
Fertilizer

U.N. efforts to save Black Sea grain deal to continue in coming days
Russia demands include restarting ammonia pipeline
United Nations | Reuters — The U.N. aid chief said on Monday efforts will continue in coming days to extend a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, a pact Russia has threatened to quit effective Thursday over obstacles to its grain and fertilizer exports. The final two ships are due to […] Read more

Nutrien cuts earnings forecast after quarterly profit misses estimates
High fertilizer prices seen dragging on demand
Reuters — Nutrien Ltd. on Wednesday cut its forecast for 2023 earnings as elevated fertilizer prices owed to Western sanctions on Russia and Belarus weigh on demand. U.S.-listed shares of the company fell 3.9 per cent in extended trading Wednesday as it also reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit. Though fertilizer prices have dipped from record […] Read more

Feds lock in higher interest-free portion on cash advances
Budget boost in effect as of Monday
A further temporary increase to the interest-free chunk of cash advances available to Canadian farmers, as telegraphed in March’s federal budget, has now gone live. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau confirmed Wednesday that the interest-free limit under the Advance Payments Program (APP) for the 2023 program year is now $350,000, effective Monday (May 8). The regulatory […] Read more

Canada will not be intimidated by China retaliation, Trudeau says
China seen as 'more sensitive about food security' now, CAPI says
Ottawa | Reuters — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Canada will not be intimidated by China following tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions by Ottawa and Beijing. Ottawa expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei on Monday over allegations related to foreign interference, and hours later, China asked a Canadian diplomat in Shanghai to leave by Saturday in […] Read more

Forages offer protection from flooding
Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen
Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre predicted a major risk of spring flooding along the Red River a few days before this column was written. Spring floods are an annual concern in Manitoba. High precipitation, heavy soils and a flat topography mean that floodwaters can spread with devastating consequences, especially when ice jams prevent meltwater from flowing […] Read more

Mosaic misses profit estimates on lower prices of fertilizers
Farmers seen waiting on prices to stabilize
Reuters — Mosaic Co. on Wednesday missed Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit on lower prices of potash and other crop fertilizers, even as the fertilizer maker sold higher volumes. Although prices of fertilizers such as phosphates and potash decreased during the reported quarter, it did not boost demand as farmers waited for pricing trends […] Read more

Russia to keep talking with UN before Black Sea deal deadline
Deal on table for talks Friday in Istanbul
Moscow | Reuters — Russia said on Wednesday that it will keep talking to the United Nations about the future of a deal that allows the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, but would not do anything to harm its own interests. Top UN trade official Rebeca Grynspan is due to travel to Moscow […] Read more

Another take on livestock GHGs
UC Davis professor says the source of methane is carbon that was already in the atmosphere
A professor and air quality specialist in co-operative extension in the department of animal science at UC Davis in California says the topic of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and how they affect climate is not always well understood. Dr. Frank Mitloehner took on the topic in his opening address to the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s […] Read more

Russian envoy says no breakthrough on grain deal
Ukraine says Moscow blocking ships
Geneva | Reuters — Russia’s envoy to the United Nations in Geneva on Wednesday said “no real progress” had been achieved in resolving issues raised by Moscow over the Black Sea grain deal, which is set to expire next month. Separately, Ukraine accused Russia of blocking the passage of four grain ships from its Black […] Read more

Moscow would scrap grain deal if G7 bans exports, Medvedev warns
G7 said to be considering blanket ban on exports to Russia
Reuters — Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday that if the G7 moved to ban exports to Russia, Moscow would respond by terminating the Black Sea Grain deal that enables vital exports of grain from Ukraine. The Group of Seven (G7) countries are considering a near-total ban on exports to Russia, Japan’s Kyodo […] Read more