A southwestern Ontario construction and design firm specializing in ag buildings has struck a partnership with a major milking equipment supplier to offer a full-service dairy barn package. Post Farm Structures, based at Alma, Ont., and Dutch dairy equipment and robotics firm Lely on Thursday announced the launch of Integrated Agritect, a partnership offering custom-designed […] Read more
Robot milker firm, Ont. builder partner on dairy barns
ADM to shut North Dakota ethanol plant in April
Archer Daniels Midland on Monday said it will close a North Dakota ethanol plant near the Manitoba border, marking the first such closure for the agribusiness giant that last month announced the elimination of 1,000 jobs. The facility at Walhalla, N.D., about 30 km south of Winkler, Man., will permanently close in April, resulting in […] Read more
Ont. grain growers, ethanol lobby rip critical report
A study painting a bleak picture for Canada’s livestock sector under a continued regime of ethanol subsidies and government incentives has drawn blowback from Ontario’s grain growers and the voice of the biofuel industry. The study, commissioned by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian Pork Council and Canadian Meat Council and authored by the George Morris […] Read more
Higher ethanol blends would hit livestock sector: study
Policies designed to cut Canada’s emissions from fossil fuels have instead made the ethanol industry a "subsidized competitor" against the livestock sector, according to a new study from a well-known ag think tank. The George Morris Centre at Guelph, Ont. on Tuesday released a report by senior market analyst Kevin Grier, senior research associate Al […] Read more
Grain revenue jumps in CP’s Q4
A jump in revenue from slightly higher grain traffic in the last three months of 2011 helped bolster a beleaguered Canadian Pacific Railway in its fourth fiscal quarter (Q4). CP on Thursday booked net income of $221 million on total revenues of $1.408 billion for its quarter ending Dec. 31, up from $186 million on […] Read more
Deere to take MacDon windrowers global
Farm equipment maker MacDon Industries will be the manufacturer for several lines of self-propelled windrowers and mower conditioners to be sold worldwide under John Deere paint. U.S.-based ag and heavy equipment giant Deere and Co. announced a "strategic agreement" Friday with Winnipeg-based MacDon, allowing Deere to expand its hay and forage product portfolio globally. More […] Read more
Certification hearing set for farmer suit against CN, CP
A proposed class action suit against Canada’s two major railways over grain freight rates is due Feb. 1 in a Calgary courtroom, where it will be decided whether the suit can proceed on all Prairie farmers’ behalf. In a letter Monday to potential "class" members, Regina lawyer Tony Merchant said the certification hearing in Alberta […] Read more
Grain, fertilizer traffic add to record gross for CN
Increased revenue from grain and fertilizer handling helped boost Canadian National Railway to record gross revenues in both its fourth quarter and fiscal 2011. CN on Tuesday reported $2.457 billion in total net income on record revenues of $9.028 billion for fiscal 2011, up from $2.104 billion profit on $8.297 billion in fiscal 2010. Profit […] Read more
Stakeholder names slate to run for CP’s board
A New York investment firm calling for new management at Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) has named a slate of nominees to run for the railway’s board in May. CP shareholder Pershing Square Capital Management has named its own CEO Bill Ackman; one of its partners, Paul Hilal; and three Canadian businesspeople to run in director […] Read more
Ont. farmers urge halt to wind turbine development
Claiming an “untenable” and polarizing debate in rural Ontario over an inefficient power source, the province’s general farm organization now wants to see an end to industrial-scale wind turbine development. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) on Friday rolled out its new position statement on the issue and plans to present it to the provincial […] Read more
