Dow and DuPont have reached a proposed agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that will allow the companies to proceed with their merger. The deal, which is still subject to court approval, would require DuPont divest some of its crop protection portfolio, while Dow would divest some of its plastic copolymers and ionomers business…. Read more »
Category: Ag Business
Enlist corn to be released for 2018 planting
Nearly five years after it was approved in Canada, Dow AgroSciences says Enlist corn will be available in Canada and the U.S. for the 2018 growing season. The launch comes after China’s Ministry of Agriculture gave its long-awaited approval to imports of corn containing the Enlist trait this week. The Enlist system combines tolerance to… Read more »
Ontario fruit and vegetable growers say minimum wage hike would devastate industry
The Ontario Liberal government’s plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2019 is drawing fire from the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA). In late May, the provincial government announced intentions to increase the minimum wage from the current $11.40 per hour rate. That’s a significant blow for an industry… Read more »
Syngenta exiting canola seed business
Four and a half years after unveiling its first canola variety in Canada, Syngenta has decided to change its course and leave the canola seed business in Canada. The company confirmed the decision in a statement shared with Real Agriculture: “We regularly evaluate all aspects of our business. As part of these activities, we have recently taken the decision to… Read more »
Volatile times — how innovation and climate change impact risk management programs
Crop yields continue to increase across North America, but so do yield and market volatility. According to Dr. Alan Ker, director of the University of Guelph’s Institute for the Advanced Study of Food and Agricultural Policy, increased volatility is something farmers will have to get used to as the impact of innovation and climate change… Read more »
Canadian net farm income grew 7.6% in 2016: StatsCan
StatsCan has released its net farm income report for 2016 and the results may surprise you considering the livestock and commodity market that producers faced. According to the report, revenue held fairly stable while it was declining operating expenses that allowed net farm income to rise. A full breakdown of the report, including provincial comparisons,… Read more »
Should ‘vertical’ factory farms get a free pass?
In a recent Fast Company magazine article there was a feature on the benefits of using technology to produce food. The article praised the efficiency gains made by implementing the latest in what technology could provide. The farm in the article is located in San Francisco. That’s right, it’s a vertical farm. The company’s name… Read more »
Glencore eyeing acquisition of Bunge
Global commodity giant Glencore — the majority owner of Regina-based grain company Viterra — is looking to expand its agriculture business, and has approached Bunge about a possible takeover. In a statement on Tuesday, Glencore confirmed it has “made an informal approach to Bunge Limited regarding a possible consensual business combination.” Glencore notes “discussions may… Read more »
Canada’s 2017 first quarter ag equipment sales are stronger than a year ago
According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers April 2017 Flash Report, Canadian tractor and combine sales are very strong when you take into account both the month to month and year to date numbers. Here are some highlights: Year to date – 4WD tractor sales are up 48.6% in comparison to 2016 Year to date… Read more »
Ontario farm leaders head south to keep U.S. ag trade flowing
Starting Wednesday, Ontario ag leaders are headed south of the border to try to mend some of the trade fences that embattled U.S. President Donald Trump has crashed through. Led by Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs minister Jeff Leal, the group – which includes representatives from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the… Read more »
Growing agri-food industry shaping Guelph’s OAC programs
The agri-food industry needs more highly qualified people, and the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) is looking for ways to help meet the demand. Producing more graduates is both a challenge and tremendous opportunity, says OAC dean Dr. Rene Van Acker. A study released five years ago indicated that there were three jobs… Read more »
Watching for ‘Cow Signals’ is time well spent
Every time a cow takes a lame step or stands for a long period of time she’s sending a signal. Farmers who read those signals and respond with efforts to improve cow comfort are rewarded with increased cow longevity and more profit in their pocket. That’s the return on investing in Cow Signals, according to Agribrands… Read more »
LibertyLink is up for sale — who will buy it?
In order to get the $66 billion purchase of Monsanto finalized, Bayer has agreed to sell its LibertyLink trait and herbicide portfolio, according to Reuters. The Competition Commission of South Africa announced the stipulation earlier this week, to which Bayer has reportedly agreed. The divestiture of some traits doesn’t come as a surprise to most, with… Read more »
What’s in it for Agriculture? The Liberal Budget Breakdown
The Ontario Liberals are spending big, but there’s not a whole lot in the 2017-18 provincial budget for agri-food and rural Ontario. The Liberals are going to balance the budget but they are going to spend more than $140 billion in this fiscal year and push the provincial debt over $300 billion. There’s big money… Read more »
Creating a ‘Silicon Valley’ for Food in Ontario
Around the globe, agriculture and food systems produce about 2,850 calories per person per day. That’s enough to feed the world explains University of Guelph professor Evan Fraser, but unfortunately we still have 800 million people who are undernourished. Even more perplexing is the fact that we have 2 billion people who struggle with being… Read more »