Ottawa | Reuters — Canadian farmers planted slightly more wheat overall in 2020 than in 2019, but the coronavirus outbreak will pose “unique challenges” in the production and distribution of crops, Statistics Canada said on Monday. Farmers planted 25 million acres of wheat, up 1.5 per cent from 2019, thanks in part to a 16.2 […] Read more
StatsCan survey shows bump up in wheat acres, particularly durum
Farmers back off canola, soybeans; pandemic expected to cause other problems for ag
Canola area expected to be lower in Monday’s StatsCan report
Later-seeded areas expected to add pulse, barley, durum acres
MarketsFarm — Market participants generally expect canola acreage will be revised downward in a second acreage estimate due out Monday from Statistics Canada. “There’s a lot of uncertainty about canola acres,” Ken Ball of P.I. International in Winnipeg said, noting acreage was “definitely lost” in central and northern Alberta due to wet spring conditions. In […] Read more
Help wanted: CGC seeks new leadership
Two top slots are open at the federal agency
If you want to be a Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) commissioner, or chief commissioner, now’s your chance. The Canadian government is advertising both positions on the CGC’s website and Twitter. Applicants must apply online for the positions, which are cabinet appointments. The deadline is Tuesday (June 30). The jobs involve lots of travel in and […] Read more
New declaration requirements coming up for grain deliveries
Regulatory changes also allow Canadian grades for U.S.-grown grain
Changes are afoot as early as next week for growers from all across Canada — and from the United States — who deliver grain to licensed Canadian buyers, as revised trade rules take effect between the two countries. With the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the successor trade deal to NAFTA, taking effect, new regulations addressing […] Read more
U.S. settlements not expected to change availability, labels for glyphosate, dicamba
Bayer to pay up to US$12 billion to resolve ag chem, PCB claims; company is "not contemplating" a Canadian glyphosate settlement
Updated, June 25 — Farmers in Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere shouldn’t expect any changes to availability or label directions for Bayer’s stable of glyphosate and dicamba herbicides, coming out of a massive settlement for thousands of lawsuits, the company says. The German company announced Wednesday it expects to spend up to $12 billion in […] Read more
CN sees eastern network revival on supply chain diversity, ports
Montreal | Reuters — Canadian National Railway, the country’s biggest railroad, is banking on growth in consumer products and supply-chain diversification in Asia, to revive traffic on its underutilized eastern Canadian rail lines, the company’s CEO told Reuters Friday. Coronavirus, which hit China’s industrial production, along with U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, are further leading […] Read more
National seeds sector groups put merger plan to vote
New organization, if approved, would be called Seeds Canada
Members of five national seed sector organizations are set to vote this summer on their proposed amalgamation under a single banner, Seeds Canada. A “detailed ratification package” has gone out to members of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA), Canadian Seed Institute (CSI), Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA), Canadian Plant Technology Agency (CPTA) and Commercial […] Read more
Louis Dreyfus adds venture capital unit
New unit's potential budget not yet discussed publicly
Paris | Reuters — Agricultural commodities trader Louis Dreyfus Co. has launched a venture capital program to invest in food and farming firms while also announcing a change of head for its innovation business. “Over the coming months, we will invest in early-stage companies with the potential to transform the food and agriculture industries,” CEO […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Pandemic may pose market opportunity
MarketsFarm — Plant protein products were steadily rising in popularity before the COVID-19 pandemic set in — but that industry could also get a boost from consumers shifting away from meat in a post-pandemic world. “There’s an increased level of awareness of hygiene issues in the meat industry,” Vishal Vijay, head of business development at […] Read more
AFSC creates ‘salvage grade’ for spring-harvested crops
Reading Time: < 1 minute Agriculture Financial Services Corporation has created a ‘salvage’ grade factor for 2019 crops harvested this spring. The grade was created following a survey of buyers to determine a range of prices at which crops are trading. If the grain is of lower quality than normal grade factors account for, the salvage factor provides an assessment […] Read more
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