Reading Time: 3 minutes The politics of pulses haven’t reached White House levels yet, but the unassuming legumes are generating headlines like never before. The latest ones include another hike in India’s tariffs, a pledge to resolve a long-running dispute over fumigation, and a new attempt to shield Indian farmers from falling prices. Justin Trudeau appeared to have ended […] Read more
Troubled pulse trade generating lots of headlines
Tariffs, fumigation, and prime minister’s India trip have put the crop into the media spotlight
CN apologizes as farm groups, Ottawa press on rail service
Canada’s largest railway has taken the unusual step of apologizing for its pace of grain delivery in recent weeks and pledging “immediate steps” to improve its grain handle. After parting ways with its CEO Luc Jobin on Monday, Canadian National Railway (CN), through interim CEO Jean-Jacques Ruest, said Wednesday it “apologize(s) for not meeting the […] Read more
CN CEO Luc Jobin steps down abruptly
Reuters — Canadian National Railway (CN) CEO Luc Jobin stepped down abruptly on Monday, as the board looks to “energize” the railroad’s leadership amid a major supply crunch that has hurt profits and angered customers. “The board believes the company needs a leader who will energize the team, realize CN’s corporate vision and take the […] Read more
Farmers seek ‘urgent’ action from Senate on rail service
Groups representing Canadian grain growers touched down in Ottawa Thursday to urge quick passage of legislation to avoid a sequel to the grain handling logjam of 2013-14. Representatives from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Grain Growers of Canada, Keystone Agricultural Producers, Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, Alberta Federation of Agriculture and B.C. Agriculture Council went […] Read more
India hikes chickpea duty again
CNS Canada — The Indian government has raised its import tariff for chickpeas for a second time, this time from 40 per cent to 60 per cent. The government said Thursday in the Gazette of India its tariff is to be imposed immediately, due to circumstances which make it necessary to take immediate action. Reuters […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Chickpeas a bright spot
CNS Canada — Western Canadian farmers may be set to plant fewer lentil and pea acres this spring, but chickpeas are looking to be one pulse crop that stands out. “Acres are definitely going to increase significantly,” said Colin Young of Midwest Grain at Moose Jaw. He expected to see a doubling in area from […] Read more
India to double state purchases of oilseeds, pulses
New Delhi | Reuters — India’s cabinet approved on Wednesday doubling state purchases of oilseeds and pulses from farmers, in a bid to boost local output and prevent distressed sales. The amount that state agencies guarantee to buy at pre-set prices will double to 190 billion rupees (C$3.7 billion) for a five-year period ending in […] Read more
Tepid rail service cripples farmer deliveries on Prairies
CNS Canada — Prairie farmers are struggling to generate cash flow for their operations due to the lack of rail cars that are available to pick up their grain. “Spring is coming up, farmers need cash flow and we don’t get cash flow if your grain is sitting in a bin waiting for a train […] Read more
Spring outlook cooler for Prairies, warmer for Ontario
Growers in parts of Ontario may get an early start on planting this spring, while Prairie fields may see lingering snow and later-than-average last frosts. WeatherFarm’s spring forecast, powered by U.S.-based DTN Progressive Farmer, projects a cold start to the spring as likely for the western half of Canada, reversing the milder conditions shown over […] Read more
Dow, DuPont pick new married name for agribusiness
Dow Chemical and DuPont’s combined agriculture chemical and seed businesses will take a new name when they spin off from the merged parent firm next summer. DowDuPont announced Monday the agribusiness, which will include DuPont Crop Protection, DuPont Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences, will rebrand as Corteva Agriscience after its spinoff, expected by June 1 next […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
