Sugar beets. (Photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Alberta, Ontario sugar beet producers hope for good year

MarketsFarm — Sugar beet farmers in Canada’s two main growing provinces are hoping for a good year, according to the leaders their respective provincial associations. Wet conditions extended planting in Ontario, said Rob McKerrall, chair of the Ontario Sugarbeet Growers’ Association (OSGA). “There was probably a third of the crop went in fairly early. It […] Read more


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USDA outlines first-ever rule for GMO labeling

Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday laid out its first-ever requirements for labeling of genetically engineered, or GMO, foods as early as 2020, a rule met with praise from some farmers and criticism from consumer groups. Consumers have been pushing for years for greater transparency over what is in their […] Read more

Sugar beets. (Photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

DLF to buy Syngenta sugar beet seed business

One of the world’s biggest forage seed firms is set to enter the sugar beet seed business by buying Syngenta’s. Swiss ag chemical and seed firm Syngenta announced Thursday it will sell its sugar beet seed business to Danish forage and turf seed producer DLF Seeds for an undisclosed sum. “Sugar beet seeds is a […] Read more


(Monsanto.com)

Michigan Sugar beet co-op scoops up cane refiner

Miami | Reuters — Beet sugar co-operative Michigan Sugar has agreed to buy the assets of AmCane Sugar, one of the cane companies hardest hit by a trade deal with Mexico limiting U.S. imports of the sweetener, according to a company official and statement. The sale comes as AmCane is embroiled in litigation in the Court […] Read more