(Reuters) — PotashCorp plans to cut production and trim its full-year earnings and sales forecasts as volatile currencies and economic pressures weigh on demand for the crop nutrient. The world’s biggest fertilizer company by capacity reported an 11 percent drop in quarterly profit, also hurt by weak nitrogen prices and increased phosphate costs. PotashCorp shares […] Read more
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PotashCorp cuts forecast, shares drop
New rules may bring about safety improvements: union
Eric Musekamp has fought for 17 years for more rights for farm workers. His fight started after a farmer stabbed a worker to death near Taber, Alta., after tipping a grain truck. Musekamp can see his years of work finally paying off with the introduction of Bill 6. “I am pleased and satisfied and impressed,” […] Read more
World in brief
Kenya aims to double coffee output NYERI, Kenya, (Reuters) — Kenya aims to double its annual coffee production by 2020 to 92,000 tonnes by increasing the area under cultivation and raising yields, helping bolster a major foreign exchange revenue earner. Kenya, which relies heavily on coffee export earnings, is a small producer that accounts for […] Read more
Momentum gathers for sustainably-sourced ingredients
Program helps farmers adapt to consumer demand for efficient use of land, water and energy by sharing practices and data
Protecting and developing markets in a world concerned about environmental sustainability is a key objective for a program supported by Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We’re developing a market-driven and science-based approach to examine key on-farm indicators to help tell the story about farming sustainability across Ontario and Canada,” said Mike Buttenham, the organization’s market development […] Read moreCeres makes fertilizer storage deal
Ceres Global Ag Corp, which owns the Northgate Commodities Logistics Centre at Northgate, Sask., has reached a fertilizer handling and storage agreement with Koch Fertilizer Canada. Ceres announced Nov. 17 that it has negotiated a deal that will give Koch exclusive use of yet-to-be-constructed fertilizer storage facilities at Northgate. The proposed fertilizer facilities are scheduled […] Read more
Insurance avoids leaving tax bill behind
Many farmers have a high net worth, which, if their farming property doesn’t qualify for the rollover rules, can result in one of the largest tax bills their family will ever pay. You work all your life to build up your assets only to have the government tax it all after your death. Not only […] Read more
EPA to study benefits of corn ethanol in gasoline
The review will look at whether the Environmental Protection Agency properly evaluated the environmental cost of corn production
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s investigators have launched a review of the environmental benefits stemming from the country’s decade-old program requiring the use of corn-based ethanol in gasoline. The investigation, to be conducted by the inspector general for EPA, will examine whether the agency has complied with reporting requirements and is […] Read moreProspects dim for U.S. vote on TPP
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) — The 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, facing stiff opposition from many Democrats and unexpected resistance from Republicans, is unlikely to be voted on by the U.S. Congress before president Barack Obama leaves office, according to some Republican lawmakers and aides. A veteran Senate Republican aide, who asked not to be identified, said […] Read more
Producers get help applying for foreign workers
Alberta Pork’s pilot program will help producers understand changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program
Alberta Pork is offering to help producers work through the labyrinth of paperwork required to hire foreign workers. The organization launched a one year pilot program Oct. 1 that will cover up to one-third of the cost of services to assist with the foreign worker process. “There have been a lot of changes in the […] Read moreRestaurant eager to satisfy demand for local beef
An Earl’s restaurant official says customers also ask how the animal was raised and if it is antibiotic and steroid free
More than one-third of the Certified Angus Beef consumed in Canada is imported from the United States. Canadians ate 41 million pounds of the branded beef last year, but the country’s industry produced less than 25 million lb. Larry Corah, vice-president of the Ohio-based Canadian Angus Beef program, said the shortfall in Canadian Angus beef […] Read more
