Washington | Reuters — The Trump administration finalized a rule on Thursday to pare back the types of waterways protected from pollution under federal law, easing burdens on industries such as agriculture and mining but angering environmental groups. The Navigable Waters Protection Rule could win political points ahead of the November election for Republican President […] Read more
Trump administration scales back U.S. water protections
Variable Prairie weather makes for uncertain spring ahead
If nothing else, a rainy harvest season helped replenish topsoil moisture
MarketsFarm — Late-season rains wreaked havoc on the 2019 harvest season but were helpful in restoring topsoil moisture to key growing regions in the Prairies. Since snow coverage has been variable across the Prairies so far in 2020, however, the growing season may get off to a rocky start. “If we take a look at […] Read more
U.S. grains: Robust global demand supports Chicago wheat
Chicago | Reuters — Profit-taking pulled down Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures on Wednesday after robust global demand and concerns about tightening supplies pushed the most-active contract to its highest price since August 2018. Soybean futures also ended lower, while nearby corn futures inched higher. Traders in the farm markets continued to wait for […] Read more
Ridgetown Campus looking for new director
Ken McEwan will be returning to research and teaching
The search is on for the 11th director of the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus, in preparation for the end of Ken McEwan’s stint. McEwan will be director until June 2020. He will then support new infrastructure initiatives on the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus for a transitionary year, with a focus on completing fundraising […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, soy fall as traders await Chinese buying
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures weakened and soybeans touched a five-week low on Tuesday as traders awaited confirmation that China has started to buy more U.S. crops after the countries signed an initial trade deal last week. Most actively traded wheat futures hit their highest price since August 2018 at the Chicago Board […] Read more
Trudeau wants CUSMA deal ratified quickly
Winnipeg | Reuters — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday urged legislators to quickly approve a new continental trade pact but the main opposition party said it wanted to study the deal, indicating the ratification process could drag on. Canada is the only one of the three signatories not to have formally blessed the […] Read more
Soil health products part of new entrant’s offering
Fertilizer stabilizers among products coming from Timac Agro
A French company is bringing its unique model and crop technology to Ontario. Timac Agro Canada, a division of international agriculture company The Roullier Group, offers fertilizer products, especially stabilizers and treatments than can help with nutrient efficiency in soils. The company started in France when the founder discovered that there were opportunities to use […] Read more
Green Party backs grain drying exemption from carbon tax
One of the federal opposition parties in full favour of carbon pricing is lending its support to calls by farm groups for a carbon tax break for grain drying. Vancouver Island MP Paul Manly, the Green Party’s caucus critic for agriculture, announced the party’s position Monday. “We support the grain producers of Canada in their […] Read more
AGI buys ag business management software muscle
Grain handling equipment maker Ag Growth Industries (AGI) plans to level up on its SureTrack farm management software platform with a deal for another Canadian player in the same business. Winnipeg-based AGI announced Thursday it has bought all outstanding shares in Oakville, Ont.-based Affinity Management Ltd., developer of the Compass brand of farm and agribusiness […] Read more
Alberta’s Crop Management Network expands reach
A crop input dealer northwest of Edmonton is the newest link in the Crop Management Network ag retail chain. CMN, whose chain includes retailers in seven other central Alberta communities, said Thursday it has purchased the assets of Dow Fertilizer, which operates sites at Onoway and Mayerthorpe, effective Jan. 9. “We are very excited to […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
