Rainfall for July 13, 2016 as of 6:40 p.m. CT. (CoCoRaHS.org)

Storms trim potential for big Prairie crops

Reuters — Heavy rain and strong winds are likely to curb the potential for Western Canada’s crops, government officials said, but the harvest may still be bigger than average. Pockets across Saskatchewan, Canada’s biggest wheat- and canola-growing province, received as much as five inches of rain, strong winds and hail since Sunday. The storms flattened […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

ICE weekly outlook: Weather market ahead

CNS Canada — ICE Futures Canada canola prices edged up on the week, propped up by soggy Prairie fields and the anticipation for warm, dry weather in the U.S. Going forward, the market will be dominated by fund trading and weather-watching. “Funds are net short right now, and that’s something different, because we’ve rallied back […] Read more



(Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. GMO food labeling bill passes Senate

UPDATED, July 7, 2016 | Reuters — The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved legislation that would for the first time require food to carry labels listing genetically-modified ingredients, which labeling supporters say could create loopholes for some U.S. crops. The Senate voted 63-30 for the bill that would display GMO contents with words, pictures or […] Read more



(Dave Bedard photo)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola looks for bounce-back

CNS Canada –– ICE Futures Canada canola contracts sunk lower during the week ended Wednesday, pressured by fund selling and a drop in the U.S. soy complex. However, there could be some relief in sight, as the market looks to correct itself. “Funds coming into this week were huge, longs in soybeans and corn; they’re […] Read more


Fourth of July celebrations at Vermont’s State House in Montpelier. (Legislature.vermont.gov)

Quebec again ponders mandatory GMO labelling

Quebec’s agriculture minister has telegraphed an interest in following the lead of a next-door neighbour to require mandatory labelling for foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The province’s governing Liberals previously called for such a system, making a GMO label law part of their election platform back in 2003, but have been quiet about their […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Agrium to buy Cargill’s U.S. ag retail business

Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. grain trader Cargill has agreed to sell its ag retail business in the United States to crop input seller and distributor Agrium, the companies said Wednesday. Calgary-based Agrium, North America’s largest retail seller of crop inputs such as seed, fertilizer and pesticides, will acquire 18 ag retail locations in Nebraska, […] Read more


European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker — shown here at right with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last November — has taken the EU’s free trade pact with Canada off the fast track by allowing each EU member nation’s parliament to ratify the deal. (PM.gc.ca)

EU bows to pressure, gives member parliaments say in Canada trade deal

Brussels | Reuters –– The European Commission bowed to pressure to give Europe’s parliaments the right to ratify a landmark free-trade deal with Canada, a decision meant to address public concerns but which could wreck Europe’s broader trade strategy. In the face of popular suspicion about secretive trade deals benefiting big companies, Commission President Jean-Claude […] Read more