Canada’s grain promoters see West Africa as a growing market. And the worries about problems with Canadian crop consistency and low gluten strength appear to be receding. “I think in large part any concerns have been really dispelled,” said Dave Burrows, Canadian International Grains Institute’s chief operating officer, who visited Ghana and Ivory Coast in […] Read more
News
Canadian grains poised to make a comeback in West Africa
BroadGrain deal to boost Winnipeg inland port project
By Brian Cross Saskatoon newsroom BroadGrain Commodities is the latest company to announce a major investment in western Canada’s grain handling infrastructure. The Toronto-based grain company announced Jan. 14 that it plans to spend up to $25 million building a new high throughput elevator in Winnipeg, as well as a bean-processing and container packing facility. […] Read more
Ontario beekeepers dispute latest neonic study
A Health Canada study on neonicotinoid seed treatments has irritated beekeepers in Ontario and delighted defenders of the technology. However, it’s probably premature to be outraged or to celebrate because Health Canada will release two more reports on neonicotinoids later this year. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State […] Read more
MacAulay’s Washington trip focuses on trade
Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay’s first official visit to Washington focused on trade ties with the US, including the fate of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. MacAulay met with US agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack Jan. 14. “There was a lengthy discussion on TPP and he was indicating the pros and cons, as I was too, and what […] Read more
Syngenta remains discreet as merger talks continue
ZUG, Switzerland (Reuters) — Syngenta is in talks about a possible merger, but must be discreet before any deal is completed, the Swiss agrichemical group’s chairman said Jan. 13. Michel Demare said last month Syngenta was in talks with ChemChina, Monsanto and others. When asked about the prospect of Syngenta possibly becoming a Chinese company, […] Read more
SaskBarley elects new chair
The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission has a new chair. Jason Skotheim of Prince Albert, Sask., was elected chair by SaskBarley’s board of directors following the commission’s 2016 annual general meeting in Saskatoon, Jan. 13. Brent Johnson of Strasbourg, Sask., was elected vice-chair. “I am honoured to have been elected as chair,” said Skotheim. “This upcoming […] Read more
EU food safety watchdog hits back at scientists in glyphosate row
BRUSSELS, Belgium — The head of Europe’s food safety watchdog has written to a group of senior scientists, strongly rejecting their criticisms in a row about the safety of glyphosate. The European Food Safety Authority, which advises European Union policymakers, issued an opinion in November that glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer. It was at […] Read more
India debates GM oil mustard launch
NEW DELHI, India — India’s chief scientific adviser has urged prime minister Narendra Modi to decide the fate of the country’s first genetically modified food crop, mustard, and a recent meeting suggests authorities may support commercialization. While the path to a commercial launch is fraught with political opposition, allowing GM crops is critical to Modi’s […] Read more
Belated cold spell to benefit French crops
PARIS, France — The arrival of seasonably cold weather in France in the next few days should benefit cereal crops and ease concerns about unusually mild conditions so far this winter in the European Union’s top grain grower, farm office FranceAgriMer said. Crop observers and grain traders have been concerned that a warm December across […] Read more
South Africa’s drought devastates crops
HOOPSTAD, South Africa — Driving his pick-up truck down a dirt road, farmer Petrus Roux points to scorched fields that should be a sea of green maize, part of South Africa’s western grain belt. The worst drought in over a hundred years has devastated crops and could tip the economy into recession, adding to a […] Read more
