Reuters — After Amazon.com completes its takeover of high-end grocer Whole Foods Market, it might launch another brand with different standards, the grocery chain’s chief executive said in remarks reported in a securities filing on Monday. Amazon plans to keep the natural grocer’s high standards, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey said, adding, “They’re not stupid […] Read more
Whole Foods CEO hints at another brand under Amazon
No charges against Quebec’s ex-ag minister
Quebec’s director of prosecutions has decided not to pursue criminal charges against the province’s fired agriculture minister over allegations of “acts of a sexual character.” The province’s director of criminal and penal prosecutions (DPCP) announced in a release Monday that the office was “not reasonably convinced” culpability could be proven against the provincial member for […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn sags on U.S. weather
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures fell more than two per cent on Monday on forecasts for mostly benign weather in the Midwest as the crop heads into its pollination phase next month, analysts said. Corn closed near its session lows and appeared to drag down soybeans as well. Chicago Board of Trade July […] Read more
Agrium buys polymer maker’s ag chem applications
Fertilizer and ag retail firm Agrium has closed a deal for an Australian polymer maker’s ag chemical business, aiming to put it to work in fertilizer and pesticide application. Calgary-based Agrium said Tuesday it has bought Starpharma Holdings’ agrochemical business for A$35 million (C$35.3 million) via Agrium’s U.S. crop input arm, Loveland Products. The deal […] Read more
Amazon moves into real-world stores with Whole Foods deal
Reuters — Amazon.com said Friday it would buy grocer Whole Foods Market for US$13.7 billion in a move that gives the online retailer a physical network of stores to distribute fresh food and other goods to millennials and wealthy consumers. Amazon, which is known for squeezing suppliers and has been experimenting with its own outlets, […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat rallies to highest since June 2016
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures rallied 2.6 per cent on Friday to their highest in nearly a year, with concerns about shortfalls in the U.S. crop sparking a round of short-covering by investment funds, traders said. Corn futures also were higher, but forecasts for rain in key growing areas of […] Read more
Dow, DuPont merger wins U.S. antitrust approval
Reuters — DuPont and Dow Chemical have won U.S. antitrust approval to merge on condition that the companies sell certain crop protection products and other assets, according to a court filing on Thursday. The asset sales required by U.S. antitrust enforcers were similar to what the companies had agreed to give up in a deal […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat futures lead grain rally
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures rose on Thursday, led by a 2.9 per cent rally in the benchmark Chicago Board of Trade July contract, on concerns about dry weather leading to crop shortfalls globally. Corn also rise, following the gains in wheat, while soybeans generated strength from a bullish report on U.S. crushing, […] Read more
Strong demand keeps Prairie feed barley well supported
CNS Canada — Feed barley bids remain well supported in Western Canada, as solid demand and reluctant farmer selling keep the market underpinned heading into the summer months. “There is pretty decent demand. I’d say higher than average for this time of year,” said Brandon Motz, sales manager with CorNine Commodities in Lacombe, Alta. Strong […] Read more
Hourly employees in agriculture among lowest paid
CNS Canada –– Hourly-wage employees in agriculture and related production were among the lowest earners nationally, according to data from Statistics Canada. The agency on Thursday released data on wages paid to payroll employees in 2016. It reported the average hourly wage paid to full-time employees, excluding overtime pay, tips, incentives and performance pay arrangements, […] Read more
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