New Delhi | Reuters — India’s cabinet approved on Wednesday doubling state purchases of oilseeds and pulses from farmers, in a bid to boost local output and prevent distressed sales. The amount that state agencies guarantee to buy at pre-set prices will double to 190 billion rupees (C$3.7 billion) for a five-year period ending in […] Read more
India to double state purchases of oilseeds, pulses
Norway to upgrade ‘doomsday’ seed vault
Oslo | Reuters — Norway plans to spend 100 million Norwegian crowns (C$16.1 million) to upgrade a doomsday seed vault on an Arctic island built 10 years ago to protect the world’s food supplies, the government said on Friday. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is meant as a natural deep freeze to back up the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle extend losses
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle on Thursday lost ground for a second day in a row, weighed down by lower cash prices and an increased supply outlook, traders said. They said sell stops and fund liquidation contributed to market declines. Some investors adjusted positions before the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) […] Read more
KFC closes most U.K. stores due to chicken shortage
London | Reuters — Fast-food chain KFC said on Monday it had been forced to close hundreds of its British stores because of a shortage of chicken. The problem arose at the weekend after the chain switched its delivery contract to DHL, forcing the majority of its 900 outlets in Britain to shut. “We’ve brought […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Weaker cash, pork prices drop CME hogs
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures on Friday were pressured by lower cash and wholesale pork prices, said traders. They said February futures lost technical support while other contracts triggered sell stops after drifting below Thursday’s lows. February hogs closed down 0.225 cent/lb. to 73.175 cents, below the 20-day moving average […] Read more
U.S. Congress near deal on tax law’s impact on grain market
Washington | Reuters — U.S. lawmakers are close to resolving a problem with the new federal tax law that gives grain co-operatives an unintended market edge over private companies, but have had a hard time getting agreement among members of the farm sector, a Republican senator said Thursday. A provision in the Republican tax overhaul […] Read more
La Nina seen likely to fade by spring
Reuters — The current La Nina weather cycle is likely to transition into more neutral conditions by spring, a U.S. government weather forecaster said Thursday. La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and is linked with floods and droughts. It is the opposite phase of what is known […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle end mostly weaker
Chicago | Reuters — Most Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts on Thursday posted modest losses after a volatile session, as investors waited for cattle in the U.S. Plains to change hands, traders said. February futures drew support from wintry weather across the western Corn Belt that threatens to disrupt livestock production. February live cattle […] Read more
German coalition deal sets no timetable to end glyphosate use
Hamburg | Reuters –– Germany’s draft coalition government deal includes a goal of ending use of glyphosate herbicide within the country, but gives no time frame, after Berlin swung a vote in November extending its use across the European Union. The timing of an end to glyphosate use has been highly controversial in Europe amid […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Funds, supply worries extend CME hogs’ losses
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs on Wednesday finished lower for a second straight day following another round of fund liquidation, along with increased supply expectations, traders said. February, which will expire on Feb. 14, was pressured by lower market-ready, or cash, hog prices as packers try to stabilize their slipping margins. […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
