CNS Canada — Oats futures at the Chicago Board of Trade have been creeping higher, which a U.S.-based analyst attributes to increasing demand for minor feed grains. Data from Canada and the U.S. project oat yields to increase from last year, which are capping gains, but at the same time, the demand picture has improved. […] Read more

Stronger demand for minor feeds reflected in oats futures

Running rights on table in CP bid for Norfolk Southern
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) says it hopes to unclog one of the most infamous rail traffic bottlenecks in the U.S. with a bid to buy railway Norfolk Southern. Confirming a recent news report on its plans, CP announced Tuesday it has sent an offer letter to Virginia-based NS. The Calgary company didn’t disclose any financial […] Read more

EU scientists say glyphosate unlikely to cause cancer
Brussels | Reuters — Glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer in humans, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which nevertheless proposed limits on Thursday on the amount of residue of the herbicide widely used by farmers deemed safe to consume. The EFSA advises EU policymakers and its conclusion could lead the 28-member European […] Read more

CP said exploring Norfolk Southern takeover
Reuters — Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) is looking to acquire U.S. peer Norfolk Southern, business news service Bloomberg reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Canada’s second-largest railroad operator has already raised financing and held early-stage merger talks with Norfolk Southern, Bloomberg reported, citing two of the people. Freight carried by major U.S. railroads […] Read more

Agrium bucks fertilizer sector trend with Q3 profit
Reuters — Canadian fertilizer and farm retail dealer Agrium on Thursday reported quarterly profit jumped nearly nine per cent, as higher sales volumes and lower costs helped it buck the sector’s trend of weaker earnings. Weaker currencies in fertilizer-buying markets such as Brazil and India are weighing down prices, leading rivals PotashCorp and Mosaic Co. […] Read more

Crunch time for Manitoba producers to fertilize
CNS Canada — The clock is ticking for Manitoba producers who wish to lay down nitrogen or phosphorous on their fields. Wet conditions in many parts of the province are making it tough for farmers to get their machines onto fields, according to Dan Mazier, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers. “We just drove from Winnipeg […] Read more

Cereals North America: Communication key to improved grain transportation
Winnipeg | CNS Canada –– Canada’s grain transportation system is running relatively smoothly for the time being, but there is still plenty of room for improvement — and better communication between participants is seen as a way to alleviate future bottlenecks. The 2013-14 crop year, with its logistical challenges and, eventually, federal government intervention, are […] Read more

Cereals North America: Shift to La Nina may hurt yields
Winnipeg | CNS Canada –– El Nino weather patterns are typically beneficial to North American grain yields, but cut into the production prospects of key Eastern Hemisphere demand markets, according to presenters at this week’s Cereals North America conference. However, an expected shift toward La Nina conditions by late 2016 could see North American grain yields […] Read more

Hi-Pro Feeds strikes deal to buy Champion Feed Services
Hi-Pro will acquire Champion’s three Alberta feed mills and its oat-processing facility in Grande Prairie
Reading Time: < 1 minute Hi-Pro Feeds has acquired Champion Feed Services Ltd., a group of companies including feed mills, stores and an oat-processing facility located in northern Alberta. “This extends our business into a broader market, creating a vast network across the entire province of Alberta,” said Daren Kennett, founder of Hi-Pro Feeds. Champion Feed Services operates feed-manufacturing facilities […] Read more

More grain revenue on less grain in CN’s Q3 ledger
Lower grain traffic compared to last year’s record crop year hasn’t translated to lower third-quarter grain revenue for Canadian National Railway (CN). Montreal-based CN on Tuesday booked overall net income of $1.007 billion on $3.222 billion in gross revenue for its third quarter (Q3) ending Sept. 30, up from $853 million on $3.118 billion in […] Read more