Seed Maker Pioneer Races For Crops As Climate Changes

Achanging climate that many scientists fear will hurt global crop production means seed makers must work harder to meet food needs as world population grows by 30 per cent by 2050, a top world seed executive said. “Agriculture production is moving to the North because those climates are becoming warmer. Some of those environments are

In Brief… – for May. 12, 2011

Viterra opens Montreal office:Canada’s biggest grain handler, Viterra Inc. has opened a marketing office in Montreal following a deal last month to run the grain terminal owned by Montreal Port Authority. The marketing office will increase Viterra’s ability to buy crops and sell them to buyers in Canada, the United States and Europe, the company



New Questions Being Raised About Benefit Of Biofuels

Anew report raising additional doubts about the green credentials of biofuels has stalled investment in Europe and threatens the future of some producers. After a two-year investigation, the European Commission has decided that the complex issue of “indirect land use change” can lessen carbon savings from biofuels. The concept is relatively new, and still being


Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Coming?

The straw Red River Valley farmers burn in their fields could soon be burning in their half-ton engines instead. An official with Shell Canada confirmed the fossil fuel oil company is looking across Western Canada, including Manitoba, for a site to build a cellulosic ethanol plant with its partner Iogen Corporation. “Shell has committed to

South Korea Likely To Lift Canadian Beef Import Ban

South Korea is likely to lift an eight-year ban on Canadian beef imports by the end of June and plans sweeping changes in its grain-growing and import policies in the face of rising global food prices, the country’s farm minister said April 14. Rising global food prices have prompted the country to eye participation in


USDA Changes Corn Wording After Ethanol Makers Complain

The U.S. government introduced new wording on corn use on April 8 following complaints from ethanol makers that they were not getting credit for the corn byproducts that are fed to livestock. Instead of saying “corn for ethanol” in its monthly report, the U.S. Agriculture Department now spells out the corn is going to produce

Biofuel Standards Will Affect Farmers

The Renewable Fuel Standards will have an effect on farmers. The federal mandate is that there is a renewable fuel quantity that must be added to fossil fuel, for gasoline a five per cent ethanol blend will be added and for biodiesel a two per cent blend will be added to diesel. These amounts are


Bangladesh Adopts Food Security Plan

Bangladesh has adopted a nearly $8-billion plan to ensure food security over the next five years, Food and Disaster Management Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque said April 2. “We have finalized the investment plan for our food security until 2015 and have full support from our development partners to implement it,” he told Reuters. The government

FAO Sees Food Price Rebound

Global food prices are expected to rebound in the next few weeks after coming off record highs in March as demand keeps growing against tight supplies, a top official at the United Nations’ food agency said on April 7. “We believe that in the next few weeks, and there are already signs of it, prices