United Nations | Reuters — The U.N. aid chief said on Monday efforts will continue in coming days to extend a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, a pact Russia has threatened to quit effective Thursday over obstacles to its grain and fertilizer exports. The final two ships are due to […] Read more
U.N. efforts to save Black Sea grain deal to continue in coming days
Russia demands include restarting ammonia pipeline
Federal ‘climate action’ grants are a huge hit with Alberta producers
More than 1,000 applications have flooded in, prompting program administrator to push the pause button
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta farmers love Ottawa’s “climate action” program so much that applications have been paused until late summer. “It’s a pretty lucrative program and people were actually aware of it this year,” said Johanna Murray, extension coordinator with Peace Country Beef and Forage Association. “There were people who didn’t get around to applying last year because […] Read more
Nutrien cuts earnings forecast after quarterly profit misses estimates
High fertilizer prices seen dragging on demand
Reuters — Nutrien Ltd. on Wednesday cut its forecast for 2023 earnings as elevated fertilizer prices owed to Western sanctions on Russia and Belarus weigh on demand. U.S.-listed shares of the company fell 3.9 per cent in extended trading Wednesday as it also reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit. Though fertilizer prices have dipped from record […] Read more
Feds lock in higher interest-free portion on cash advances
Budget boost in effect as of Monday
A further temporary increase to the interest-free chunk of cash advances available to Canadian farmers, as telegraphed in March’s federal budget, has now gone live. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau confirmed Wednesday that the interest-free limit under the Advance Payments Program (APP) for the 2023 program year is now $350,000, effective Monday (May 8). The regulatory […] Read more
Canada will not be intimidated by China retaliation, Trudeau says
China seen as 'more sensitive about food security' now, CAPI says
Ottawa | Reuters — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Canada will not be intimidated by China following tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions by Ottawa and Beijing. Ottawa expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei on Monday over allegations related to foreign interference, and hours later, China asked a Canadian diplomat in Shanghai to leave by Saturday in […] Read more
What beneficial management practices do you use?
Reading Time: < 1 minute The organization that runs the Alberta edition of a federal environmental initiative called Living Labs wants producers to tell it about the beneficial management practices they employ on their farms and ranches. The provincial version of the national program — Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab — was announced last year, with Alberta Beef Producers taking the […] Read more
Farmers being asked to show their 4R bona-fides
A huge number of acres are farmed the 4R way, but fewer than half have the paperwork to prove it, says Fertilizer Canada
Reading Time: 3 minutes Dean Hubbard found the process of getting his 4R designation was pretty easy. The secret? He was already using all the recommended practices for making the most effective use of fertilizer while minimizing environmental impact. “I ran down a checklist and they said I had my 4R designation,” said the Claresholm farmer. “I didn’t even […] Read more
Mosaic misses profit estimates on lower prices of fertilizers
Farmers seen waiting on prices to stabilize
Reuters — Mosaic Co. on Wednesday missed Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit on lower prices of potash and other crop fertilizers, even as the fertilizer maker sold higher volumes. Although prices of fertilizers such as phosphates and potash decreased during the reported quarter, it did not boost demand as farmers waited for pricing trends […] Read more
Russia to keep talking with UN before Black Sea deal deadline
Deal on table for talks Friday in Istanbul
Moscow | Reuters — Russia said on Wednesday that it will keep talking to the United Nations about the future of a deal that allows the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, but would not do anything to harm its own interests. Top UN trade official Rebeca Grynspan is due to travel to Moscow […] Read more
Russian envoy says no breakthrough on grain deal
Ukraine says Moscow blocking ships
Geneva | Reuters — Russia’s envoy to the United Nations in Geneva on Wednesday said “no real progress” had been achieved in resolving issues raised by Moscow over the Black Sea grain deal, which is set to expire next month. Separately, Ukraine accused Russia of blocking the passage of four grain ships from its Black […] Read more