Demand for U.S. soybeans falls, but supply concerns remain

CHICAGO (Reuters) — Export demand for U.S. soybeans slowed last week, U.S. Agriculture Department data released on Thursday showed, but further declines in overseas purchases were needed to provide relief to a tight balance sheet. USDA’s weekly export sales report showed net sales of U.S. soybeans for delivery during the 2013-14 crop year were just […] Read more

Grain handlers plan new terminal on Australia’s east coast

SYDNEY (Reuters) — A consortium of grain handlers plans to build a new terminal at Port Kembla in Australia’s New South Wales state, signalling fresh competition for the region’s biggest listed agribusiness GrainCorp. Logistics business Qube Holdings said it has formed a joint venture with Noble Resources, a unit of Singapore’s Noble Group, to develop […] Read more

Russia may up 2014 grain crop forecast due to Crimea

MOSCOW (Reuters) — Russia may raise its 2014 grain crop forecast by two million tonnes to 97 million tonnes thanks to the harvest in Crimea, the Ukrainian region annexed by Moscow, RIA news agency reported, citing Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fyodorov. “We target a grain production increase to 95 million tonnes this year,” the agency quoted […] Read more


Drug firms move to bar antibiotic use in livestock growth

CHICAGO (Reuters) — U.S. regulators on Wednesday said that 25 out of 26 drugmakers that sell antibiotics used in livestock feed for growth enhancement have agreed to follow new guidelines that will make it illegal to use their products to create beefier cattle, heftier hogs and other outsized animals. The companies — which include Eli […] Read more

Deal reached to end truckers strike at Vancouver

VANCOUVER, March 26 (Reuters) – Negotiators on Wednesday reached a deal to end the month-long container truck strike that has crippled operations at Canada’s largest port and slowed the transport of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of goods. The new deal, brokered by the province, means that the more than 1,000 striking drivers will […] Read more


Record high cash lifts cattle futures; hogs rise

By Theopolis Waters CHICAGO, March 26 (Reuters) – Record-high prices for slaughter-ready or cash cattle lifted Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle for a third day in a row, traders said. “I think this cattle deal is going off higher cash from yesterday,” said R.J. O’Brien floor manager Jim Brooks. On Tuesday, cash cattle in Texas […] Read more

Canadian dairy producer Saputo to close four factories

(Reuters) — Saputo Inc., Canada’s largest dairy producer, said it would close four factories this year, affecting about 180 employees. Saputo, which recently won control of Australian dairy Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Co., said it would shutter two facilities in Alberta and one each in the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Maryland. Some of […] Read more




Britain raises forecast for wheat, corn imports

LONDON (Reuters) — Britain raised its forecast on Wednesday for wheat and corn imports in 2013-14 to reflect the faster-than-expected pace during the first few months of the season. Wheat imports were expected reach 1.80 million tonnes, up from a previous forecast of 1.63 million, according to official government supply and demand projections prepared by […] Read more