IGC raises forecast for 2014-15 global corn crop

London | Reuters — The International Grains Council on Thursday raised its forecast for the 2014-15 world corn (maize) crop, reflecting an upward revision to production in China. Global corn production was forecast to total 982 million tonnes, up from a previous forecast of 980 million and just shy of the prior season’s record 984 […] Read more

Argentina sees wheat harvest of 12 million tonnes

Buenos Aires | Reuters –– Argentine farmers will harvest 12 million tonnes of wheat in the 2014-15 crop year, the agriculture ministry said in its monthly report Thursday, issuing its first wheat crop estimate of the season. Argentina’s 2013-14 wheat harvest was 9.2 million tonnes, according to official data. “Losses have been seen in parts […] Read more


Monsanto settles U.S. farmers’ suits over experimental wheat

Reuters — Monsanto Co. said Wednesday it reached a settlement with U.S. wheat farmers who sued the seed company over market disruption after unapproved genetically engineered wheat was discovered growing without oversight in Oregon. Monsanto’s Roundup Ready wheat, which was never approved by U.S. regulators and which the company said it stopped testing a decade […] Read more

Australian farmers hold back wheat sales as dryness curbs yields

Reuters — Australian farmers are holding back wheat crop sales as dryness in parts of the country’s eastern grain belt cuts yields, raising the likelihood for a boost to global prices that have dropped 13 per cent this year. Farmers in the world’s fourth biggest wheat exporter have sold only about a quarter of this […] Read more



Russia’s winter grains still at risk despite warm weather – analyst

* Warm November to help Russia’s winter grains – SovEcon * Says some farmers hold crops due to the falling rouble * SovEcon sees Nov. grain exports at 3.0-3.2 mln T Paris/Moscow / Reuters – Warm weather last week did not eliminate risks for Russia’s fragile winter grain plantings, said a Moscow-based agriculture consultancy SovEcon, warning […] Read more


Ergot – low levels cause big problems

Ergot – low levels cause big problems

Ergot develops when a fungus called Claviceps purpurea infects susceptible grass and grain plants during flowering. Rye is the most susceptible annual crop, followed by triticale, then wheat. Barley and oats are less susceptible but not completely resistant. Ergot is not a concern in corn but it can infect a number of perennial grasses. Cool, […] Read more