BHP cuts jobs, still plans mine

WINNIPEG (Reuters) —BHP Billiton PLC will cut 76 jobs from its Canadian potash operations because of low commodity prices. However, work continues on sinking and lining shafts at BHP’s potash mine near Jansen, Sask., according to the spokesperson. The mine would be the world’s biggest if built. Construction has continued even as existing potash producers […] Read more

Prices reflect strong sector at Agribition sheep sale

Saskatchewan breeders are diversifying into new breeds, such as the Ille de France breed that made its debut at the Regina show this year

Strong sale prices at Canadian Western Agribition indicate the overall health of the sheep sector, says the president of the Saskatchewan Sheep Breeders Association. Nathan Trowell said the average per lot was up $150 over last year. The 71 lots in the sale totalled $36,550 to average $514.79. The average was boosted by the high-seller, […] Read more

El Nino could mean early spring

MOOSE JAW, Sask. — The warm, dry weather that most of the Prairies are enjoying is exactly what forecasters expected, says David Phillips, Canada’s senior climatologist. “Clearly this is an El Nino kind of a situation,” he told reporters at the Prairie Oat Growers Association’s annual meeting. “Typically it comes at this time of the […] Read more


Hackathon will explore ag technology

The University of Saskatchewan is taking an interdisciplinary approach to agricultural innovation. Emerging Agriculture, a three-day hackathon planned for Jan. 9-11, will bring together students from engineering, computer science and agricultural backgrounds so that they can come up with new and innovative technologies for agriculture. “The goal is to foster some collaboration between a bunch […] Read more

Dow, DuPont shares soar 12 pct on merger talks

** DuPont’s shares end up 11.8 pct at nine-month high of $74.49, their best one-day percentage gains since at least 1980, on talks of merger with Dow Chemical Co ** Dow Chemical shares close up 11.9 pct, their best day since April 2009, at record high close of $56.97; stock also hit a record intraday […] Read more


CME live, feeder cattle futures stampede to new lows

CHICAGO, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Wednesday tumbled to the lowest level for the life of the contract, hit by slumping prices for market-ready, or cash, cattle, traders said. Spot December closed 2.400 cents per lb lower at 119.850 cents, after marking a fresh contract low of 119.250 cents. […] Read more

Statistics Canada said apiarists produced 95.3 million pounds of honey, up from 85.5 million last year and 76.5 million in 2013. | File photo

Beekeepers produce bumper honey crop

Canadian beekeepers had a fantastic honey crop this year, as national production is the second highest in the last 15 years. Statistics Canada, in a release issued this morning, said apiarists produced 95.3 million pounds of honey, up from 85.5 million last year and 76.5 million in 2013. Alberta was responsible for most of the […] Read more

Greg Page, executive director of Cargill Inc. | Sean Pratt photo

VIDEO: Tuesday highlights from Ag Summit

CHICAGO, Ill. — Speakers at DTN’s Ag Summit 2015 tackled a wide variety of subjects ranging from climate change to how to manage margins in periods of low prices. What follows is a brief summary of some of their presentations. Read right through to the end to find out what DTN market analyst Darin Newsom […] Read more


Dow Chemical, DuPont in merger talks

(Reuters) — Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont are in talks to merge, creating a chemicals giant with a market value of more than $120 billion that could then break up into different businesses, people familiar with the matter said yesterday. A deal, which would face regulatory approval in several countries, would allow the two U.S. […] Read more

David Garabrant, a University of Michigan epidemiologist, said "industry funded" science versus "publicly funded" receives too much attention. Instead, the public should evaluate the merits of the science. | File photo

Monsanto’s role in glyphosate study doesn’t discredit it: panel member

A member of a scientific panel that reviewed a potential link between glyphosate and cancer says it doesn’t matter who pays for scientific research. David Garabrant, a University of Michigan epidemiologist, said “industry funded” science versus “publicly funded” receives too much attention. Instead, the public should evaluate the merits of the science. “We should focus […] Read more