(Reuters) — Canadian fertilizer company Agrium Inc. warned that its potash volumes are expected to be about 30 percent lower than normal in the current quarter, but raised its dividend 50 percent, saying that agriculture’s longer-term fundamentals are strong. Potash prices have slipped since mid-summer, when the biggest global producer Uralkali quit its export partnership […] Read more
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Agrium warns of lower potash volumes but hikes payout
China to invest in over seven million acres of Ukrainian farmland: report
SHANGHAI (Reuters) — China is to buy 7.4 million acres of Ukrainian farmland, media said on Sunday, which would make Ukraine China’s largest overseas farming centre as it strives to keep pace with rising food demand. China’s official Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps has signed an agreement with Ukrainian agricultural firm KSG Agro, which would […] Read more
Kazakhstan sees higher 2013-14 grain exports after better crop
ALMATY (Reuters) — Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest grain producer, can export up to 9.5 million tonnes in the 2013-14 marketing year after raising its grain crop forecast to 18.5 million tonnes, Agriculture Minister Asylzhan Mamytbekov said on Monday. The nation of 17 million had planned to reap 16.3 million tonnes of grain by clean weight […] Read more
One serious case of West Nile confirmed in Sask.
Saskatchewan has reported a case of West Nile Virus neurological syndrome even as cooler weather arrived to drive down the risk. Provincial chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said Sept. 20 that a man in his 60s is hospitalized in Five Hills Health Region, which includes an area around Moose Jaw. Another six suspected […] Read more
Canola’s week has disappointing end
Friday saw the week end down for canola futures and back into the $480s per tonne range that alarmed farmers in early-August. It was a disappointing ending for a week that saw a short-term rally in canola and vegetable oil prices dissipate after one day as overwhelming fundamental and seasonal factors prevented the oilseeds from […] Read more
Harvest progress variable in Alta.
SOUTH Widespread rain across many areas of the south slowed harvest with some areas reporting more than 25 millimetres of rain. The rain gave farmers a much-needed reprieve, but half the crop still remains to be harvested. Early reports are of average and above average yields. Most cereals have been harvested with canola coming off […] Read more
CWB takes two-pronged approach in road to privatization
The former Canadian Wheat Board has taken its first steps toward privatization, unveiling a two-pronged plan that includes establishing a network of grain handling facilities across Western Canada and offering prairie farmers an equity stake in the soon-to-be privatized company. Gord Flaten, CWB’s vice-president of grain procurement, said prairie farmers will receive $5 worth of […] Read more
West Nile case confirmed in Sask.
Saskatchewan is reporting one serious and six suspected cases of West Nile Virus. The province’s chief medical health officer will speak to reporters later today, but the province has issued a news release stating that one person is in hospital with West Nile neurological syndrome. The people likely became infected in late August and early […] Read more
Harvest moving quickly in Manitoba
Southwest The harvest is progressing rapidly, thanks to a stretch of mild, dry weather in the first three weeks of September. Spring cereal combining is nearing completion. Growers have reported above average yields for spring wheat, barley and oats. Canola yields are also robust. Reports indicate yields range from 30 to 65 bu. per acre. […] Read more
Clubroot confirmed in Manitoba
Manitoba is no longer free of clubroot. Manitoba Agriculture announced late yesterday that canola plants in two separate fields showed “symptoms of clubroot galls on their roots.” Subsequent laboratory testing demonstrated that the galls contained clubroot DNA. As a result, Manitoba Agriculture plant pathologists have concluded that clubroot is now in Manitoba. The province, however, […] Read more
