“...now I think fertilizer pricing is almost a 12-month-a-year practice.” – Darren Bond, Manitoba Agriculture.

Fertilizer prices likely flattened, set to rise slowly 

Fertilizer price plateau: A good handle on cost of production can bring calm amid volatile markets, says management specialist

Fertilizer prices have mostly hit a plateau and will likely start to creep up again, says one analyst. “Farmers would be incentivized to get the product that they need for the coming 12 months probably sooner rather than later if they want to make use of the bottom of the market,” said Chris Lawson, head

A G-Mac’s custom seed treatment unit loads a truck with treated peas in a 2020 video screengrab. (G-Mac’s AgTeam via YouTube)

Simplot to buy western Saskatchewan ag retail chain

G-Mac's AgTeam to rebrand under Simplot name

An independent crop input retail chain in western Saskatchewan is set to become part of agrifood firm J.R. Simplot’s retail arm. Simplot announced Nov. 15 it has a deal in place to buy G-Mac’s AgTeam, which owns and operates 15 outlets in the region, for an undisclosed sum. The deal, which will see the G-Mac’s


(Richardson.ca)

Richardson makes first entry in branded crop inputs

Company launches new N stabilizer, CirrusX

Prairie grain handler and agribusiness Richardson Pioneer has launched itself into self-branded crop inputs with a nitrogen stabilizer, CirrusX. Steve Biggar, associate vice-president of fertilizer and energy products for Winnipeg-based Richardson, said it was the right time for the company to launch CirrusX because of new treaters the company has installed to allow liquid products

Crop prices need to stay high for farmers to recoup the record- breaking cost of this year’s crop, says Brent Konstapel (pictured with wife Megan and their
children Allison and Whitney).

STICKER SHOCK: Plant 2022 has been unlike any other, say farmers

The sky-high prices are bad enough, but availability issues also raise stress levels

They’re calling it the most expensive crop that Prairie farmers have ever planted. But the skyrocketing price of fertilizer, fuel, herbicides and other inputs isn’t the only worry. Lately it’s often been about getting your hands on products you’ve paid an arm and a leg for. Clint Jacula thought he had the bases covered. He

Nutrien’s head office building in Saskatoon. (Liam O’Connor photo)

Nutrien buys expanded ag retail presence in Brazil

Reuters — Top fertilizer maker Nutrien on Wednesday agreed to acquire Casa do Adubo S.A., as part of its ambitions to expand its Brazilian retail business. The deal marks Nutrien’s sixth acquisition in Brazil since 2019, when it set a strategic goal to build its market share in a country that is vital to feeding


(Greg Berg photo)

StatsCan predicts more Canadian wheat acres, less canola in 2022

Lentil, corn, soy acres are also expected up from 2021, barley down

MarketsFarm — Canada’s farmers intend to seed more acres to wheat and less to canola in 2022, according to the first survey-based estimates from Statistics Canada for the upcoming crop year released Tuesday. Canola area is forecast at 20.9 million acres by the government agency, which would be down by seven per cent from the

sprayer

Stocking up for a shortage-plagued spring

There’s a long list of ag products under supply strain while one of farming’s busiest seasons is about to ramp up

This isn’t going to be one of those springs where you can stroll into your local ag retailer and be confident you’ll be leaving with everything you need. Supply chain issues of all stripes have kept inventories of all kinds across the country depleted, even as spring approaches. The list of ag products facing supply

Editor’s Take: Managing short supply

Early on in the pandemic I recall standing in line in the cold outside Costco, waiting for my turn to get into the store. As I waited, more or less patiently, I noticed several hastily made signs on printer paper that lined the crowd control fences — or perhaps ‘human corral’ might be a more


Gavilon in October last year opened a new southern Montana grain elevator, shown here, at Huntley, just northeast of Billings. (Gavilon.com)

Viterra to buy Marubeni’s U.S. grain firm Gavilon

Grain handler looking to expand reach in Americas through acquisitions

Grain firm Viterra’s plans to buy an expanded global reach are about to move forward with a 10-figure deal for the bulk of U.S. ag commodity firm Gavilon’s grain business. Viterra, owned by commodities firm Glencore and two Canadian public-sector pension funds, announced Wednesday it will pay $1.125 billion to buy Omaha-based Gavilon from the

The Blair’s agro centre at Lipton, Sask. (Blairs.ag)

Buyer found for ag retailer Blair’s contested outlet

ProSoils to buy Blair's location at Lipton, Sask.

Crop input retail chain Blair’s Crop Solutions has a deal in place to sell one of its eastern Saskatchewan sites to meet its obligation to federal regulators. The chain, a joint venture between Federated Co-operatives and the Blair’s Family of Companies, announced Monday it will sell its site at Lipton, Sask., about 80 km west