London | Reuters — A group of chemical insecticides known as neonicotinoids that have been banned in Europe due to fears about potential harm to bees have been found in new research to have very differential risks for bumblebees. Scientists who conducted the research said their findings showed that at least one neonicotinoid in the […] Read more
In risks to bees, study finds not all neonics equal
Canada may delay foreign worker limits as packers, farms face squeeze
Winnipeg | Reuters — Canada may delay implementing new restrictions on the use of foreign workers as farmers and meat processors warn of severe labour shortages in one of the world’s biggest agricultural exporters, the employment minister said. Employers have reported difficulty finding workers despite a 7.1 per cent unemployment rate. Many Canadians resist jobs […] Read more
Kazakhstan land protests widen in challenge to leader
Almaty | Reuters — Hundreds of people staged street protests in two cities in Kazakhstan on Wednesday over land reform, Kazakh media and local activists reported, a rare act of defiance that could pose a challenge to the leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The protests, a continuation of demonstrations that began on Sunday, were sparked […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Corn, soy set for profit-taking pressure
CNS Canada — Soybeans and corn at the Chicago Board of Trade have seen weather-related support from traders in previous sessions, but one U.S. analyst expects prices to move lower with profit-taking. Soybeans — “We’re finally getting some weather stories here,” said John Weyer, director of Walsh Trading’s commercial hedging division. Heavy rainfall and flooding […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat, corn fall; soybeans settle higher
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. corn and wheat futures fell on Wednesday, setting back from two days of gains on profit taking as speculators locked in gains on recent short-covering rallies, traders said. “The funds have gotten heavy long up here,” said Mark Gold, managing partner with Top Third Ag Marketing in Chicago. “This is […] Read more
Farms.com buys Better Farming
A U.S. online agriculture firm has taken another step into paper and ink with a deal for independent Ontario ag journal Better Farming. Ames, Iowa-based Farms.com announced last week it has taken a majority stake in Better Farming publisher Ag Media Inc. for an undisclosed sum. Ag Media was formed in 1999 by ex-employees of […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, soybeans, wheat rally for second day in a row
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. soybean and corn futures firmed on Tuesday, their second straight day of gains, on expectations the pace of planting will slow in coming days due to wetter weather. “Tractors could stall quickly as more rains move into the Midwest this week,” Farm Futures senior grain market analyst Bryce Knorr said […] Read more
DuPont expects U.S. review of Dow deal to end by June 30
Reuters — DuPont said Tuesday it expected the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s review of its proposed merger with Dow Chemical to be completed by the end of June. The two chemical companies agreed to combine in an all-stock merger in December, valued at US$130 billion at the time, in a first step towards breaking […] Read more
Klassen: Limited buying interest softens feeder market
Just when I thought feeder cattle prices were stabilizing, once again the unexpected occurs. A sharp rally in U.S. grain futures, along with weaker fed cattle prices, caused western Canadian feeder cattle to trade $6-$12 lower compared to week-ago levels. Auction markets reported limited buying interest, with often only two or three larger feedlots stepping […] Read more
U.S. grains: Rain outlook pushes corn higher
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures rose two per cent on Monday, supported by concerns that rain around the U.S. Midwest could delay planting, traders said. Corn planting has gotten off to a fast start this year, but rains will likely push farmers from the fields. “We are going to be slowing down planting […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
