Photo: Thinkstock

Foodgrains growing projects get land

Reading Time: < 1 minute For the sixth year in a row, Viterra is making land around five of its terminals available for Canadian Foodgrains Bank supporters.  In all, the five locations — Lethbridge, Trochu, and three in Saskatchewan — have just over 300 acres that will be farmed this year.  Some are traditional growing projects, while others are farmed […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. judge rejects Roundup settlement plan as ‘unreasonable’

Proposal would cover suits over future illnesses

Reuters — A U.S. judge rejected Bayer’s US$2 billion class action proposal to resolve future lawsuits alleging its Roundup herbicide causes cancer, saying in a Wednesday order that parts of the plan were “clearly unreasonable.” U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco said the proposal “would accomplish a lot for Monsanto,” which Bayer […] Read more


A view of BHP’s potash mine project north of Jansen, Sask. (BHP.com)

BHP reported in talks with Nutrien on potash partnership

Reuters — BHP Group is in discussions with fertilizer maker Nutrien about a partnership in the miner’s massive potash project in Saskatchewan, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing sources. Potential options include Nutrien acquiring a stake in BHP’s mine at Jansen, Sask., or becoming the mine’s operator and selling the potash through its channels, the report said, […] Read more

Hail fears lessens for growing projects

Hail fears lessens for growing projects

Reading Time: < 1 minute Hail will be a little less of a threat this year for Canadian Foodgrains Bank growing projects. Alberta Financial Services Corporation is donating the first $80 an acre of hail insurance for every growing project in the province. There are 35 growing projects in Alberta this year and having hail insurance “provides a great sense […] Read more


(Cia.gov)

India’s federal police probe bosses of two fertilizer companies

Large-scale nutrient purchases often known to sway spot prices

Mumbai | Reuters — Indian authorities have opened an investigation into the heads of two leading fertilizer importing companies, alleging they secured commissions from overseas suppliers for inflating the prices of crop nutrient purchases. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India’s top crimefighting agency, said late Wednesday it was investigating U.S. Awasthi, managing director of […] Read more

Cutworms. (Photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Prairie growers on lookout as insects seize opportunity

Dry conditions, delayed seeding lift pest counts

MarketsFarm — With most Prairie growers’ newly seeded crops already up against dry conditions, growers remain on the lookout for insects which further threaten the health of those seedlings. Considering the high prices of many crops this season, the potential damage would be more costly. John Gavloski, entomologist for Manitoba Agriculture, said there is a […] Read more


A mayfly on water. (SBTheGreenMan/iStock/Getty Images)

Federal reprieve for imidacloprid cuts its application rates

Proposal for near-total ban rejected in Health Canada's final decision

A member of the neonicotinoid family of insesticides and seed treatments has been pulled back from the brink of an all-out ban in Health Canada’s final re-evaluation ruling. Most agricultural uses of imidacloprid — sold by Bayer under brands such as Gaucho, Merit and Admire, and by Adama under brands such as Alias and Sombrero […] Read more

(File photo by Dave Bedard)

U.S. judge raises doubts ahead of hearing on Roundup settlement

'The last question is a killer'

Reuters — A U.S. federal judge on Tuesday questioned a US$2 billion proposal by Bayer that would create a framework for resolving future claims that its Roundup herbicide causes cancer, casting doubt on the plan a day before a key hearing. Bayer and class action attorneys hope U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco […] Read more


Grain-drying study needs farmers

Grain-drying study needs farmers

Reading Time: < 1 minute Lethbridge College is looking for wheat farmers for a grain-drying study. It will examine in-bin natural air drying, in-bin drying with heater, high-temperature drying, and combination drying (high temperature followed by in-bin natural air drying). The study will be province-wide and is looking for producers with 20,000- to 50,000-bushel bins with temperature and moisture monitoring. […] Read more

Barry Senft. (Supplied photo)

Ex-GFO CEO to manage Seeds Canada

Barry Senft to help build up merged seed-industry group

The four Canadian seed industry organizations now operating as Seeds Canada have named their first organizer-in-chief. Barry Senft, whose resume in Canadian agriculture includes stints as CEO for Grain Farmers of Ontario, executive director for the Canadian International Grains Institute, chief commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission and second vice-president for Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, becomes […] Read more