Reuters — U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths is in Moscow on Thursday and Friday to discuss clearing the way for exports of grain and other food from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, a U.N. spokesperson said. Griffiths will meet Russian officials days after another senior U.N. official, Rebecca Grynspan, had “constructive” talks in Moscow with Russian […] Read more
U.N. aid chief in Moscow to discuss Ukraine grain exports
Russia says will guarantee grain vessels' safety
U.N. had ‘constructive’ talks in Moscow on Russian grain, fertilizer exports
U.S. could offer 'comfort letters' to shippers, insurers
United Nations | Reuters — A senior U.N. official had “constructive discussions” in Moscow with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov on facilitating Russian grain and fertilizer exports to global markets, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday. The U.N. official, Rebecca Grynspan, is now in Washington for talks on the same issue “with […] Read more
Fertilizer maker Yara says world faces extreme food supply shock
Sanctions cut global fertilizer supply 15 per cent, company says
Davos, Switzerland | Reuters — Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara says donors urgently need to close the U.N.’s $10 billion food programme funding gap to avoid a catastrophe as sanctions on Russian fertilizers and Ukraine’s grain export problems have created an extreme global shock. “The world has realized that food can be a weapon and it […] Read more
Green is good but variable-rate fertilizing needs to pay, say advocates
There’s a bottom-line boost but you’ll need more than a yield map and satellite photos
Reading Time: 4 minutes Variable-rate fertilization features heavily in Ottawa’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But beyond the green factor, does variable rate pay off? Yes, say two longtime users and an agronomist who helps farmers implement the practice. Applying the right amount of the right fertilizer at the right time in the right place — a.k.a. 4R […] Read more
Another way to lower emissions from fertilizers
How do these higher-efficiency products work and can they work for you?
Reading Time: 2 minutes While the federal government views 4R stewardship as a way to substantially cut greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer use, there is another way — more efficient fertilizer products that reduce volatilization, leaching and denitrification. And many farmers are using these fertilizers, which fall into two main categories: inhibitors and slow- or controlled-release formulations. David Carlson […] Read more
U.N. chief in talks on restoring Ukraine grain exports
Contact made amid global food crisis
United Nations | Reuters — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday that he is in “intense contact” with Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, the United States and the European Union in an effort to restore Ukrainian grain export as a global food crisis worsens. “I am hopeful, but there is still a way to go,” said […] Read more
Spring planting well underway in Ontario
MarketsFarm — Farmers are well into seeding their crops for 2022, according to Wednesday’s crop report from Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The report noted planting of corn, soybeans and spring cereals started late last week — the exception being where there are heavier soils. OMAFRA projected planting could be 80 […] Read more
Worsening global food security needs Ukraine, Russia production, UN chief says
Abuja | Reuters — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday the problem of global food security could not be solved without restoring Ukrainian agricultural production and Russian food and fertilizer output to the world market. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February has added to volatility in financial markets, sending commodity prices higher and affecting logistics, […] Read more
CF Industries profit soars as sanctions raise fertilizer prices
Chicago | Reuters — CF Industries on Wednesday reported quarterly earnings climbed 485 per cent as the fertilizer maker ramped up U.S. shipments after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine catapulted prices for crop nutrients. Top fertilizer producers including CF, Nutrien and Mosaic Co. have benefited as sanctions on exporters Russia and ally Belarus limited global supplies […] Read more
Nutrien may further raise potash output as sanctions curb other supplies
Chicago | Reuters — Canada’s Nutrien, the world’s largest fertilizer company, is weighing further increases to potash production as sanctions continue to limit shipments from Russia and Belarus, interim CEO Ken Seitz said on Tuesday. Prices of crop nutrients such as potash have skyrocketed as sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine have disrupted […] Read more