(Photo courtesy Agrium)

Russia considering export duties on fertilizers

Stavropol | Reuters –– Russia’s government is looking into introducing duties on exports of mineral fertilizers to make them more affordable for the country’s farmers, President Vladimir Putin said Monday. Meeting his loyalists from the pro-Kremlin public movement, the All-Russia People’s Front, Putin heard compalints from a farmer saying that massive exports of mineral fertilizers […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Philippines rush new GMO rules to avert import disruption

Manila | Reuters — The Philippines is set to issue new rules next month on GMO imports, seeking to avert food supply disruptions when a court-ordered stoppage kicks in as import permits for livestock feed expire this year, government officials said. In a landmark ruling in December, the country’s Supreme Court struck down a 2002 government […] Read more


(PortoDoItaqui.ma.gov.br)

Vessel demand concerns extend Baltic index fall

Reuters — The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying industrial commodities, extended its record low run to a 14th straight session on Friday on persistent vessel glut and weak demand. The overall Baltic Dry Index, which gauges the cost of shipping dry bulk including iron ore, cement, grain, coal […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. grains: Corn, wheat post small gains

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn futures inched higher in end-of-week consolidation trade on Friday, supported by some fresh global supply concerns and stronger-than-expected export data, traders said. Chicago Board of Trade soft red winter wheat also firmed slightly, with mild short-covering lending support. Ample global supplies but weak demand for U.S. […] Read more


Ardent’s Illinois flour mills reopened

Chicago | Reuters –– Ardent Mills, the largest U.S. flour miller, said operations resumed on Thursday at its mill at Chester, Illinois, that had been closed since Dec. 29 due to near-record flooding on the Mississippi River. Mill staff “have gone ‘above and beyond’ to conduct extensive cleaning and sanitizing to return the mill back […] Read more

VIDEO: Driverless tractors and open-source software

VIDEO: Driverless tractors and open-source software

Reimer Robotics takes first prize in Manitoba Ag Days Inventors' Showcase

Matthew Reimer was as surprised as anyone when he was awarded first prize for his driverless tractor system at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon on Jan. 20, but his invention is worthy of the title. The Inventors’ Showcase winner, and president of Reimer Robotics, has built a system to move tractors – driverless no less, with […] Read more


(NSCorp.com)

CP’s Norfolk bid riles U.S. railroads

Chicago | Reuters –– A legal protest by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) over a meeting among big U.S. railroads about mergers in their industry has highlighted manoeuvring in the sector to cope with a rapid downturn and possible consolidation. Calgary-based CP on Tuesday asked the U.S. Justice Department to look into statements by U.S. railroads, […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Agrium)

PotashCorp mine closure may see Canpotex port shelved

Reuters — PotashCorp’s decision this week to suspend production at its last New Brunswick mine may lead it to shelve plans to build a new West Coast shipping terminal with partners Mosaic Co. and Agrium, CEO Jochen Tilk said on Thursday. Canpotex Ltd., owned by the three companies, has been considering construction of the terminal at […] Read more