TAMPA BAY, Fla. – The following is a collection of news tidbits from the Commodity Classic, an annual gathering of U.S. corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers. Look for more detailed stories on these subjects in upcoming issues of The Western Producer. Hybrid wheat is coming Syngenta is developing a hybrid wheat designed to stabilize […] Read more
Daily news
News from the Commodity Classic
Weather worries help lift crop futures
Flooding in Brazil, the heavy snowpack on the Canadian Prairies and drought in the U.S. southern plains helped support crop futures on Thursday. Also, tension in the markets over the violence in Libya lessened slightly on a proposal by Venezuela’s president to negotiate a resolution, although few believe the controversial Hugo Chavez will be able […] Read more
Brand inspection, community pasture grazing fees going up
Livestock producers who use Saskatchewan community pastures will pay higher grazing fees this year. Brand inspection fees are also going up. The increases were announced March 2 and are among several fee increases the provincial government is implementing for the next fiscal year. Agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud said pasture patrons had been notified of the […] Read more
New CEO for Angus association
The Canadian Angus Association has hired a new chief executive officer to replace retiring manager Doug Fee. Rob Smith of Olds, Alta., joins the association July 1. Fee took the helm at the association 17 years ago and oversaw the growth of the breed as it became the largest purebred cattle organization in Canada. He […] Read more
Strong demand and weather worries lift canola
Canola rose, supported by good demand and stronger soybean and crude oil prices. The canola basis narrowed. There was also unconfirmed talk that there were new export inquiries. Environment Canada’s latest three month forecast for March though May sees cooler than normal conditions on the Prairies throughout the period. It also sees wetter than normal […] Read more
Rural infrastructure renewal program needed: Lingenfelter
Saskatchewan needs an infrastructure renewal program for rural areas, says the province’s opposition leader Dwain Lingenfelter. Heading into the last legislative sitting before the Nov. 7 election, the Saskatchewan New Democrat leader said last week he will raise that and other rural issues during the three-month session. Many smaller centres can’t afford to undertake the […] Read more
International Federation of Agricultural Producers collapses
After more than six decades as an international voice of farmer interests, the Paris-based International Federation of Agricultural Producers has collapsed. Canadian farm representatives with strong ties to IFAP say the organization was a victim of dysfunctional leadership and financial problems. “They had some accountability and governance issues,” says Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) president […] Read more
Spending estimate shows more than $400 million Ag Canada budget cut
Ottawa is promising to spend $10 billion less in its next budget and at least on paper, Agriculture Canada is chipping in more than $400 million to the cause. Spending estimates for the 2011-12 fiscal year beginning April 1 were tabled in Parliament March 1 by Treasury Board president Stockwell Day. The Agriculture Canada budget […] Read more
Rail transportation the talk of the grain industry
With just a few weeks to go before the federal government releases its rail freight review panel report, rail transportation is again the talk of the grain industry. Several groups recently made headlines by making public their two cents’ worth when it comes to moving grain to market by rail. Viterra, Canada’s biggest grain handler, […] Read more
Funds, concern about Brazilian rains, lift canola
Canola, soybeans and corn rose Tuesday, but wheat was mostly down slightly. Canola was supported by light fund buying and stronger soybean prices. The canola market continues to be pushed and pulled by the uncertainty of spring weather. Under ideal conditions, analysts believe Canadian farmers would plant close to 20 million acres to the oilseed, […] Read more
