(Cat.com)

Caterpillar says compliant with tax laws after IRS claim

Reuters — Caterpillar Inc. said Friday it was compliant with tax laws, a week after federal law enforcement officials raided three of the company’s buildings in connection with a probe into the heavy machinery manufacturer’s offshore tax practices. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has challenged the company’s taxes for the years 2007-2012, the company said

(Dave Bedard photo)

Bayer, Monsanto start asset sale toward merger clearance

Frankfurt | Reuters — German drug and crop chemical maker Bayer and U.S. seeds company Monsanto are launching asset sales worth roughly US$2.5 billion as they seek regulatory clearance for their US$66 billion merger, people close to the matter said. To kick off an auction process, Bayer’s advisors will send out information packages next week



(Quinoa.com)

CCGA cash advance applications out early

Among other changes to the program, applications are available earlier this year for spring cash advances through the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA). The CCGA on Thursday announced it’s now accepting applications for the 2017-18 advance payments program (APP), which offers cash advances on 45 different crop and livestock commodities. The CCGA is the administrative


Saskatchewan seed grower Kevin Elmy says cover crops are the future, but admits it’s not an easy system to learn.

Cover crops offer big potential, pose bigger learning curve

It’s got easier to draw a crowd for a cover crop talk, but those looking 
for a one-size-fits-all solution will be disappointed

Looking over at the emptied room that had been packed with attentive farmers a few minutes earlier, cover crops guru Kevin Elmy could only shake his head. “If I had given a talk here five years ago, maybe the front row might have been filled — maybe,” the Saskatchewan farmer said after his FarmTech presentation,



Global warming will mean a longer growing season and more forage production — as long as there’s enough water.

‘Change’ is the watchword in a warming world, says researcher

Longer summers and milder winters sound nice, but even the pluses come with some negatives

How will the Canadian cattle industry fare if global temperatures continue to rise? Count a reduced feed demand, a longer grazing season, and higher forage production among the benefits — but also expect more extreme weather, pests, and transport headaches, according to University of Manitoba research scientist Kim Ominski. “We know the future of our

A rail car from SGCC’s fleet. (Dave Bedard photo)

Saskatchewan ponders changes to ag extension model

Saskatchewan’s agriculture ministry is considering an overhaul of its delivery system for ag extension services, in time for a new federal/provincial funding framework next year. Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart on Tuesday announced a new online survey on the subject for farmers, ranchers and agribusiness operators, running until the end of the month. Extension delivery in


Syngenta’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo courtesy Syngenta)

ChemChina says Syngenta deal filing accepted by Beijing

Beijing | Reuters –– ChemChina said Monday that Beijing had accepted its application for regulatory approval of its US$43 billion takeover of Syngenta last month. Earlier Gao Hucheng, who retired as commerce minister less than two weeks ago, said the government had not received a formal filing for China’s largest overseas acquisition. Speaking to Reuters