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U.S. EPA proposes hike in 2020 biofuel mandate

Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday proposed refiners increase the volume of biofuels blended into their annual fuel output but did not reallocate the waived amounts under the hardship program, drawing ire from powerful corn and biofuel groups as well as Republican senators. The EPA is charged with setting


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Farmers conflicted on falling number as grade factor

The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) and Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) have advocated for adding falling number (FN) as a grading factor in the past, but now both groups say they need more information to ensure farmers would be better off before endorsing the change. “The (Grain and Oilseeds) committee has expressed concern with the lack

Grain companies and farm groups are questioning whether moving to more specific measures of wheat quality provide enough benefit relative to the cost.

Grain-grading factors spur industry debate

Grain companies and farm groups question whether moving to more specific measures of wheat quality provide enough benefit relative to the cost

Western Canada’s major grain companies strongly oppose making falling number (FN) and DON official grading factors for wheat under the Canada Grain Act. And at least two farm groups — the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) and Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) — are wary of the idea and want more information before any change. “The WGEA


CBOT August 2019 soybeans, with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans slide in post-holiday markets

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures settled down almost two per cent on Friday, pressured by relatively ample U.S. stockpiles as traders shrugged off support from strong weekly export sales. Analysts attributed the weakness in futures to improved U.S. crop weather and uncertainty about demand for U.S. soybeans, given large carry-over supplies from the

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Alberta extends deadline again for farm trucker training

Alberta farmers who want the Class 1 license needed to drive commercial-scale tractor trailers but haven’t yet met the new training requirements can now apply for another extension to do so. The provincial transportation department on Friday announced further extensions are now available for farmers and farm workers seeking Class 1 licenses and for school


EU flags in front of the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels. (Jorisvo/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S., Canada, 14 others slam EU farm product regulation at WTO

Geneva | Reuters — The United States and 15 other countries launched a broadside of criticism at the European Union on Thursday, saying its “hazard-based” approach to regulating pesticides and other “critical tools” used by farmers was damaging livelihoods worldwide. Their statement, submitted to the World Trade Organization, said the EU’s approach created great uncertainty

CBOT September 2019 wheat with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn climbs on crop concerns

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn, soybean and wheat futures all settled higher on Wednesday on technical buying and as traders adjusted positions ahead of the U.S. Independence Day holiday. The September corn contract on the Chicago Board of Trade settled up 17-3/4 cents at $4.36-3/4 a bushel (all figures US$). The August contract for


Edwin Hardeman, at right with his attorneys Jennifer Moore (left) and Aimee Wagstaff, speaks to the media, after Bayer was found liable for Hardeman’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma arising from his use of Roundup herbicide, at a federal courthouse in San Francisco on March 27, 2019. (Photo: Reuters/Alexandria Sage)

Judge to slash US$80 million Roundup jury verdict

Reuters — A U.S. judge on Tuesday said he would reduce a US$80 million damage award against Bayer to US$50 million or less in the case of a man who blamed his cancer on glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco said the jury’s $75 million punitive damages award to plaintiff

CBOT Spetember 2019 corn with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn settles up as crop rated below expectations

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn futures closed higher for the first time in five sessions on Tuesday on technical buying and lower-than-expected condition ratings for developing U.S. crops, analysts said. Following widespread U.S. planting delays this spring, traders have shifted their attention to production prospects for crops that got seeded. Periodic light rains expected