(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Smallest ag markets biggest winners in commodities rout

New York | Reuters –– Some of the smallest niche agricultural commodities were the biggest winners this year as weather and disease raised concerns about tightening supplies, spurring a buying spree as an exodus of institutional cash punished oil, metals and grains markets. Cocoa, cotton, sugar and frozen concentrated orange juice on ICE Futures U.S. […] Read more


(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. grains: Soy and grains post annual declines

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell on Thursday as traders eyed forecasts for much-needed rains in Brazil, while corn and wheat ended narrowly mixed in light year-end trading. All three commodities posted annual declines for 2015. Markets will be closed on Friday for the New Year’s Day holiday. “Going into the weekend with […] Read more

(McCain Foods Ltd. photo)

McCain french fry plant gets public funds for upgrades

CORRECTED, Jan. 13, 2016: The Manitoba and federal governments are dipping into an agribusiness support fund to cover half the cost of equipment upgrades for McCain Foods’ french fry plant in the province’s southwest. Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and provincial Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn on Wednesday announced $380,000 from the Growing Value program for […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. grain prices soar as floods shut waterways, threaten crops

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. grain farmers scrambled to find shelter for their crops and handlers hunted for alternative transportation routes, as widespread floods shut waterways from Illinois to Missouri and spurred a surge in physical prices of corn and soybeans. The sudden jump in prices could complicate a months-long stand-off between farmers who are […] Read more

(Versatile-Ag.ca)

Equipment maker Buhler books year-end loss

Weak commodity prices and political unease in Eastern Europe have led to a year-end loss for Canadian farm equipment and Versatile tractor maker Buhler Industries. Winnipeg-based Buhler on Tuesday reported a net loss of $5.3 million on revenues of $245.7 million for its year ending Sept. 30, down from a $12.5 million profit on $325.5 […] Read more


CDC Haymaker is a new forage oat and one of the first SeCan varieties protected by the breeder under the provisions of PBR 91.

Beefed-up plant breeders’ rights

Plant breeders’ rights may not be at the top of your need-to-know list, but taking a few moments to acquaint yourself with the new regulations could save a lot of grief in the long run. Todd Hyra, SeCan’s business manager for Western Canada, explains what plant breeders’ rights (PBR) are all about and why this […] Read more



(Doug Wilson photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Canada’s organic market to focus on special crops in 2016

CNS Canada — The spotlight is on special crops in Canada’s organic market, as new-crop bids for 2016 start to appear. “It’s a bit of a switch from normal,” said Laura Telford, organic sector development specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at Portage la Prairie. Normally producers see high demand and prices for […] Read more

Floods close two Ardent flour mills

Reuters — Two Illinois flour mills near the Mississippi River and operated by Ardent Mills were shuttered because of flooding this week, the company told Reuters on Wednesday. Ardent, the largest U.S. flour miller, operated jointly by Cargill, ConAgra Foods and CHS Inc., said the mills in Chester and Alton will remain closed “until the […] Read more