(Dave Bedard photo)

EU chemical agency says glyphosate not carcinogenic

Reading Time: 2 minutes Helsinki | Reuters — Glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, should not be classified as a substance causing cancer, the European Chemical Agency concluded on Wednesday, potentially paving the way for its licence renewal in the EU. A transatlantic row over possible risks to human health has prompted investigations by congressional committees in […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Bayer, Monsanto start asset sale toward merger clearance

Reading Time: 2 minutes Frankfurt | Reuters — German drug and crop chemical maker Bayer and U.S. seeds company Monsanto are launching asset sales worth roughly US$2.5 billion as they seek regulatory clearance for their US$66 billion merger, people close to the matter said. To kick off an auction process, Bayer’s advisors will send out information packages next week […] Read more



A kochia seedling.

Step one: Identify your weed enemy

Step two: Identify the best means to combat it. Here are some ways to help determine the treatments for weeds, insects and diseases

Reading Time: 4 minutes Is that cow cockle or cocklebur? It’s easy to tell when it’s grown so much that it’s already cost you yield, but not so easy when it’s first popping out of the ground. And once you know for sure, what are your control options? Insect control is even trickier. Is that critter eating my crop, […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola falls on week, outlook bullish

Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada –– Canola declined on the week with near-term pressure, but looking to the spring, the market may tighten as crops of seasons past haunt upcoming production. Since last week, canola lost $5.70 per tonne in the May contract, closing at $527.20 on Wednesday. The canola market declined with influence from Chicago Board of […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. Commerce chief sees no major NAFTA talks until later this year

Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Wednesday that substantial negotiations to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement likely will not get started until the latter part of this year and could take a year to complete. Ross, speaking to Bloomberg Television, said U.S. legal notification requirements with partners Mexico and […] Read more


(Cia.gov)

Ag groups tout potential of trade pact with China

Reading Time: 3 minutes Canadian ag commodity groups expect to make a case for freer trade with China during consultations now underway alongside Ottawa’s talks on a possible free trade deal with Beijing. Federal Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Friday announced public consultations, running until June 2, following last September’s announcement of “exploratory discussions” on a free trade agreement […] Read more

(Manitoba Co-operator file photo)

Manitoba storm may cause more than travel delays

Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada –– Road closures across most of western Manitoba due to a late-winter storm are likely only the start of the headaches to come, as flooding and/or late seeding may be a reality in many areas this spring. Meteorologist Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc. in Kansas City said he was optimistic on moisture […] Read more


(BiodieselofLasVegas.com)

White House still weighing U.S. biofuels program change

Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — The Trump administration is reviewing the possibility of a key change to U.S. biofuels policy requested by oil refiners and Carl Icahn, the billionaire investor and special advisor on regulations to President Donald Trump, a White House official said Monday. The administration has no position “either way on this issue at […] Read more

RFA CEO Bob Dinneen, shown here last March in New Orleans, has said the group is optimistic for biofuel’s prospects under a Trump administration. (EthanolRFA.org)

Ethanol group, Icahn clash over details of U.S. biofuel negotiation

Reading Time: 3 minutes New York | Reuters — The head of the Renewable Fuels Association says billionaire investor Carl Icahn told him last week U.S. President Donald Trump was about to issue an order overhauling the U.S. biofuels program — something both Icahn and the White House have denied. Confusion over Trump’s plans for the Renewable Fuel Standard […] Read more