Oil shippers not happy | BNSF says it hopes to reduce complaints from other sectors about oil cars causing rail congestion and delays
NEW YORK/CALGARY (Reuters) — BNSF Railroad has told some customers that they cannot add new oil tank cars to its system until next year, according to two people familiar with the matter. Oil shippers seeking to add as many as a dozen new crude oil trains to BNSF’s lines, which is more than 1,000 tank […] Read moreNews
U.S. railroad puts moratorium on new oil tank cars
Fair Food label to indicate high ethical standards
TAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) — A new Fair Food label to help shoppers identify tomatoes grown under ethical working conditions is expected to debut soon at Whole Foods Market. The initiative is a result of efforts to ensure Florida farm workers’ rights to water, shade and fair wages. The label, featuring a worker hoisting a brimming […] Read more
Australian farmers hold back wheat
SINGAPORE (Reuters) — Australian farmers are holding back wheat crop sales as dryness in parts of the country’s eastern grain belt cuts yields. It’s raising the likelihood of a boost to global prices, which have dropped 13 percent this year. Farmers in the world’s fourth biggest wheat exporter have sold only a quarter of this […] Read more
EU considers allowing countries to ban GM crops
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) — European Union politicians have backed a plan to allow member countries to ban genetically modified crops on their soil, even if the crops are approved in the trading bloc. The decision increases the chance that their use will remain limited on the continent. GM crops have divided opinion in Europe. Opposition […] Read more
Forage industry leader recognized
Wayne Digby, former executive director of the Manitoba Forage Council, has received the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s leadership award. He was announced as the winner Nov. 13. In a news release, the association said Digby played a critical role in establishing the national association as well as providing leadership to the Manitoba Forage Council. […] Read more
Industry officials see future for seed treatments in ag
Crop protection | Despite controversy around neonicotinoids, companies continue to invest in seed treatment development
Neonicotinoids have become controversial because of potential risks to bees, but the seed and crop science industry continues to invest heavily in seed treatments. One of those firms is BrettYoung, a seed company that held a grand opening in late October for its new seed treatment and coating plant in Winnipeg. “This investment, the largest […] Read moreEnvironmentalists oppose $19 billion water tunnel under Sacramento River Delta
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) — California farmers would pay more to irrigate their crops under a proposal to build tunnels under the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta to funnel water to the state’s agricultural breadbasket. The analysis released by state treasurer Bill Lockyer said regional water suppliers and the farmers who buy water from them would be […] Read more
WTO expects global trade pact with end to India-U.S. impasse
Deal will streamline customs rules The U.S. agreed to allow India to stockpile food despite WTO rules on agricultural subsidies
BRISBANE, Australia (Reuters) — The World Trade Organization believes there is a “high probability” that a major deal on streamlining global customs rules will be implemented by the end of the month. The new optimism was the result of India and the United States overcoming a key impasse. “I would say that we have a […] Read moreAG Notes
Municipal awards presented The Saskatchewan Municipal Awards program recently recognized innovation in Saskatchewan local governments. First place: Regional Municipal Plaza. Rural municipalities of Baildon, Hillsborough, Rodgers, Moose Jaw and Caron co-own a building, allowing member municipalities to share space and resources. Second place: Revitalization of Humboldt’s Merchants Bank of Canada Building. Turned an under-used, municipally […] Read more
New chicken quota system may favour faster growing provinces
Chicken Farmers of Canada has signed a new quota allocation agreement to increase production across the country. All member provinces will be allowed to produce more, but provinces like Alberta and Ontario with faster growing populations could be allocated more quota. The debate over providing more quota to some parts of the country, known as […] Read more
