Grain and oilseed shipments through the Port of Prince Rupert are on a roll. Statistics released last week by the Prince Rupert Port Authority show a 15.5 percent year-over-year increase in shipments of cereal grains, canola and grain pellets during the first seven months of 2013. Between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2013 Prince Rupert […] Read more
News
Manitoba hemp firm plans growth
Spectacular revenue growth | Hemp Oil Canada plans to open the new facility by the end of 2014
One of Canada’s most profitable food processing companies is planning to capitalize on its success and increase production of what may be the hottest food item in North America. Hemp Oil Canada, which processes hemp seeds, hemp seed oil and hemp flours, is planning to double or triple the capacity at its location in Ste. […] Read more
Africa may reap benefit of potash price decline
Established mines may reduce output | Lower production costs will still allow a profit while increasing demand for potash in emerging markets
LONDON/ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) — Africa’s nascent potash industry, often enjoying low costs and shallow deposits while standing to benefit from fast growth in local demand, expects to withstand an expected drop in the crop nutrient’s prices better than emerging rivals. The recent collapse of one of two global potash cartels is expected to take about […] Read more
Use beef genomics to improve or lose out to ‘other protein’
Cattle producers not listening | DNA information can be used to breed better quality meat without hormones or antibiotics
A DNA train is coming down the track, and scientists are urging beef producers to get on board or be left behind. Information on strands of DNA can offer better than average predictions as to whether a beef animal will have valuable production traits such as improved weight gain, feed efficiency, calving ease or better […] Read more
Is canola’s bloom finally fading?
As Franck Groeneweg scouted canola fields at lunchtime on Aug. 9, he was blissfully free of the volatility going on in the markets. But as he looked at the thick, good condition crop sprawling across his fields, he hoped for two things: A late frost date so he could get it all in safely, and […] Read more
Fall frost the only obstacle to Sask. hopes for large pea crop
Yields appear promising | Combined with a good crop in India, pea prices could fall
Saskatchewan farmers will harvest a big pea crop this year if they avoid a fall frost. “I think we’re looking at at least an average if not above average (crop) at this point,” said Daphne Cruise, regional crop specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture. Other analysts were more enthused about crop prospects. “I’ve seen the best pea […] Read more
New tools improve breeding programs
Molecular breeding | Breeders look to improve traditional crops without biotechnology
MORDEN, Man. — It’s getting harder to find beans and other non-soybean pulse crops around this area, but not here at the Agriculture Canada research centre. The invasion of soybeans and corn to the area has conquered much of the acreage where the Red River Valley’s traditional crops like beans, sunflowers, oats and even wheat […] Read moreIs a hired hand an employee or contract worker?
In times like these, where keeping good workers in your farm operation can be challenging, offering incentives is valuable. As personal tax rates increase, the question of whether or not a person can be treated as a contractor versus an employee becomes more important. The question is often initiated by the people being hired because […] Read more
Cargill nearly doubles earnings from 2012
CHICAGO (Reuters) — U.S. agribusiness giant Cargill reported last week a six-fold rise in fourth quarter net earnings and nearly doubled full-year earnings, citing strength in its core grain-based and financial services. Minneapolis-based Cargill, one of the world’s largest privately held corporations and a top commodities trader, reported $483 million US in earnings for the […] Read more
South Korea OKs GrainCorp deal
CHICAGO (Reuters) — Archer Daniels Midland Co. said last week that South Korea had cleared the grain trader’s takeover of GrainCorp Ltd., leaving China and Australia as the last two countries that need to approve the deal. The Korea Fair Trade Commission became the seventh government agency to approve the nearly $3.1 billion US acquisition. […] Read more
