Reuters — The El Nino weather pattern is likely to transition into ENSO-neutral conditions in the next month or two, a U.S. government weather forecaster said on Thursday. “ENSO-neutral” refers to periods in which neither El Nino nor La Nina is present, according to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC). ENSO-neutral conditions are […] Read more
El Nino seen transitioning to neutral in next month or two
U.S. Midwest floods to weigh on diesel demand come harvest
Putnam County, Ill. | Reuters — A disappointing planting season due to massive flooding in the U.S. Midwest this spring is expected to have spillover effects on diesel demand during harvest season, analysts and traders said. Heavy storms that lingered over the Midwest left millions of acres unseeded and put crops that were planted late […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy, corn, wheat firm ahead of USDA monthly data
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean, corn and wheat futures closed higher on Wednesday as traders adjusted positions a day before a monthly U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report in which analysts expect the government to lower its 2019 U.S. yield estimates for corn and soybeans. The report due on Thursday is drawing extra interest […] Read more
Rice in Ontario?
Ontario trials of cold-tolerant white rice could prove alternative crop potential
Representatives from Ontario FangZheng Agriculture Enterprises Inc. think Ontario could become a major exporter of white rice. The Thornhill-based company, in combination with researchers from the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown campus, is managing a one-hectare (2.47 acre) rice paddy near Chatham. At a news conference on June 28, company representatives said their goal is to […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat, corn down on crop conditions, weather
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn and wheat futures settled down on Tuesday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) raised its condition ratings for both grains and more crop-friendly weather was forecast for the Midwest. “This downward trend has been led by wheat,” said Ted Seifried of Zaner Group. “These crop conditions are absolutely […] Read more
U.S. refiners urge EPA to keep biofuel waiver requests secret from USDA
Washington | Reuters — A law firm representing small U.S. refineries has urged the Environmental Protection Agency to keep refiners’ applications for waivers from the nation’s biofuel policy secret from the Department of Agriculture, arguing that the petitions include confidential business information. The request, made by Perkins Coie in a letter to the EPA dated […] Read more
Juror urges judge to uphold US$80M Roundup verdict
Reuters — A juror who was part of a panel that delivered a US$80 million award against Bayer AG after finding that its glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup caused a man’s cancer has urged the presiding judge to uphold the decision. A letter from the juror written on July 4 was posted to the court docket […] Read more
FAO, OECD see swine fever in China among risks to food markets
Paris | Reuters — The spread of a deadly pig disease in China that has disrupted the world’s biggest pork market is one of the major risks to a well-supplied global agricultural sector, the FAO and OECD said on Monday. African swine fever was highlighted in the annual agricultural outlook for 2019-2028 from the Food […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, soy higher after choppy day amid hot forecasts
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn and soybean futures settled higher on Monday after a seesaw trading session. Analysts blamed the choppy day on forecasts for hot and dry weather in the U.S. Midwest in the coming days. But forecasts showing heat building further in the next two weeks, with limited rainfall, were causing concern […] Read more
U.S. EPA proposes hike in 2020 biofuel mandate
Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday proposed refiners increase the volume of biofuels blended into their annual fuel output but did not reallocate the waived amounts under the hardship program, drawing ire from powerful corn and biofuel groups as well as Republican senators. The EPA is charged with setting […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
