WITHDRAWN, April 15, 2016: A historian’s review of the Prairie grain trade, commissioned by supporters of the former single marketing desk for wheat and barley, suggests history is repeating itself at grain growers’ expense — but the data on which the review is based is now being questioned. The Canadian Wheat Board Alliance on Wednesday released a […] Read more
Post-CWB review flags grain trade ‘inefficiency’
Prairie farmers look to increase tech use, but face obstacles
CNS Canada — As spring approaches, some producers are searching for new technology to integrate into their operations — while others have opted out of the ag tech sector, whether by choice or through a lack of accessibility. “Even two years ago, it was way worse out there in terms of apps, in terms of […] Read more
CP scraps plans to buy Norfolk Southern
Reuters — Canadian Pacific Railway said on Monday it had scrapped efforts to buy Norfolk Southern, almost six months after it launched its unsolicited US$28 billion bid for the fourth-largest U.S. railroad operator. The announcement comes days after the U.S. Justice Department urged the Surface Transportation Board to reject a voting trust arrangement CP had […] Read more
U.S. Justice Dept. urges rejection of CP voting trust
Reuters — The U.S. Justice Department on Friday urged a regulator to reject a voting trust Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) has proposed as part of its takeover bid for U.S. railway Norfolk Southern, saying it could hurt competition and would violate rules. In mid-November, CP disclosed a $28 billion offer for the Virginia-based company, which […] Read more
Monsanto cools on large-scale M+A outlook
Chicago | Reuters –– Monsanto on Wednesday effectively pulled itself out of the mergers-and-acquisitions flurry in the seeds and agrochemicals industry, nearly a year after making a bid for rival Syngenta. The St. Louis-based company, which also reported a drop in second-quarter earnings, now sees its best dealmaking opportunities in smaller acquisitions, licensing deals and […] Read more
Glencore sells 40 per cent of agribusiness to CPP
London | Reuters –– Commodity miner and trader Glencore has agreed to sell 40 per cent of its agricultural unit to Canada’s state pension fund for US$2.5 billion, the company’s latest step to cut debt and soothe investor concerns about the impact of weak commodity prices. The sale values the agricultural unit as a whole […] Read more
CPP reported in talks for stake in Glencore agribusiness
Reuters — Commodity trading and mining firm Glencore is in advanced talks to sell a stake in its agricultural business to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The CPPIB would take a stake of up to 40 per cent, valuing the business at […] Read more
ConAgra, Kellogg, Mars to label for GMOs in U.S.
Reuters — ConAgra Foods has joined other food giants in plans to use labels that disclose the presence of genetically modified organisms or GMOs in its food throughout the U.S. ConAgra and other food companies such as Campbell Soup and General Mills have decided to use such labels nationwide, finding it to be the easiest way […] Read more
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
Federal rules arrive on halal food claims
Any food marketed in Canada as certified halal in its labeling or ads will have to include the name of its halal certifying body, starting next month. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Wednesday the two-year grace period it launched in 2014 for halal labelling and advertising requirements will end April 4. Past that […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
