Reuters — Global agricultural commodities trader Bunge said continued conflict in Ukraine and stinging sanctions on Russia could have an “adverse effect” on its operations in the breadbasket region. Bunge and rival agribusinesses ADM and Cargill suspended operations in Ukraine last week after Russia invaded its neighbour. But none have stopped their business in Russia […] Read more

Bunge says sanctions may have ‘adverse effect’ on Russian operations

Canada shuts ports to Russian ships over Ukraine invasion
Russian firms' Canadian holdings also under scrutiny, Freeland warns
Toronto | Reuters — Canada ratcheted up pressure on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine by shutting ports to Russian-owned ships and saying on Tuesday that holdings of all Russian oligarchs and companies in the country are under review. Canada has announced a slew of measures to isolate Russia, including imposing sanctions on Russian President […] Read more

Forecasting the future: What crop will be king in the coming year?
Oats is being touted as the profitability champion, but canola’s reign also looks set to continue
Reading Time: 4 minutes Scott Keller is pretty impressed with the latest crop profitability outlook from Manitoba’s Ag Department — but he’s not buying its prediction that oats will be this year’s No. 1 money-maker. Canola is still king and its reign isn’t going to end any time soon, said the grain farmer from New Norway. “Nothing will even […] Read more

Ukraine shuts ports as conflict threatens grain supplies
Moscow/Kyiv | Reuters — Ukraine’s military has suspended commercial shipping at its ports after Russian forces invaded the country, an adviser to the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff said, stoking fear of supply disruption from leading grain and oilseeds exporters. Russia earlier ordered the Azov Sea closed to the movement of commercial vessels until further […] Read more

Saskatchewan forage rainfall insurance to adjust for hot spells
SCIC also expanding crop roster for contract price option
Saskatchewan forage and corn growers whose crops are insured against below-normal rainfall can expect a beneficial bump starting this year if those crops get cooked in high heat. The Saskatchewan and federal governments on Tuesday announced details for their 2022 crop insurance program — under which average coverage is expected to reach $405 per acre, […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Four factors to consider before going with peas
MarketsFarm — There are four factors to consider before deciding whether to plant dry peas this spring, according to Darryl Domitruk, executive director of Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers at Carman, Man. The first is field selection, as peas need to be planted with less residuals such as nitrates, Domitruk said. “Pulses manufacture their own […] Read more

Calgary protein ingredient maker already set to expand
Lovingly Made Ingredients expansion means more sales for Alberta farmers growing peas and other crops
Reading Time: 4 minutes The plant-protein boom is starting to pay dividends for Alberta growers. Less than a year after opening its doors, the province’s biggest plant-protein processor is already eyeing an expansion of its Calgary facility. “We have a piece of technology in Europe that we’re looking to bring to Alberta this year, and that would give us […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Chickpea prices lower but still very good
MarketsFarm — Although prices for chickpeas have pulled back somewhat over the last month, Colin Young of Midwest Grain at Moose Jaw, Sask. emphasized the market has not turned bad in any manner. “It’s just the level of expectation we had, given the rise in prices of other commodities. Given that we were out there […] Read more

CP conductors, engineers taking strike vote
Teamster-led workers' deal expired at end of 2021
Unionized conductors, engineers, trainmen and yardmen for Canadian Pacific Railway are getting their ballots for a strike vote this month, as contract talks have again wound up in dispute. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), which represents about 3,000 CP employees in those categories, said strike ballots were being distributed to members starting Feb. 1, […] Read more

A sign of spring: New Blue Book is now on sale
Reading Time: < 1 minute The 2022 edition of the Blue Book is now on sale. Alberta’s wheat, barley, canola and pulse commissions, which took over the popular publication last year from the provincial Ag Ministry, are adding new features. “Along with annual updates to crop protection products and information, enhancements to the 2021 Blue Book included a revised sprayer […] Read more