Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures declined on Tuesday as government data showing a rain-delayed planting campaign was nearing an end encouraged a pause in a rally that took prices to a five-year high a day earlier. Wheat futures sank on profit-taking and competition for global export business. Soybeans edged higher, supported by ongoing […] Read more

U.S. grains: Corn down on profit-taking as planting ‘virtually done’

Federal food policy aims to lift local and Canadian-grown products
Federal programs to boost the profile of domestic and locally grown foods at home while reducing food waste, food insecurity and deceptive food marketing are all up for funding under the government’s new Food Policy for Canada. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Parliamentary Ag Secretary Jean-Claude Poissant announced the new policy Monday in Montreal, following […] Read more

Trudeau to meet with Pelosi, McConnell on USMCA
Washington | Reuters — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week is set to meet with Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, in a bid to fast-track passage of a delayed trade deal, two congressional aides said on Monday. Trudeau is to […] Read more

U.S. grains: Corn sets five-year high, soybeans up on poor weather
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures touched a five-year high on Monday and soybeans advanced, supported by forecasts for more rains in the Midwest where wet conditions have delayed plantings and cast doubts on production prospects, analysts said. Chicago Board of Trade wheat closed modestly higher after a choppy session. CBOT July corn settled […] Read more

Ag minister announces launch of Canadian food policy
Canada has its first food policy, an initiative to increase access to safe, nutritious and culturally diverse food, and to cut food waste. Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of agriculture and agri-food and parliamentary secretary, Jean-Claude Poissant made the announcement Monday in Montreal. “The Food Policy for Canada is our road map for a healthier and more […] Read more

Where did all the DON corn go?
Most infected corn in Ontario has now been flushed to markets in ethanol and around the world, mostly at discounted prices
Last year’s deoxynivalenol (DON)-infected corn crop has been successfully sold and shipped — albeit at discounted returns for farmers. The specific destinations of that corn, discounts endured by producers and timing of sales have varied. Why it matters: The past six months show large volumes of vomitoxin-infected corn can be moved despite reduced returns for […] Read more

U.S. grains: Corn reaches five-year high on crop uncertainty, firm cash
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn futures climbed to their highest level in five years on Friday as forecasts for more showers in the eastern Midwest next week clouded U.S. production prospects, analysts said. Soybeans also advanced on the weather worries and wheat closed higher after a choppy session. Chicago Board of Trade July corn […] Read more

Cannabis edibles clear for legal launch before year-end
Food products containing cannabis are expected to be on the retail market by mid-December at the earliest under new federal regulations announced Friday. Health Canada on Friday announced amendments to the Cannabis Regulations will be published June 26 to come into force Oct. 17, laying out rules for legal production and sale of edible cannabis, […] Read more

Agricultural plastics not part of federal ban
The federal government’s plan to halt Canada’s consumption of single-use plastics such as shopping bags, straws and stir sticks over the next couple of years won’t extend to farm chemical containers and grain bags. Cleanfarms, the national industry stewardship body operating waste management and recycling programs for agricultural packaging, said Thursday that plastic products such […] Read more

Bayer to invest $7.5 billion in new herbicides
Berlin | Reuters — Bayer said it would invest five billion euros (C$7.5 billion) in developing new weedkillers and reducing its environmental impact by 30 per cent by 2030, as it seeks to address the fallout from U.S. class-action litigation over glyphosate. “While glyphosate will continue to play an important role in agriculture and in […] Read more