(Syngenta.com)

In bid for Syngenta, Monsanto woos U.S. farmer support

Reuters — As Monsanto struggles to convince rival Syngenta to discuss a potential merger, the seed and agrochemical giant is also wooing U.S. farmers, aiming to ease concerns about the proposed tie-up that could prompt regulatory challenges. Company executives have been criss-crossing the U.S. heartland, meeting with soybean and corn growers and a range of […] Read more



A diamondback pupa. (Photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Genetically modified diamondback moth offers pest control hope

London | Reuters –– Scientists in Britain say they have developed a way of genetically modifying and controlling an invasive species of moth that causes serious pest damage to cabbages, kale, canola and other similar crops worldwide. In what they said could be a pesticide-free and environmentally-friendly way to control insect pests, the scientists, from […] Read more



(Syngenta.com)

Influential hedge fund takes stake in Syngenta

Reuters — Hedge fund Paulson + Co. has taken a stake in Syngenta, and could push for the board of directors of the Swiss pesticide maker to accept a takeover offer from U.S. seed company Monsanto, people familiar with the matter said Tuesday. Monsanto, the world’s largest seed company, made a US$45 billion bid for […] Read more

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper meet at Meech Lake’s Willson House at Chelsea, Que. on Tuesday. (Deb Ransom photo courtesy PMO)

Talks wrap on Canada/Ukraine free trade pact

Canada’s crop and livestock producers expect to benefit soon from a free trade agreement with Ukraine, on which the two countries’ governments have now formally completed talks. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Tuesday, during a visit from Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, that trade negotiations between the two countries wrapped up in Kiev on July 9, and […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Architect of the Capitol, VisitTheCapitol.gov)

U.S. House committee approves block on mandatory GMO labels

Reuters — U.S. food companies and other opponents of genetically modified food labeling notched a key victory on Tuesday as the House of Representatives’ agriculture committee approved a measure banning mandatory labeling as well as local efforts to regulate genetically engineered crops. The move demonstrates fresh momentum for those seeking to block mandated labeling of […] Read more

The red-belted bumblebee, shown here visiting a lupine, is among the species shown to be “responding very badly” to climate changes across continents. (Jeremy Kerr photo)

Study of bumblebee decline points to climate ‘vise’

A study of the shrinking range of bumblebee habitat suggests farmers relying on those species to pollinate crops may soon have to look elsewhere, barring a reversal of climate change — or, perhaps, an “assisted migration.” An international study of specimens from 31 species of bumblebees in North America and 36 such species in Europe, as […] Read more



(Dave Bedard photo)

ICE weekly outlook: Weather still key for canola

CNS Canada –– The ICE Futures Canada canola market moved lower during the week ended Wednesday, as speculators took profits on a recent rally that saw values hit fresh contract highs. Spillover pressure from the declines in Chicago soybean futures was also bearish for values. There were some reports of improving weather conditions for the […] Read more