WINNIPEG (Reuters) — Maple Leaf Foods reported a disappointing quarterly loss, hurt by weak returns on raising pigs. North American hog farmers have been hard pressed to survive losses in the past year because of pig prices that were inadequate to cover the at-times soaring costs of feed tied to last year’s U.S. drought. Maple […] Read more
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Maple Leaf blames losses on high feed costs, poor sales
Supply management concessions possible at Pacific Rim trade talks
Officials at Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations will defend system, but could bend under the right deal
A senior Canadian trade official says concessions on Canadian defensive issues such as supply management would not be a deal-breaker if Canada wins key demands in Pacific Rim trade talks. He was responding last week to a specific question about Canada’s willingness to make supply management concessions in the interests of a deal. Denis Landerville, […] Read moreViterra’s old malting plants sold
Another piece of Viterra’s former global grain empire has been auctioned off. Officials from Cargill announced earlier this week that they have reached a deal with Switzerland-based GlencoreXstrata to purchase Joe White Maltings, the largest malting company in Australia. Joe White Maltings — which consists of seven malting plants in Australia — was previously owned […] Read more
Eu Wheat Prices Drift Down As Bumper Harvests Loom
HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) — European wheat futures edged lower in thin trade on Wednesday, remaining close to Tuesday’s contract lows, weakened by good harvest prospects in the northern hemisphere, including an improving outlook in France. • “Harvest pressure is still weighing on the market,” a French futures dealer said. • November 2013 milling wheat on […] Read more
Canola futures fall significantly
Canola acted like the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Tuesday, getting smacked down badly with little resistance. The November Winnipeg canola futures contract fell $18.10 per tonne to 475.50 per tonne, or a decline of 41 cents per bushel to about $10.78. The fall of canola was far worse than for either soybeans or soybean oil, which […] Read more
Hail damage worst in the west
Prairie hail damage so far this season runs west to east in terms of severity. The Canadian Crop Hail Association said the number of hail claims is much higher than normal in Alberta as of Aug. 6, while numbers are slightly below average in Saskatchewan and much below average in Manitoba. A July 20 storm […] Read more
Bee colony collapse study may take years
Although environmental groups, the Ontario premier and the Ontario bee industry want a quick decision on causes for bee colony collapse, the federal analysis could take years. Environmental and bee industry activists say they understand Health Canada’s response could be delayed for several years while more testing is done by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. […] Read more
Stampede steer champion disqualified after drug test
The Calgary Stampede has disqualified the winning animal in its steer competition after it tested positive for the painkiller Banamine. Testing positive for drugs is in “contravention of the competition’s rules,” said a Calgary Stampede news release. “We are committed to animal care and welfare and we will continue to enhance rules, regulations and policies […] Read more
Major grain handlers happy with transition to open market
CORRECTION – August 6. 2013 – This story originally referred to Kyle Jeworski as Viterra’s vice-president and chief executive officer for North America. Jeworski’s title is actually president and chief executive officer for North America. A top executive with Canada’s largest grain handling company says the industry has adjusted well to operating in a deregulated […] Read more
Alberta crop report looks positive
PEACE Crop conditions continue to be favourable with frequent showers and warm temperatures. Crops are generally looking good, but farmers are encouraged to monitor for disease. Canola has finished flowering in most areas, but there are pockets of late seeded crops with canola still flowering. The Peace region canola survey wrapped up at the end […] Read more
