President says the $9 million is a short-term issue and is ‘definitely collectable’
A major player in the pulse, special crops and canola business is having difficulty collecting what it is owed, is considering selling all or part of its business and had three directors resign in March. Investment analysts raised a number of concerns about Legumex Walker’s operations during a conference call on the firm’s 2014 results. […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Canadian Global Crops Symposium: day 1
The short-term outlook for grain and oilseed prices is grim, but long-term prospects remain bullish, according to speakers at the Canadian Global Crops Symposium. Oversupply and devalued currencies in key export nations will weigh down prices for the foreseeable future. #cdnglobalcrops2015 Tweets Europe’s euro is down about 25 percent against the U.S. dollar, the Brazilian […] Read more
Lower crop prices expected in short term
The short-term outlook for grain and oilseed prices is grim, but long-term prospects remain bullish, according to speakers at the Canadian Global Crops Symposium. Oversupply and devalued currencies in key export nations will weigh down prices for the foreseeable future. Europe’s euro is down about 25 percent against the U.S. dollar, the Brazilian real has […] Read more
EU may allow members to ban imports of approved biotech crops
Farm groups are upset that the European Commission is rumoured to be contemplating allowing member states to reject food and feed imports containing approved biotechnology traits. “We’re really concerned about this rumoured option for member states to opt out of a science based approval process,” said Brian Innes, vice-president of government relations with the Canola […] Read more
Irrigators want voice in water management plan
The operating plan for Lake Diefenbaker in central Saskatchewan will rank priorities for the lake and the dam
OUTLOOK, Sask. — Irrigators hope their voice has been heard as a new operating plan for Lake Diefenbaker nears completion. Competing interests have provided input for a plan that has been three years in the making and will likely be finalized next year. The goal of the plan is to rank operations priorities for the […] Read moreDo it right when decommissioning wells
OUTLOOK, Sask. — Farmers need to properly decommission abandoned wells, says Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency. “It’s the right thing to do,” Rob Walcer, senior technologist with the agency, told the South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards annual meeting. “Wells are a hazard and (they are) a direct conduit to our aquifers.” Some farmers fail to realize […] Read more
Record rainfall challenges Indian crops
Prairie farmers poised to see greater prices as market signals indicate significant damage to India’s pulse crop
The wettest March in 48 years has caused extensive damage to India’s pulse crops as evidenced by rising prices, says an analyst. The average weighted rainfall for the country in March was 62.5 millimetres, which is 95 percent above normal. There was plenty of concern by mid-March that the rain had damaged a large portion […] Read moreFertilizer prices dependent on Chinese currency
Investors warned that global fertilizer prices could collapse if China devalues its yuan
A devaluation of China’s currency would be devastating to fertilizer prices, says an industry analyst. Ben Isaacson, analyst with Scotia Capital Inc., thinks investors need to be aware of the growing possibility that China will devalue the yuan. “While the house may bet against it, we think the probability is much greater than just tail […] Read moreAdvance Payment Program changes reduce paperwork
With changes now in effect, producers can apply for advances for up to 45 commodities on one form
The Canadian Canola Growers Association is pleased with changes to the federal Advance Payments Program but feels further steps need to be taken. The federal government is getting rid of red tape, expanding the commodities covered and providing more repayment options for the popular program. Starting April 1, producers can request advances for all their […] Read more
Market may change durum outlook
Durum acreage will be one of the first numbers Bruce Burnett looks at when Statistics Canada releases its planting intentions report April 23. He is forecasting a 15 to 20 percent increase in acres, which is more than Agriculture Canada’s 11 percent projection. However, the CWB’s weather and crop specialist has a sneaking suspicion growers […] Read more
