After low interest through November and December, farmers in Western Canada are starting to book fertilizer for the spring, according to Viterra Inc. officials participating in the company’s recent conference call. A late harvest in Western Canada, combined with poor weather conditions and farmer uncertainty associated with declining fertilizer and crop prices, led to very
Fertilizer sales picking up in Western Canada
New-Crop Malting Barley Prices Fail To Excite
Farmers in Western Canada are less than enthusiastic about early new crop malting barley prices. Rahr Malting Canada Ltd. in Alix, Alberta had been offering between $4.25 to $4.50 (farm gate) for 2009-10 malting barley but those prices were met with minimal interest from farmers, said Kevin Sich, the barley manager for the Minnesota-based malt
Obama warns on “Buy America,” gives hope for COOL
(Resource News International) — While the new U.S. administration decides whether it will re-open the debate on country-of-origin-labelling (COOL) legislation, Canadian livestock groups hope President Barack Obama’s recent warnings on “Buy America” provisions show a commitment to pragmatism, not ideology. COOL legislation was thrown into limbo Jan. 22 when Obama put a hold on all
No surprises seen in StatsCan stocks report
(Resource News International) —Statistics Canada’s grain and oilseed stocks in all positions report for the period ended Dec. 31, 2008 held no surprises for the industry on Thursday. Instead, the high and, in some cases, record total stocks numbers were largely in line with expectations given high seeded acres and strong yields during the 2008-09
B.C. port labour talks to resume Feb. 12
(Resource News International) — Federally appointed mediators have set Feb. 12-13 as the next dates for contract negotiations between Local 514 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union of Canada (ILWU) and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA). The two groups have been trying for months to draft a new collective agreement and avoid
Flaherty’s budget confirms ag spending plans
(Resource News International) — Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s 2009 federal budget, announced in the House of Commons Tuesday, confirmed $550 million in agriculture funding as had been announced Friday by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. That amount is split between a $500 million agricultural flexibility plan and $50 million to improve Canada’s livestock slaughter capacity. The
Still no breakthrough in B.C. port labour talks
(Resource News International) — Companies that had hoped for an end to uncertainty caused by the ongoing threat of a strike at B.C.’s busiest ports saw their hopes frustrated again as another weekend came and went without news of a collective agreement for roughly 450 dock and ship workers employed at B.C.’s Lower Mainland, Vancouver
Budget to include $1.55B in ag and rural funding
(Resource News International) — The 2009 budget to be unveiled Jan. 27 by Stephen Harper’s Conservative government has pencilled in $1.55 billion in funding for agricultural programs and rural communities, according to statements by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz in a media conference Friday. Ritz said the government has earmarked $500 million for an Agricultural Flexibility
New-crop malting barley prices fail to excite
(Resource News International) — Farmers in Western Canada are less than enthusiastic about early new-crop malting barley prices being floated in Western Canada. Rahr Malting Canada Ltd. at Alix, Alta. had been offering between $4.25 and $4.50 (farm gate) for 2009-10 malting barley but those prices were met with minimal interest from farmers, said Kevin
Viterra sees Prairie farmers booking fertilizers
(Resource News International) — After low interest through November and December, farmers in Western Canada are reportedly starting to head to their local retailers to book fertilizer for the spring. Officials with grain company Viterra, participating in the company’s earnings report conference call on Wednesday, predicted steady bookings between now and March. A late harvest
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