Reading Time: 3 minutes New York | Reuters — A fuel demand meltdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak in the United States has started up a new fight between the oil and agriculture industries over the nation’s biofuel policy, this time over whether the policy should be suspended or expanded as a result of the crisis. The issue once […] Read more
COVID-19 spurs new clash between Big Oil, Big Corn
Flagging consumption leads to pressures on U.S. fuels, biofuels
U.S. biofuel group says ethanol industry sharply cutting production
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Many U.S. ethanol plants have slashed production over the past week or idled entirely as the coronavirus outbreak cut into fuel consumption and cratered margins to refine the corn-based fuel, the head of a biofuel trade group said on Thursday. Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper said on a conference call he expects […] Read more
No Prairie farm fuel shortages expected in pandemic
Continuity plans in place to keep fuel moving
Reading Time: 2 minutes Prairie farmers shouldn’t see a disruption to their farm fuel distribution as a result of COVID-19 safety measures. “Our members are committed to minimizing disruptions to the Canadian fuel supply as a result of the pandemic response,” Canadian Fuels Association spokesperson Jason Vaillant said in an email. “Our members are working tirelessly to maintain operations […] Read more
Trump’s ag department sets 30 per cent biofuel goal for 2050
Reading Time: 2 minutes Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced a goal for biofuels to make up 30 per cent of U.S. transportation fuels by 2050, a move that could bolster an industry that has been otherwise battered by the Trump administration. Refineries are currently required to blend 20.09 billion gallons of biofuel […] Read more
Subsidy for grain dryer upgrades in Alberta draws critics
Reading Time: 2 minutes Concerns are being raised over a new program for grain drying being offered to Alberta residents. The federal and Alberta governments recently announced Alberta farmers seeking to make grain dryer improvements will have access to funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The Efficient Grain Dryer Program aims to cover costs for energy efficiency improvements to […] Read more
Sudan to continue to subsidize bread but with ‘justice’
Reading Time: < 1 minute Khartoum | Reuters — Sudan will continue to subsidize bread prices during transitional rule after Omar al-Bashir’s ouster but wants to achieve “justice” in distributing income supports, its trade and industry minister said on Wednesday. Bread shortages, caused by difficulties in raising hard currency to import wheat, triggered mass protests which — with the help […] Read more
Federated Co-op to close Calgary distribution centre
Reading Time: 2 minutes The main supply outlet for Co-op grocery stores in southern Alberta and British Columbia is set to close in April as one of its main users takes its business elsewhere. Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) announced Thursday it will close its Calgary food distribution centre in April, a decision it said will eliminate just over 200 […] Read more
New environmental rules expected to further lift diesel prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Diesel prices in Canada and the U.S. have increased marginally ahead of winter, which is expected for this time of year — but in the New Year, prices on the farm will likely be higher than normal, as the ocean freight industry adopts new environmental standards. While a farmer’s demand for diesel is […] Read more
U.S. states declare emergencies to help farmers in propane shortage
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Regional shortages of propane, which is used for heating homes and barns and by farmers to dry their crops, have led to emergency declarations covering nine U.S. Midwest states amid late harvests of soggy grains. Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin declared state emergencies beginning in late October, and continued last Friday to […] Read more
Canada’s fuel prices to rise after attack in Saudi Arabia
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Following an attack on two major oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, consumers can expect a small rise in fuel prices in the days to come. The attacks on Saturday hindered the production of about 5.7 million barrels of oil per day. On Monday morning, crude oil prices were up by about 10 per […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
