Reuters — Regional shortages of propane, which is used for heating homes and barns and by farmers to dry their crops, have led to emergency declarations covering nine U.S. Midwest states amid late harvests of soggy grains. Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin declared state emergencies beginning in late October, and continued last Friday to […] Read more

U.S. states declare emergencies to help farmers in propane shortage

U.S. propane bottlenecks not affecting Canada
MarketsFarm — Despite ongoing shortfalls of propane in some areas of the U.S. Midwest, the situation doesn’t appear to be adversely affecting Canada, according to the Canadian Propane Association. The late harvest in the Midwest has been further hampered by wet conditions, forcing farmers to dry their grain before putting it in the bin. As […] Read more
CNH Industrial cuts revenue guidance for second time
Company sticks to earnings per share forecast
Milan | Reuters – Italian-American machinery maker CNH Industrial trimmed its forecast for full-year revenue for a second time this year after lower sales volumes and exchange rate factors weighed on results in the third quarter. CNH Industrial, which makes most of its profit from farming machinery, Iveco commercial vehicles, construction equipment and powertrains, said net sales of […] Read more

Grains, oilseeds not included in Greens’ plans for biofuel
The federal Green Party’s plan to move Canada to zero emissions by 2050 supports the near-term use of plant-based biofuels — “but not from food that could otherwise feed Canadians.” Ahead of Monday’s federal election, the party released a climate action plan dubbed “Mission: Possible” that would ban the use of internal combustion engines in […] Read more

U.S. diesel prices hit three-year low as harvest delays feared
New York | Reuters — Diesel prices in the U.S. Midwest have sunk to a three-year seasonal low as farmers in the region face adverse weather conditions, further complicating an already delayed harvest season, traders and farmers said. Diesel demand typically rises during harvest season because farming equipment and trucks transporting product use the fuel. […] Read more

Deere to lay off 163 U.S. workers as trade war dents demand
Chicago | Reuters — Deere and Co. on Tuesday announced indefinite layoffs for 163 U.S. manufacturing workers at plants in Illinois and Iowa that make agricultural, forestry and construction equipment, citing decreased customer demand. The layoffs come week after the company said it would reduce production by 20 per cent at its facilities in Illinois […] Read more

Pearce: Autonomous platform makes Eastern Canada debut
It’s been dubbed “the future of agriculture” and for the first time, farmers in Eastern Canada had the opportunity to see the Dot A-U1 Power Platform with in-field demonstrations at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. The precision ag system, designed by Dot Technology Corp., attracted considerable attention going through its paces during the annual ag showcase, […] Read more

Canada’s fuel prices to rise after attack in Saudi Arabia
MarketsFarm — Following an attack on two major oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, consumers can expect a small rise in fuel prices in the days to come. The attacks on Saturday hindered the production of about 5.7 million barrels of oil per day. On Monday morning, crude oil prices were up by about 10 per […] Read more

Dutch distributor buys into Manitoba Claas dealerships
Corrected, Sept. 17 — A major Dutch farm equipment distributor is buying into the Manitoba equipment business, with a deal for Hepson Equipment and a partnership stake in GenAg. Royal Reesink announced Friday it has bought a controlling stake in Hepson and has a partnership deal in place with the Kehler family, owners of GenAg. […] Read more

The farm data overload needs a fix
Ag tech event shows future of farming is data driven — but 'we're not there yet'
Reading Time: 5 minutes Jay Bruggencate has a bit of a bone to pick with the ag-tech industry. “We’ve invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into smart equipment that knows what it’s doing but can’t talk to each other,” said the Lacombe-area farmer at the recent AgSmart event at Olds College. “There’s so much data now available to us […] Read more