Paris | Reuters — Louis Dreyfus is seeking partners for some of its businesses to help the commodity trading group to weather a market downturn that hit full-year profits. Lower prices, plentiful supply and faltering economic growth in emerging economies have put pressure on commodity traders such as Louis Dreyfus that collect, export and process […] Read more
Louis Dreyfus reports lower profits, seeks partners
General Mills to label GMOs in U.S. products
Reuters — General Mills on Friday said it would begin putting labels on its products that contain genetically engineered ingredients, a move that comes days after U.S. senators failed to advance legislation aimed at blocking Vermont from requiring such labels on July 1. U.S. consumer are calling for greater transparency around food production and sourcing, […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat closes higher on short-covering
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures edged higher on Friday, snapping a three-day losing streak on some end-of-week short-covering, traders said. Soybean futures were mixed, with the most-active contract easing after hitting a 3-1/2-month peak overnight. Deferred contracts ended slightly higher, supported by recent gains in Brazil’s currency that raised hopes of increased export […] Read more
France moves toward all-out ban on neonics
Paris | Reuters — French lawmakers approved plans for a total ban on some widely used pesticides blamed for harming bees, going beyond European Union restrictions in a fierce debate that has pitched farmers and chemical firms against beekeepers and green groups. The EU limited the use of neonicotinoid chemicals, produced by companies including Bayer […] Read more
Foreign worker break for seafood sector a ‘one-time’ deal
Winnipeg | Reuters –– Canada’s move to loosen restrictions on hiring foreign workers for East Coast seafood plants was a one-time decision, and the government is not convinced other sectors need similar measures, the country’s employment minister said Thursday. The Liberal government eased restrictions under its foreign worker program recently for Atlantic seafood processors, allowing […] Read more
Corn acres seen rising in Manitoba
CNS Canada — Corn prices in Manitoba may not be setting any records these days but they’re still likely high enough to spur an increase in the amount of corn planted this year, according to an industry watcher. “I would not all be surprised to see a 20 per cent increase. The value of corn […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat falls as weather improves
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures fell on Thursday to their lowest in nearly two weeks, turning lower after a weather forecast predicted that temperatures in the U.S. Plains will not be as cold as previously thought, traders said. Soybeans closed firmer, supported by weakness in the dollar that investors hoped would spur export […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Trade now watching weather
CNS Canada — Soybean and corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade have posted solid gains over the past two weeks, but the rally may run out of steam while attention in the markets shifts to spring weather patterns. “We’ve had a very strong rally since late February,” said Rich Feltes, vice-president of research […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat falls on poor exports
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures fell for the second straight day on Wednesday on pressure from light export demand and some easing concerns about weather damage to the developing U.S. crop, traders said. Corn futures eased on some mild technical sales while soybeans closed in positive territory, turning higher late […] Read more
U.S. Senate blocks bill that would override state GMO labeling laws
Reuters — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday blocked a bill that would nullify state and local efforts to require food makers to label products made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as the industry races to stop Vermont’s law from taking effect on July 1. The proposed legislation from Republican Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas comes […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
