You’d be hard pressed to find anyone this summer who wasn’t aware of the United States’ escalating debt, increasing unemployment and home foreclosures that produced the current economic slowdown we’re in. All summer, as news grew increasingly bearish, with newspaper headlines suggesting the greenback was about to crash and burn, more and more market analysts […] Read more
Drozd: Harami predicted strong U.S. dollar weighing on grain prices
Self-directed RMP ready for Ontario hort growers
Growers of edible horticulture crops in Ontario are now able to take part in their own self-directed version of the province’s Risk Management Program (RMP). Eligible producers can now open a self-directed risk management (SDRM) account and deposit funds, which are then matched by a government contribution, the province’s farm program delivery agency Agricorp said […] Read more
Richardson buys Ont. margarine maker
Canada's second-biggest grain handler has expanded its stake in the margarine business eastward, buying a processor with facilities in Ontario and New Brunswick. Winnipeg-based Richardson International on Monday announced a deal effective Oct. 1 to buy Innovative Foods, which makes margarine and shortenings at Mississauga, Ont. and Sussex, N.B. This sale -- the financial terms[...]
P.E.I. agriculture minister re-elected
Prince Edward Island's agriculture minister is among the members of the province's Liberal caucus heading back to the legislature after a convincing win Monday night. In unofficial results posted late Monday by Elections P.E.I., Premier Robert Ghiz's Liberals held only a slightly smaller majority, elected or leading in 22 of 27 districts, with the remaining[...]
Quebec to dial back ASRA premiums for 2011-12
Quebec's ag financing agency plans to further soften its planned changes for its ASRA income stabilization program, by lowering farmers' premiums and allowing hog farmers an extra break on ASRA's revised average costs of production. La Financiere agricole de Quebec (FADQ) has been under fire since last year for its planned changes to ASRA --[...]
Manitoba’s KAP bows out of CWB fight
Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), once a steadfast supporter of the Canadian Wheat Board, now accepts the board is going lose its single desk. Manitoba's largest farm group now wants to ensure farmers benefit from the controversial change, says KAP president Doug Chorney. "We're just facing the reality of the circumstances that we find ourselves in,"[...]
Jump anticipated in StatsCan production survey
Grain and oilseed production estimates in a 2011-12 crop survey, due out Tuesday from Statistics Canada, are expected to mainly show a jump in output from the previous report, according to industry projections. “The general sentiment among individuals is that production, particularly in Western Canada, will be higher based on yields coming in at better […] Read more
“Lack of innovation” hits N.B. beer volumes
Beer sales were up but volumes down through New Brunswick's liquor retail network in fiscal 2011, a statistic NB Liquor chalks up to the economy but also to a "lack of innovation in domestic mainstream beer." The Crown liquor agency on Wednesday booked beer sales of $229.6 million for its year ending March 31, 2011,[...]
Cut rate extended for CFIA livestock export paperwork
Shippers of livestock and embryos from Canada can expect their export certification fees to stay the same for about the next two years. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Thursday it will continue to cap its user fees at $75 until September 2013 for a specific list of livestock and embryo industries. Between now and […] Read more
Syngenta’s early shot falls short in biotech corn suit
Grain handling giant Bunge won’t have to accept a type of biotech corn at its elevators while the corn’s developer prepares to take the handler to court. Bunge North America reported this week that a Monday ruling from a U.S. Federal District Court denies Syngenta Seeds’ request for a preliminary injunction in the suit it […] Read more
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