Canadian farm groups want curbs on Agrium’s clout

Reuters / Two influential Canadian farm groups will urge the country’s Competition Bureau to scale back Agrium Inc.’s proposed purchase of Viterra Inc. assets, saying Agrium might become too powerful in the sale of fertilizer and other crop supplies. In a $6.1-billion deal, global commodities giant Glencore International PLC will buy Viterra, Canada’s biggest grain

Viterra shareholders back Glencore

Reuters / Shareholders of Canada’s largest grain handler, Viterra Inc., voted overwhelmingly May 29 in favour of a friendly takeover bid by Swiss commodities trader Glencore International Plc., pushing the biggest deal in years for the global agricultural sector closer to reality. The deal was supported by 99.8 per cent of shareholders, far more than


CWB has limited success striking deals with grain handlers

The Canadian Wheat Board’s limited success in teaming up with grain handlers to survive the loss of its marketing monopoly is raising doubts about price pooling, a nearly century-old way for farmers to manage their price risk. The CWB, which loses its monopoly on Aug. 1 and becomes one of many buyers of farmers’ grain,

Wheat buyers fret as Canadian grain monopoly ends

Reuters / Global wheat importers fear the quality of Canada’s prized spring wheat and durum may deteriorate once the Canadian Wheat Board loses its marketing monopoly, creating problems for makers of breads and pasta. A broad swath of wheat buyers, including Japan, known as the most quality-conscious wheat importer, has raised concerns that the consistent,


U.S. lapping up Canadian canola oil

Reuters / Canada’s canola crushers are processing the oilseed at a record-brisk pace, as demand for canola oil heats up among U.S. makers of biodiesel and food products like potato chips. The United States has long been a key export market for canola, Canada’s second-biggest crop after spring wheat, but its appetite has spiked in

Viterra shareholders to vote May 29

Reuters / Shareholders in Viterra Inc. will vote May 29 whether to approve a $6.1-billion friendly takeover of Canada’s biggest grain handler by Swiss-based commodities trader Glencore International PLC. The vote will be taken at a special shareholder meeting in Calgary, Alberta, a Viterra spokeswoman said. The deal’s completion requires approval of two-thirds of the