The European Union has issued its long-awaited approval for three biotech traits in soybeans. Monsanto's Xtend and Vistive Gold traits, as well as Bayer's Balance GT soybeans, have been approved for import and food/feed use. Monsanto planned to introduce its dicamba and glyphosate-tolerant Xtend soybeans in Canada for the 2016 growing season, but seed was... Read More

The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame has named its inductees for 2016. Horticulture crop protection pioneer James Bartlett, Angus beef promoter Robert Switzer and livestock show leader John Willmott will be formally inducted at a ceremony on November 6 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. “This year’s three inductees all channeled their passion,... Read More

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay was in Calgary on Wednesday to announce up to $6.4 million over three years to promote Canadian beef. The funding will support Canada Beef's three-year market development and promotion plan, which targets regional hubs in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. “Canadian farmers and ranchers take pride in producing... Read More

Saskatchewan-based AGT Food & Ingredients and North Dakota-based JM Grain are two of the first companies to sign on to use a new 'Made with Pulses' food packaging label unveiled by the Global Pulse Confederation in Chicago on Monday. With the launch coinciding with the UN's International Year of Pulses, the new seal and Pulse... Read More

Monsanto's Board of Directors says Bayer's latest offer to buy the company is still "financially inadequate and insufficient to ensure deal certainty." Last week, Bayer said it had raised its bid to acquire Monsanto and addressed Monsanto's concerns about regulatory and financing issues. The per-share cash offer was raised from US$122 to US$125. Bayer also... Read More

Just over a year after Manitoba's former NDP government implemented its cosmetic pesticide ban, the province's new PC government says it wants to hear from Manitobans on the impact of the "Non-Essential Use of Pesticides Regulation." “The purpose of the legislation is to reduce the exposure of people and pets to herbicides used in lawn... Read More

Nuffield Canada has announced four scholarship recipients for its 2017 program. They are Jason Fransoo of Calgary, Alberta; Nicole MacKellar of Guelph, Ontario; Kristina Polziehn of Sturgeon County, Alberta; and Matt Hamill of Red Deer, Alberta. All four will kick off their international studies with a trip to Brazil in March 2017, where they'll meet... Read More

Bayer has boosted its formal offer to purchase Monsanto from US$62 billion to around US$65 billion, saying it has also addressed Monsanto's concerns about financing and regulatory matters. The German pharmaceutical and agriculture company announced Thursday it formally submitted a proposal to Monsanto on July 9, raising its all-cash offer from US$122 to US$125 per... Read More

Thompsons Limited has announced that Rob Wallbridge will join the company as Organic Specialist. Wallbridge grew up on conventional dairy and cash crop farms in Central and Eastern Ontario. He comes to Thompsons with more than 15 years of experience in organic crop certification, production and marketing. Wallbridge is a registered Certified Crop Advisor (CCA-ON)... Read More