lower crop prices, Mosaic said in a statement after markets […] Read more

Wayne’s canola plants were purpling and dying. There was uneven and stunted growth throughout the crop.

Crop Advisor’s Casebook: A canola conundrum confounds

A Crop Advisor’s Solution from the September 2, 2014 issue of Grainews

In early June I received a call from Wayne, a canola grower in Westlock, Alta. He told me a field of his canola was suffering from very poor plant establishment and vigour. The plants were purpling and dying. “Only a few plants have come up,” Wayne said. “The ones that did are stunted and have […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Fertilizer firm Mosaic forecasts bigger-than-expected Q4 profit

Reuters — U.S. fertilizer company Mosaic Co. on Monday estimated it would post a larger fourth-quarter profit than expected and surpassed its targets for phosphate sales. Mosaic, the world’s largest producer of finished phosphate products and North America’s second-biggest potash producer, said it expects to earn 93 to 98 cents per share in the quarter […] Read more