Reuters — Investor backing for agriculture technology startups cooled in the first half of 2016 after record global investment last year, according to industry data released on Monday. Funding from venture capitalists and others totaled US$1.8 billion through the first six months of the year, down 20 per cent from a year earlier, while the number […] Read more
Farm tech investment drops off after record year
North Saskatchewan River users still await all-clear
As the cleanup of the Husky Energy oil spill continues on the North Saskatchewan River, officials had a spot of good news during a recent media call. Collected water samples haven’t exceeded Canadian drinking water standards since July 24. As of Tuesday, over 1,000 water samples had been collected from over 60 locations between the […] Read more
Crescent Point pipeline leaks into Saskatchewan field
Reuters — A Crescent Point Energy pipeline in southwestern Saskatchewan leaked 100 cubic metres (630 barrels) of oil emulsion on Tuesday, a government official said on Wednesday. The spill happened on land near Pennant, about 45 km northwest of Swift Current, and did not affect wildlife or water that bears fish or is used for […] Read more
Most water tests safe after Sask. oil spill, but no all-clear
Reuters — Out of 900 water samples tested from a major Canadian river polluted by an oil spill last month, five exceeded drinking water guidelines, officials said Wednesday, cautioning it was unclear when the river would be safe to drink from again. The July 20 leak from a Husky Energy pipeline into the North Saskatchewan […] Read more
Manitoba threshing bee yields new world record
Owners and operators of antique threshing machines unofficially cracked the world record for a threshing bee at a fundraising event Sunday for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Manitoba Agricultural Museum. The Harvesting Hope event, held at the museum site at Austin, about 45 km west of Portage la Prairie, saw 139 threshing machines run simultaneously […] Read more
Ukraine free trade deal signed, goes to vote
A free trade agreement between Canada and Ukraine that’s expected to benefit Canada’s livestock sectors, among others, goes to the two countries’ parliaments for approval after its signing Monday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland signed the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) Monday in Kyiv. CUFTA negotiations wrapped last July under the […] Read more
CP, Teamsters dispute railway’s staffing obligations
Canadian Pacific Railway is refuting claims from one of its employees’ unions that the company is in “violation of the law” over layoffs of track maintenance staff. Calgary-based CP last month announced temporary layoffs effective June 30 affecting about 500 maintenance-of-way crew positions. On Tuesday it cited “business ebbs and flows associated with global markets […] Read more
Monsanto, Microsoft to invest in ag technology in Brazil
Sao Paulo | Reuters — U.S. biotech company Monsanto and U.S. software and tech firm Microsoft announced on Monday a partnership to invest in agricultural technology startups in Brazil. Monsanto will join a Brazilian investment fund with up to 300 million reais (C$118 million), managed by Microsoft, evaluating ideas for new digital tools to be […] Read more
CP offers assurances for 2016-17 grain handle
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) says it’s ready and willing to move a bumper Prairie crop in 2016-17. “Operationally, CP is eager and prepared to move grain this coming crop year,” company CEO Hunter Harrison said in a letter to federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau. The letter, dated Tuesday, was also circulated to Prairie transportation and […] Read more
CP lays off 500 workers, cites softening demand
CNS Canada — Select maintenance workers at Canadian Pacific Railway will be laid off effective Thursday as the railway’s revenue is expected to plummet in the second quarter. Lower volumes are one reason given for declining profits, though grain movement this crop year is ahead of average. Earlier this month, 500 CP maintenance workers were […] Read more
