Agco plans to have its IdealDrive joysticks in North American fields in 2021. (Photo courtesy Agco)

Fendt takes (out) the wheel on new combines

Agco says it's first of majors to offer joystick steering

Agco has officially declared itself to be the first major farm equipment player to put joystick steering in a combine. The ag equipment manufacturer unveiled IdealDrive on Thursday during the Commodity Classic in San Antonio, billing the new steering system for its Fendt Ideal combines as “the first joystick steering system on a combine from […] Read more

Wendy’s Canada said its new pea-based Plantiful “ensures flexitarians have a protein alternative that is full of taste.” (CNW Group/Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada photo)

Wendy’s launches Canadian-made plant-based burger

Pea protein patty developed 'in-house,' company says

Burger chain Wendy’s has set out to meet what it says is now an “expectation” in the Canadian quick-service dining sector, with a new pulse crop-based burger. The U.S. chain’s Canadian arm on Thursday announced it has launched a plant-based burger it calls the Plantiful at its 380-plus Canadian stores, using a patty it described […] Read more


An idle CN train is parked next to an empty Via Rail commuter station at Trenton, Ont. on Feb. 25, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Chris Helgren)

CN starts calling back laid-off employees

"Network recovery... will take several weeks"

Montreal | Reuters — Canadian National Railway has started calling back many of the 450 workers it laid off earlier this month in Eastern Canada, when blockades crippled operations on strategic rail lines, according to a company email sent to customers Friday. Earlier this week, police made 10 arrests and cleared a blockade in eastern […] Read more

The first CN train passes through the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory on Feb. 24, 2020 after a camp next to the tracks was raided by police earlier in the day. (Photo: Reuters/Chris Helgren)

Protestors put up new rail, road barricades in wake of arrests

Ottawa/Toronto | Reuters — Protesters in Canada blocked train lines, Vancouver’s port entrance and at least one highway on Tuesday in response to the arrest of 10 indigenous activists when police dismantled a rail barricade in southern Ontario a day earlier. Ontario Provincial Police on Monday arrested some of the Tyendinaga Mohawk campaigners who had […] Read more


David Kayi, a Hello Tractor engineer, installs an application on a John Deere 5503 tractor, using the Hello Tractor technology that connects farmers with vehicles’ owners, at a hay farm at Umande village in Nanyuki, Kenya on Feb. 4, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Njeri Mwangi)

Deere taps tractor-hailing tech in bid to break ground in Africa

Low incomes, lack of credit hobble African mechanization

Nanyuki, Kenya/Johannesburg | Reuters — It’s ride-hailing, farm style. Deere and Co. is teaming up with the “Uber of tractors” in Africa and betting on a future where farmers summon machines with the touch of a button. The world’s leading farm equipment maker is outfitting its tractors with startup Hello Tractor’s technology, which allows farmers […] Read more

Cargill’s existing protein ingredient lines include Prosante textured soy flour (TSF), which is already used in plant-based ground beef substitutes. (Cargill.com)

Cargill to enter faux-meat market

Major processor/packer expanding plant-based protein product line

U.S. agrifood giant Cargill is set to bring its crop supply chain further into its proteins business via a new line of plant-based patty and ground products for the retail and foodservice sectors. Already a major player in meat protein, with assets including two major Canadian packing plants processing up to 6,000 head of cattle […] Read more


Four men walk along rail tracks near a blockade at Tyendinaga, Ont., east of Belleville, on Feb. 22, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Carlos Osorio)

OPP clear rail blockade, arrest 10

No word yet on when CN service through area will resume

Tyendinaga, Ont. | Reuters — Ontario Provincial Police on Monday made 10 arrests and cleared a rail blockade that had been stopping freight and passenger traffic for almost three weeks on one of the country’s busiest lines. OPP secured the area just east of Belleville, Ont., Canadian National Railway Co (CN) said, and CN technicians […] Read more

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to media, flanked by (l-r) Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett and Transport Minister Marc Garneau in Ottawa on Feb. 21, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Patrick Doyle)

Trudeau demands rail blockades be lifted

Canadians' patience running out, PM says

Ottawa | Reuters — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday demanded aboriginal protesters lift rail blockades that are hurting the economy and made clear police should, if necessary, enforce injunctions to remove the obstacles. Trudeau also told a news conference that the Liberal government’s talks with various indigenous leaders over the last two weeks […] Read more


The Canadian Grain Commission building on Main Street in Winnipeg. (File photo)

Grain Commission’s chief announces retirement

AAFC's review of Grain Act, and of CGC's future, continues

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is seeking a new chief commissioner. Patti Miller, who has held the position for three years, announced Tuesday to CGC staff that she will retire June 26. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) “will be launching an open, transparent and merit-based process to find a new commissioner as soon as possible,” […] Read more

(PrecisionLandSolutions.com)

Tile drainpipe supplier AccuPipe changes hands

Pipe manufacturer back with previous Manitoba owner

Winkler drain tile manufacturer AccuPipe is back with its previous owners after a six-year stint under U.S. management. Precision Land Solutions (PLS) announced Friday it has bought the AccuPipe business — which makes HDPE tubing for the farm, commercial and construction tile drainage markets — from Minnesota-based manufacturer Prinsco for an undisclosed sum. AccuPipe had […] Read more