USDA chief predicts lower inputs by spring

U. S. farmers have not seen their input costs decline significantly despite the recent drop in energy prices, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said Nov. 18, but he remained confident conditions would improve before growers plant their 2009 crops. Prices for corn, soybeans, wheat and other crops have dropped after setting record highs earlier this year.


Stand up for farm organizations

There is little debate about the fact that farming is a unique and volatile industry which requires special attention from our governments. The question of who should be speaking on behalf of farmers is a far more contentious issue. Currently, general farm organizations like Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) speak on behalf of all of Manitoba’s

Farm gate prices drop, but not food prices

U. S. food prices are still headed for their largest increase in two decades this year despite the recent slide in oil and grain markets, the U. S. Agriculture Department said Oct. 18. In its monthly report, USDA did not change its forecast for food prices, which are expected to surge by 5.5 per cent


Cargill posts healthy profit

Cargill Inc. posted a 62 per cent rise in quarterly earnings Oct. 13, led largely by its industrial business. Cargill, one of the world’s largest private corporations, said earnings rose to $1.49 billion in the first quarter ended Aug. 31 from $917 million a year earlier. “Cargill realized a strong start to our new fiscal