Crop Management
Industry focuses on the name ‘alpiste’ as brand development efforts continue following approval of the crop for human consumption
Its promoters laud this nutritious, nutty-flavoured grain as an excellent addition to healthy diet, boasting more protein than chickpeas and oil content similar to cereals — without the gluten. There’s just one problem: most people think canaryseed is just for the birds. For Adele Buettner, general manager of the Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan, […] Read more
Crop Management
Drought leaves nutrients high and dry
Crops took some, soil took some and weather took some, but the true measure of what remains is challenging to assess
High levels of residual nutrients might be available in many prairie fields going into the 2022 growing season because of the drought last summer. Fertilizer expert Rigas Karamanos said inadequate water last summer caused reduced nutrient uptake of applied fertilizer by crops over wide swaths of the prairie provinces. “There is tremendous amount of residual […] Read more
Antique tractors maintain their pulling shape
Competitors spend long hours working on their machines in the shop and then get to see the results on competition day
CALMAR, Alta. — The pull of vintage tractors is irresistible to Robert McKell. Add in vintage tractor pulls and McKell can’t think of a better way to spend a day, or an entire summer. “I love old tractors. I love hearing them and I love playing with them,” said McKell, who collected more than 40 […] Read more
China expected to remain major grain buyer
China doubled its grain purchases in 2021, helping spur the bull run in grain markets, but what’s in store for this year? Dan Basse, president of AgResource Company, thinks more of the same. China imported a record 65 million tonnes of grain last year, according to customs data published by the Dim Sums blog. That […] Read more
Wheat jumpy as Black Sea war looms
Wheat prices could explode if the Russia-Ukraine standoff evolves into war, says an analyst. “If some kind of conflict starts, we’re telling clients we don’t know how high wheat would have to go,” said Dan Basse, president of AgResource Company. His contacts in the grain industry tell him the United States government is mulling over […] Read more
Viterra to buy Gavilon grain business
TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) — Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp. will sell the grain business of its U.S. unit Gavilon to commodities trader Glencore’s Viterra arm for US$1.125 billion, as well as working capital. Marubeni said it expected to gain $2.6 to $3.5 billion, including loans to Gavilon, through the deal, which is due to be […] Read more
China to allow gene-edited crops in push for food security
BEIJING, Jan 25 (Reuters) – China has published trial rules for the approval of gene-edited plants, paving the way for faster improvements to crops as it seeks to bolster its food security. Gene editing – or altering the genes of a plant to change or improve its performance – is viewed by some scientists as […] Read more
ADM profit up nearly 14 percent on strong biofuel demand and ethanol margins
Jan 25 (Reuters) – Global grain trader Archer-Daniels-Midland Co reported a jump of nearly 14 percent in fourth-quarter earnings on Tuesday as rising biofuel demand and strong ethanol margins helped to boost operating profit at its carbohydrate solutions division. High energy and grain costs, however, clipped earnings at the corn-processing unit, as well as its […] Read more
U.S. indoor vertical farm Plenty gets big injection of cash and Walmart deal
Jan 25 (Reuters) – Retail giant Walmart Inc said on Tuesday it is investing in indoor vertical farm Plenty as part of a $400 million funding round and will be buying leafy greens from them for its stores in California. The investment in the South San Francisco startup that grows leafy greens under banks of […] Read more
U.S. increases dry bean exports
Demand for American dry beans is exceptionally strong despite the small crop, says an industry official. Growers in the United States harvested 1.03 million tonnes of beans last year, down 30 percent from the previous year. Mexico is the biggest market for U.S. beans and they were very active buyers in 2020-21 due to a […] Read more
