New fertilizer plant planned | Farmers of North America plans U.S. drive to sign up members
CHICAGO, Ill. — A Canadian farm input provider attempting to build a nitrogen fertilizer plant is looking south of the border for investors. “We’re coming and we should be here shortly,” Jim Mann, chief executive officer of Farmers of North America, told an American audience gathered at the 2013 DTN Ag Summit. The company needs […] Read moreNews
Policy must be tailored to farm
Taking inventory | Detailed planning necessary to find the right plan
It’s important for producers to invite their insurance brokers to the kitchen table every year to advise and update the farm’s policy, says Reid Henderson of Agri-Trend. “Do a good job of calculating what the buildings, equipment and tools are worth,” the company’s risk management and insurance manager told the recent 2013 Farm Forum Event […] Read moreFarmers feeling powerless
Elevators full | Prices are not available at some elevators and poor basis levels are eating profits
They are not only signs of a glutted grain handling system, but also offer proof of the powerlessness of farmers in years of large crops. Gaping basis levels and elevators refusing to even offer prices for some crops are becoming a growing problem across the Prairies. “Farmers are virtually giving away their excess yields just […] Read moreAgriculture ranks high forU of S funding
Agricultural research figured prominently in the shortest category of a recent report ranking programs at the University of Saskatchewan: those recommended for increased funding. “We’re not jumping up and down about all of these things, but basically I think the college came out with pretty good rankings,” said Mary Buhr, dean of the agriculture college. […] Read more
Court rejects most of CWB class action suit
If a Federal Court judgment holds, a $17 billion class action suit against Ottawa over ending the CWB monopoly would be reduced to a potential claim worth a fraction of that. As CWB supporters consider an appeal, a Federal Court of Canada judge has rejected most of their arguments. A lawyer for Friends of the […] Read more
Hunger in Africa reaching crisis
Drop in donor funds | Despite a good harvest, there is less food to feed the growing population
DAKAR, Senegal (Thomson Reuters Foundation) — Sixteen million people are at risk of hunger across Africa’s Sahel belt next year, says a senior United Nations official. The potential crisis has been caused by conflicts and rapid population growth despite good harvests and rainfall. Violence in northern Nigeria, northern Mali and the Central African Republic as […] Read moreAg minister highlights positive aspects of year
The burden that Alberta’s big crop has imposed on grain storage and the transportation system is “not the worst problem to have,” says the provincial agriculture minister. In a Dec. 12 year-end review of agriculture and rural development, Verlyn Olson said total production in Alberta was 27 million tonnes, up 26 percent from 2012 and […] Read more
Producer groups to take over livestock brand inspection
Efficiency, flexibility sought | Inspection cost expected to remain at $2 per head
Saskatchewan livestock organizations will take over brand inspection in the province Jan. 1 through a new non-profit corporation. Five producer groups have formed the Livestock Services of Saskatchewan Corp. (LSS) to deliver inspection services previously offered by the provincial government. The 41 full-time equivalent staff working in the inspection service will transfer to the corporation. […] Read moreCorn growers like advance payment plan changes
Changes to the Advance Payments Program should benefit farmers and commodity groups that administer the program, says Theresa Bergsma, Manitoba Corn Growers Association general manager. Earlier in December federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz an-nounced several modifications to the cash-flow program, which helps producers meet short-term financial obligations like input costs. The changes include: Commodity groups […] Read more
Weyburn terminal looks for investors
Board of directors split | Two directors resign over the decision to seek potential buyers
The possible sale of all or part of Weyburn Inland Terminal has prompted two board members to resign and set off speculation about potential buyers. There was no definitive agreement at press time, and any sale would only go forward after shareholders vote, said chief executive officer Rob Davies. In fact, it might not happen […] Read more
