Hog farmers say they're losing thousands of dollars; call for gov't aid
TORONTO - Hog farmers say they are losing thousands of dollars and considering euthanizing healthy pigs because they are battling bankruptcy without government aid.
Dozens of farmers - with 50 pigs - gathered at the provincial legislature Friday to protest what they call government inaction in the face of a crisis that has been growing for years and worsened by fears around swine flu.
Foster Farms to reduce contracted growers in La.
FARMERVILLE, La. - A California-based poultry company that recently took over a closed Louisiana processing plant with assistance from the state says it will not extend contracts to all of the plant's former growers.
Foster Farms agreed to buy the shuttered Pilgrim's Pride poultry processing plant in Farmerville for $80 million, with Louisiana contributing $50 million of the purchase price and another $10 million for equipment upgrades.
Alberta, Saskatchewan face widespread drought after driest weather in 50 years
EDMONTON - Albertans are crossing their fingers that predicted cloudy patches turn into bouts of rain later this week to wash away what has become a dry spring of sunburnt misery.
ICE Futures Canada prices lower
WINNIPEG - Prices were lower at the ICE Futures Canada on Friday.
Canola: July '09 $1.50 higher $463.50; Nov. '09 $1.00 lower $460.60; Jan. '10 $3.80 lower $461.80; March '10 $4.00 higher $473.90; May '10 unchanged $471.40; July '10 unchanged $472.30; Nov. '10 unchanged $475.00; Jan. '11 unchanged $479.50; March '11 unchanged $484.00; May '11 unchanged $488.50; July '11 unchanged $493.00.
Agriculture futures trade lower on Chicago Board of Trade
CHICAGO - Agriculture futures were lower Thursday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Wheat for September delivery lost 6.5 cents to US$5.29 a bushel, while September corn dropped 10.75 cents to $3.4575 a bushel and September oats slid 10.5 cents to $2.245 a bushel. Soybeans for August delivery fell 7.5 cents to $10.61 a bushel.
ICE Futures Canada prices closed mixed
WINNIPEG - Closing prices:
Canola: July '09 $6.00 higher $462.00; Nov. '09 $6.10 higher $461.60; Jan. '10 $6.00 higher $465.60; March '10 $6.00 higher $469.90; May '10 $6.00 higher $471.40; July 10 $6.00 higher $472.30; Nov. '10 $3.80 higher $475.00; Jan '11 $3.80 higher $479.50; March '11 $3.80 higher $484.00; May '11 $3.80 higher $488.50; July '11 $3.80 higher $493.00.
ICE Futures Canada prices higher
WINNIPEG - Prices were higher at the ICE Futures Canada on Thursday.
Agriculture futures drop sharply on Chicago Board of Trade
CHICAGO - Agriculture futures dropped in early trading Thursday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Wheat for September delivery slipped 1.5 cents US to $5.34 a bushel, while September corn slid 6.75 cents to $3.4975 a bushel. September oats tumbled seven cents to $2.28 a bushel, and soybeans for August delivery were down 12.5 cents to $11.48 a bushel.
ICE Futures Canada prices higher
WINNIPEG - Prices were higher at the ICE Futures Canada on Thursday.
Canola: July '09 $5.50 higher $461.50; Nov. '09 $6.20 higher $461.70; Jan. '10 $5.40 higher $465.00; March '10 $6.30 higher $470.20; May '10 unchanged $465.40; July '10 unchanged $466.30; Nov. '10 unchanged $471.20; Jan. '11 unchanged $475.70; March '11 unchanged $480.20; May '11 unchanged $484.70; July '11 unchanged $489.20.
President's Choice steaks, other meats, recalled due to possible E. coli
Canada's food inspection agency has issued a warning not to eat a wide selection of President's Choice fresh beef products because they might contain E. coli.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says in a news release that roasts, steaks and ground beef with best before dates of April 29 through June 16 are part of the alert issued Tuesday.
12 hospitalized in U.S. in connection with possible E. coli outbreak in beef linked to Colo. company
WASHINGTON - Federal health officials say at least 12 people have been hospitalized in connection with a possible E.coli outbreak in beef and two of them suffered kidney failure.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 23 people in nine states may have become ill after eating beef produced by JBS Swift Beef Co. of Greeley, Colo.
B.C. government wants to beef up cattle industry with new task force
VICTORIA, B.C. - The provincial government wants to beef up British Columbia's ailing cattle industry with a new task force that will consider changing regulations to help market the meat to more consumers.
Agriculture Minister Steve Thomson said Tuesday the new Ranching Task Force will explore innovative ways to sustain the industry that employs 8,700 people and pumps $250 million into the economy every year.
Agriculture futures trade mixed on Chicago Board of Trade
CHICAGO - Agriculture futures were mixed Wednesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Wheat for September delivery lost 5.25 cents to US$5.355 a bushel, while September corn rose two cents to $3.565 a bushel and July oats jumped 10.75 cents to $2.255 a bushel. Soybeans for August delivery surged 41.25 cents to $11.605 a bushel.
Agriculture futures mixed on Chicago Board of Trade
CHICAGO - Agriculture futures were mixed in early trading Wednesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Wheat for September delivery slipped 0.75 cent to US$5.40 a bushel, while September corn inched up 0.5 cent to $3.55 a bushel. July oats were unchanged at $2.1475 a bushel, and soybeans for August delivery soared 27.25 cents to $11.465 a bushel.
Agrium says CF Industries still resisting takeover efforts despite shareholders
CALGARY - Fertilizer giant Agrium Inc. (TSX:AGU) says it is still being shut out by its unwilling U.S. takeover target, even after a majority of CF Industries Holdings Inc. (NYSE:CF) shareholders tendered to the Calgary-based firm's bid last week.
Agrium chief executive Mike Wilson said his CF counterpart called him to say his firm would not meet to discuss the nearly US$4-billion offer, even though 62 per cent of CF's stock was tendered by last Monday's deadline, which has been extended.
Tart cherry crop expected to jump about a third
WAUSAU, Wis. - What a difference a year makes for growing cherries.
After an almost total crop loss last year, Wisconsin - one of the nation's largest tart cherry growers - is expected to produce more than 8 million pounds of cherries this year. Overall, U.S. production is expected to spike nearly a third to 283.6 million pounds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Agriculture futures prices mixed on Chicago Board of Trade
CHICAGO - Agriculture futures were mixed Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Wheat for July delivery dropped 17.25 cents US to $5.1125 a bushel, while July corn sank 29.25 cents to 3.4775 dollars a bushel and July oats edged up 1.25 cents to 2.1475 dollars a bushel.
Cow, feeders steady at the Winnipeg livestock market
WINNIPEG - The cow market and few feeders on offer were trading fully steady compared to last week's activity at the Winnipeg livestock market Tuesday.
Total head count: 275
Agriculture futures drop sharply on Chicago Board of Trade
CHICAGO - Agriculture futures dropped sharply in early trading Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade as the government said farmers planted a record crop of soybeans and the second-largest batch of corn in more than 60 years.
The unexpected boost in planting means a greater supply of crops and possible lower commodity prices.
ICE Futures Canada prices lower
WINNIPEG - Prices were lower at the ICE Futures Canada on Tuesday.
Canola: July '09 $6.90 lower $448.10; Nov. '09 $7.00 lower $445.00; Jan. '10 $8.20 lower $448.00; March '10 $4.20 lower $456.30; May '10 $1.00 lower $461.00; July '10 $5.70 lower $458.00; Nov. '10 unchanged $468.70; Jan. '11 unchanged $473.20; March '11 unchanged $477.70; May '11 unchanged $482.20; July '11 unchanged $486.70.