Reuters — A consortium of farmer organizations and agriculture data technology providers on Thursday published a set of data privacy and security principles aimed at reassuring farmers that data they share with Big Data services providers will not be misused. The non-binding principles are also meant to provide companies that collect, store and analyze farmer […] Read more
Farm groups, ag tech companies agree on data privacy standards
U.S. grains: Soybeans rally on robust export sales, technical buying
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rallied more than three per cent to a five-week high on Thursday on robust export demand and tight cash market supplies, with late-session technical buying adding to gains. Corn futures gained nearly two per cent and wheat climbed to a 1-1/2 month high on spillover strength from soybeans. […] Read more
All major U.S. railroads must report service stats
Reuters — The top U.S. rail regulator ruled on Wednesday that all Class 1 railroads operating in the United States must provide detailed weekly freight service reports, a decision that cited months of congestion that have hit the grain and power industries particularly hard. Carriers must submit detailed data on average train speeds, dwell times […] Read more
Cargill reports lower Q1 profit amid slumping grain markets
Chicago | Reuters — Cargill, a top global commodities trader, said Tuesday its quarterly earnings fell as global grain and oilseed prices tumbled in anticipation of a record-large U.S. harvest and as turmoil in some countries impacted its operations. Minneapolis-based Cargill noted its fiscal first quarter ended Aug. 31 was “marked by a great deal […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat sinks as dollar rises
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures plunged more than one per cent on Thursday to a four-year low on fears that a rising dollar could hamper global demand for U.S. exports as global supplies rise to a record high. Corn and soybeans dropped about one per cent on spillover pressure from sinking wheat and […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, soybeans, wheat bounce from four-year lows
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures prices jumped nearly one per cent on Wednesday as a recent plunge to four-year lows encouraged investors to cover short positions, after lower prices sparked improved export demand. Corn and soybean futures also ticked higher in a short-covering bounce from four-year lows, though good weather speeding the harvest […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, soybeans sink to four-year lows as harvest advances
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures fell to four-year lows on Tuesday as mild and mostly dry weather across the U.S. Midwest is expected to boost the harvest of record crops. Wheat fell in tandem with retreating corn and soy, anchored by plentiful global supplies and strong competition for export business. Chicago […] Read more
Cargill suing Syngenta over sale of GM corn banned by China
Chicago | Reuters — Cargill, the top U.S. grain exporter, sued a unit of Syngenta in a Louisiana state court on Friday for damages stemming from China’s rejection of genetically modified U.S. corn, which Cargill said cost the company more than US$90 million. Minnesota-based Cargill accuses Syngenta of exposing the grain trader to losses by […] Read more
Wal-Mart joins U.S. crop-tour fever seeking food chain edge
Chicago | Reuters — Retail giant Wal-Mart joined a group of volunteers counting corn ears and soybean pods in fields in the U.S. recently in a clear sign traditional crop tours are expanding their appeal from farmers and traders to all those with a stake in the U.S. food chain. These annual trips to gather […] Read more
Cargill Q4 profit falls on exchange rate loss
Reuters — Top global commodities trader Cargill said Thursday its quarterly earnings fell as drought limited farm services opportunities in the U.S. and due to a loss stemming from the drop in the value of Venezuela’s currency. Minneapolis-based Cargill was also stung by elevated rail shipping costs and railcar shortages in the northern U.S. Plains […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
