Meteorologist says ‘it’s pretty hard to come up with a production problem’ when the weather phenomenon is in effect
CHICAGO, Ill. — There is a growing consensus that El Nino has finally arrived, which means another good year for crop production. “We think El Nino has been in place probably since August,” said Bryce Anderson, DTN’s agricultural meteorologist. The Japan Meteorological Agency also said that the weather phenomenon, which is associated with a warming […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Russian agriculture doing fine despite global sanctions
Foreign banks are reluctant to lend money, hindering research investment and infrastructure improvements
CHICAGO, Ill. — Economic sanctions do not appear to be hurting Russian agriculture, says a John Deere official. “They’re planting, they’re producing and we don’t see a decline right now,” Derek Boudreau, country manager for John Deere Russia, told the DTN Ag Summit 2014. A number of countries imposed sanctions on Russia this spring after […] Read more15% ethanol mandate puts cart before horse
Vehicles are built with warranties that don’t allow E15 blends, which exceed EPA greenhouse gas emission limits in summer
CHICAGO, Ill. — E15 blends will not break down the ethanol blending wall, says an energy analyst. The wall was erected last year when the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard required oil companies for the first time to blend more ethanol than could be consumed in 10 percent (E10) blends. Blenders bought Renewable Identification Number paper […] Read moreTrouble brewing for U.S. transportation system
Railways downsized during the last recession but are now having trouble adjusting to new reality of booming freight demand
CHICAGO, Ill. — The U.S. grain transportation system that has been the envy of the world for decades is suddenly in trouble, according to two experts. “It’s very vital to the agriculture industry that this transportation system works smoothly, and most years it does,” said Brian Schouvieller, senior vice-president for agricultural business with CHS, the […] Read moreCanal expansion good for U.S. trade
New lock will accommodate ships that can carry 7,000 to 20,000 tonnes more grain
CHICAGO, Ill. — One of the world’s most efficient grain shippers is about to get better. The third lock of the Panama Canal will transform the way U.S. corn, soybeans and wheat moves to export markets when it opens for business. “It certainly gives more shipping options and it gives a compelling rate advantage,” said […] Read moreRainfall forecast looks good for South American producers
CHICAGO, Ill. — South America’s corn, soybean and wheat crops should benefit from a weak El Nino that is already in place, says a meteorologist. “There is an 86 percent correlation between El Nino and above average rainfall in southern Brazil and Argentina,” said Bryce Anderson, DTN agricultural meteorologist. “If El Nino is in effect, […] Read more
Video: New U.S. fertilizer plants may spark cheaper prices in Canada
CHICAGO, Ill. — New nitrogen fertilizer plants will put a dent in North American imports starting next year, says one of the companies building a facility. A dozen plants either under construction or nearing the construction phase will add six million tonnes to North America’s annual nitrogen fertilizer production from 2015-18. That should put downward […] Read more
Argentine presidential candidate pledges to overhaul export taxes
CHICAGO, Ill. — One of the frontrunners in Argentina’s presidential election campaign is promising to reform the country’s export tax on crops. Sergio Massa, head of the Front for Renewal party, says he would eliminate taxes on wheat, reduce the duty on corn and sunflowers and gradually decrease the tax on soybeans. It would have […] Read more
Analyst thinks China will still try to restrict corn imports
China’s approval of Syngenta’s Agrisure Viptera corn gave the crop a little boost, but it is no panacea for ailing grain prices, says an analyst. Chinese vice-premier Wang Yang announced yesterday that regulators had finally approved Viptera, a genetically modified corn variety that Syngenta submitted for approval in 2010. Syngenta commercialized the product in the […] Read more
Your view: New canola trait will arrive in the U.S. before Canada
Delay could be years | U.S. growers to seed Cibus’ sulfonylurea tolerant canola next year
Crop regulations By Sean Pratt U.S. canola growers will have access to new non-genetically modified traits years before their Canadian counterparts, says a seed technology company. Canada’s variety registration system and plant with novel traits safety assessment will create significant lag times in the commercial introduction of new traits from Cibus Global, according to the […] Read more
