The United States argues that Mexico’s decree banning imports of genetically modified corn used for tortillas is not based on science and violates its commitments under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.  |  Reuters/ Edgard Garrido photo

Mexico waits for U.S. to prove GM corn safety

Mexican submission filed with a trade dispute panel claims science proves genetic modification harms human health

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Reuters) — Mexico is waiting for the United States to prove imported genetically modified corn is safe for Mexicans, deputy agriculture secretary Victor Suarez said as a dispute between the two countries played out under an international trade pact. In a written submission to a panel of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Mexico, the […] Read more

The endorsement by major Bayer shareholder Harris Associates takes some pressure off CEO Bill Anderson, who had earlier said he will pause for up to three years considerations to break apart the group to focus on problems including debt and litigation. | Bayer photo

Major Bayer shareholder backs CEO’s strategy

Company has angered some shareholders with its plan to put breakup on hold while focusing on internal restructuring

FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) — Major Bayer shareholder Harris Associates has come out in strong support of the drug maker’s decision to suspend work on breaking up the diversified group, giving breathing room to its embattled chief executive officer. The endorsement takes some pressure off CEO Bill Anderson, who had earlier said he will pause for […] Read more

Brent Cheyne, president of the National Wheat Growers Association, said pesticide regulations need to be based on peer-reviewed science from bodies such as the National Academy of Sciences rather than “hocus pocus science.” “We have to have our crop inputs protected,” he said. “People need to realize we’re not just out there spraying for something to do. It costs a lot of money to do it.” | File photo

Pesticides under fire in U.S.

HOUSTON, Texas — Pesticides are increasingly under attack in the United States and that is keeping farm leaders awake at night. “We are concerned as farmers about rules and regulations coming out of EPA when it comes to herbicides,” Josh Gackle, president of the American Soybean Association (ASA), said during the general session of the […] Read more


Bayer chief executive officer Bill Anderson is under pressure from investors to take steps to revive the company’s fortunes, possibly by breaking it into smaller units.  |  Reuters/Tom Kaeckenhoff photo

Bayer postpones breakup amidst financial woes

Company says it needs time to reduce debt, deal with legal challenges, pursue more job cuts and improve decision making

FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) — Bayer will hold off on plans to break apart the group for up to three years so that the new chief executive officer can focus on problems including debt and litigation. The move leaves investors dubious about whether enough is being done to revive the company’s fortunes. “Our answer is ‘not […] Read more

Opposition to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement that Canada and the European Union signed in 2016 has always been widespread in Europe, particularly among French meat farmers, who say their country would be flooded with “hormone-doped meat from Canada.”  |  Reuters/Yves Herman photo

Canadian ag exports struggle for EU foothold

Opposition from farmers, environmentalists and politicians hinder implementation of Canada-European Union trade deal

Ongoing protests by European farmers unhappy with reduced profits and unfair competition from non-European Union countries could pose problems for Canadian agricultural exports. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 brought an energy crisis in Europe with associated spillover to agriculture, as many EU farmers faced a sharp rise in input costs and reduced demand […] Read more


BASF, which supplies more than three-quarters of Canada's glufosinate, says growers shouldn't feel pressured to buy the chemical because it has plenty of product at is Regina formulation, packaging and distribution facility. | BASF photo

Major manufacturer insists glufosinate plentiful

Company does say that its flexibility will decrease as the growing season nears

SASKATOON — There is no looming supply shortage of glufosinate, says the leading supplier of the product. BASF says it is well positioned heading into the 2024 growing season with ample supplies of its Liberty 150 SN product available through its retail partners. Related stories: Glyphosate, glufosinate prices hit rock bottom Calmer waters ahead on […] Read more

Industry officials think there is a chance that the rules for “novel” trait and innovative research development could be finished this year.  |  File photo

Ag research potential praised, but danger lurks

Canada said to be developing innovative, investment-friendly climate, but gov’t remains under pressure from activists

WINNIPEG — Canada could be on the brink of becoming an agriculture research Mecca, or it could be on the verge of sliding into ag research paralysis. Both of those possibilities were discussed by Ottawa lobbyists at Keystone Agricultural Producers’ annual convention late last month. “We’re particularly excited about this,” said Andrea Faubert of Corteva […] Read more

Input retailers say growers who are pushing back their usual January-February purchases to April-May could be in for a surprise but suppliers are not willing to take on a lot of excess inventory in today’s high interest rate environment.  |  File photo

Glyphosate, glufosinate prices hit rock bottom

Producers are urged to take advantage and book one or two year’s supply, but many are reluctant to buy too far ahead

SASKATOON — Farmers should seriously consider locking up their glyphosate and glufosinate needs at today’s rock bottom prices, say suppliers of the products. “I absolutely think growers should be pouncing,” said Joel Merkosky, president of Johnston’s Grain. “If I was a producer and I was sitting on a solid cash position, I’d be looking at […] Read more



Upholding a permanent injunction, the ninth United States Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco found it unconstitutional to force Bayer’s Monsanto unit, which makes Roundup, and other agricultural businesses to provide California’s proposed carcinogen warnings under a state law known as Proposition 65. | File photo

U.S. court blocks glyphosate labels

REUTERS — A divided federal appeals court said California cannot require businesses to warn consumers about the potential dangers of glyphosate, an ingredient in Roundup that has been linked to cancer. Upholding a permanent injunction, the ninth United States Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco found it unconstitutional to force Bayer’s Monsanto unit, which […] Read more