European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker — shown here at right with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last November — has taken the EU’s free trade pact with Canada off the fast track by allowing each EU member nation’s parliament to ratify the deal. (PM.gc.ca)

EU bows to pressure, gives member parliaments say in Canada trade deal

Brussels | Reuters –– The European Commission bowed to pressure to give Europe’s parliaments the right to ratify a landmark free-trade deal with Canada, a decision meant to address public concerns but which could wreck Europe’s broader trade strategy. In the face of popular suspicion about secretive trade deals benefiting big companies, Commission President Jean-Claude

Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: No. 10

Conditions as of July 4, 2016

The warmer and drier weather conditions were welcomed by Manitoba producers. All crop types, particularly the warm season crops including grain corn and soybeans, are benefiting from the warmer weather. The more favourable weather conditions are allowing some acres impacted by excess moisture to recover. However, continuing wet field conditions and symptoms of excess moisture


Along with a number of information sessions, Manitoba Hay Day held an equipment 
demo with various makes of central pivot disc mowers and balers.

A nice day to make hay

Manitoba Hay Day provided attendees with details on cutting time, 
equipment tips, baling recommendations and an on-site equipment demo

Hay Day has a new home. The annual Manitoba Agriculture event was held for the first time at the Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiative’s (MFBI) Brookdale site after two years in participating farmers’ fields. It attracted more than 100 producers seeking information on how to produce top-quality hay every season and featured extension specialists from



Nobel Prizes, funded through the last will of Swedish chemist and inventor Alfred Nobel, have been issued since 1901 to honour outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature, and for work in peace. (Pi Frisk photo copyright Nobel Media AB, 2015)

Nobel laureates urge Greenpeace to stop opposing GMOs

Washington | Reuters — More than 100 Nobel laureates called on the international environmental group Greenpeace on Thursday to end its opposition to genetically modified crops, saying there is a scientific consensus they are safe and can benefit society. At a news conference, the scientists cited in particular the value of a genetically modified rice



Eastern Ontario, parts of the Near North and a region bounded by Essex to Niagara are the worst hit by excessive dryness. (Map courtesy Weather INnovations)

Pearce: Precipitation maps have Ontario farmers seeing red

It’s official: Spring 2016 will go down as an excessively dry season for Ontario growers — and most hope the summer will be considerably wetter. Last week, we cited reports of stressed-but-surviving corn and soybean crops in midwestern Ontario, which had received spotty showers early in the week. The crops were showing signs of drought-stress

(Dave Bedard photo)

Monsanto in talks with Bayer, others about ‘strategic options’

Chicago | Reuters — Monsanto is in talks with Bayer and other companies regarding “alternative strategic options,” a month after it rejected the German company’s US$62 billion takeover offer, the U.S. seed producer said on Wednesday. Monsanto’s options include combinations with other companies and businesses in the sector beyond Bayer. Potential deals could involve BASF


Manitoba Crop Report and Crop Weather report: No. 9

Conditions as of June 27, 2016

Severe weather systems containing strong winds, heavy rains and hail passed through several regions of Manitoba over the weekend. Damage to crops from hail and strong winds range from light to severe with assessments continuing over the next several days. The wet weather conditions continue to impact crops in many areas of the province as