File photo of a canola field in northern France’s Normandy region. (Brasil2/iStock/Getty Images)

France confirms S-metolachlor herbicide ban with 18-month deadline

Ban would mostly affect corn, sunflower crops

Paris | Reuters — France will proceed with a ban on major crop uses of herbicide S-metolachlor owing to concerns over water pollution, with farmers able to use the product for another 18 months, the agriculture ministry said on Friday. The decision follows a ruling in February by health and safety agency ANSES that main […] Read more



(Leonid Eremeychuk/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. trade commission sues pesticide makers, alleging price scheme

Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued two top pesticide manufacturers for allegedly entering into exclusive contracts with distributors that kept prices paid by farmers artificially high. The consumer watchdog agency was motivated to bring the case in part because rising costs and supply chain disruptions from Russia’s invasion of […] Read more

Syngenta’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo courtesy Syngenta)

Italian court upholds veto against Syngenta purchase of seed producer

Rome | Reuters — An Italian administrative court ruled that a government veto of the purchase of seed producer Verisem by Chinese-owned Syngenta was valid, the agrochemicals giant said on Wednesday. Prime Minister Mario Draghi blocked the proposed takeover in October, the second time he used the special “golden power” rules to ward off an […] Read more


Erebus Xtreme is sprayed on a spring wheat field during a 2021 field trial in Balcarres, Sask.

Syngenta releases new grass and broadleaf cereal herbicide

Farmers can address herbicide resistance concerns and avoid rotational crop restrictions with Erebus Xtreme

For Prairie farmers battling problem weeds, herbicide-resistant wild oats are one of the worst as they’re now found throughout Western Canada. One of the best ways to combat herbicide resistance is to rotate active ingredients, which is why Syngenta has introduced Erebus Xtreme, a new cross-spectrum herbicide aimed at helping cereal growers control herbicide-resistant wild […] Read more

Montecitorio, house of italian parliament, Rome. Italy.  Photo: masterlu/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Italy vetoes sale of seed producer to Chinese-owned Syngenta

Rome | Reuters – Italy has prevented Chinese-owned group Syngenta from buying vegetable seed producer Verisem, government officials said, underscoring Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s commitment to shield key assets from unwanted foreign bids. The decision, made at a cabinet meeting on Oct. 19 but not yet made public, marks the first time Italy has vetoed […] Read more


Syngenta’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo courtesy Syngenta)

Syngenta’s Shanghai IPO to fund growth, acquisitions

Hong Kong/Zurich | Reuters — Syngenta Group will use the proceeds from its US$10 billion initial public offering (IPO) to fund internal growth and an acquisition spree to snare more of the $100 billion market for seeds and sprays, the agrichemical giant said on Friday. The company’s prospectus to list on Shanghai’s Nasdaq-style STAR Market […] Read more

Rebate roundup 2021

Rebate roundup 2021

Program details to maximize your input dollars and put cash back in your pocket

Once again, it’s time for the Grainews annual rebate roundup. While rebate programs aren’t the main factor in decision-making for the crop protection process, producers need to know their options. Without further ado, and in alphabetical order, here’s our annual roundup of available rebates in Western Canada for the 2021 growing season. BASF The 2021 […] Read more



Syngenta’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo courtesy Syngenta)

Syngenta says IPO ‘on track’

Ag chem firm books higher first-half profit

Zurich | Reuters — Agricultural chemical maker Syngenta posted higher first-half profit and sales on Thursday, helped by maintaining supplies to farmers and controlling costs during the coronavirus outbreak, and said it was on track to complete its public listing by mid-2022. The Swiss company, bought by state-owned ChemChina for $43 billion in 2017, posted […] Read more