Reuters – Agrium, the Calgary-based fertilizer maker that’s in the midst of a merger with PotashCorp, reported a quarterly loss Nov. 3. The company reported a net loss from its operations of $52.2 million, or 39 cents a share in the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30. That’s compared to a net profit of $132.5 […] Read more
Agrium posts quarterly loss
Save time and maybe money with fall soil sampling
Having a firm fertilizer plan in the fall allows you to take advantage of any dip in fertilizer prices
Reading Time: < 1 minute Soil sampling now will save time in spring and early planning of your fertilizer programs gives you the chance to take advantage of lower fertilizer prices that may occur, says a provincial crop specialist. But soil samples need to be representative of the field, said Mark Cutts. “For example, if there are small areas of […] Read more
German cabinet approves draft law banning GM crops
Berlin | Reuters — The German cabinet has approved a draft law banning cultivation of crops with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), government sources told Reuters on Wednesday. Germany had announced in September 2015 that it will ban cultivation of crops with GMOs under new European Union rules allowing member states to opt out of their […] Read more
Agriculture risk management program approved
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Advanced Education has granted its approval to Lethbridge College’s Agriculture Business Risk Management (AgBRM) certificate program. The program was launched a year ago, and those completing it were initially awarded a credential of academic achievement. The provincial certificate approval provides a variety of benefits, including making students eligible for student loans. The program was […] Read more
Mosaic looks to restart Saskatchewan potash mine
Reuters — U.S. fertilizer producer Mosaic Co. may need to restart its idled potash mine at Colonsay, Sask. next year, as international buyers work through inventories, the company said on Tuesday. Mosaic halted production in July at the mine, about 70 km southeast of Saskatoon, for the rest of 2016 due to low global potash […] Read more
New Holland buying into tillage equipment market
U.S. ag equipment giant New Holland is set to enter the tillage equipment business and stretch out its space in the hay and forage market, with a deal for Danish manufacturer Kongskilde Industries. New Holland’s parent CNH Industrial on Monday announced it will buy Kongskilde’s agricultural “grass and soil” business from Dansk Landbrugs Grovvareselskab (DLG […] Read more
Alberta landowner backed by Surface Rights Board
Reading Time: < 1 minute A recent Surface Rights Board decision has ruled against a unilateral reduction of surface lease rentals in Alberta. In the case, an energy company argued, “We only pay for leases with active wells on them.” The panel disagreed, saying, “Payment of compensation is not at the discretion of the operator.” Under surface lease agreements, lessors […] Read more
Precision ag tech’s link to broadband under study
Crop growers in southwestern Ontario are being asked how their access to high-speed internet, or lack thereof, has helped or hindered their adoption of precision ag tools. Researchers at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), as part of the Regional and Rural Broadband (R2B2) project, are studying how “current and future connectivity” influences […] Read more
Saskatchewan sets gradual markups for brewers
The system of provincial markups applied on beer sold in Saskatchewan is about to change, so beer from expanding local-level breweries won’t be charged the same rate as major players. Starting Tuesday (Nov. 1), the wholesale markup on beers distributed by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) will be set at one of seven […] Read more
National environmental farm plan in the works
A summit next month will bring together farm groups and governments from across the country
Reading Time: 3 minutes Having a national environmental farm plan could make it easier for producers to market their commodities overseas. “We recognize that farmers have international buyers from around the world that are sourcing Canadian products from more than one jurisdiction,” said Erin Gowriluk, government relations and policy manager at Alberta Wheat. “If we can position ourselves here […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
