Swiss-based Syngenta has rebuffed a second $45 billion purchase offer from U.S.-based Monsanto, calling it “unsolicited” and a “reputational risk.” Initially, Syngenta cited worries over global regulatory approvals as one of the main reasons behind the first refused offer. And, though Monsanto saw “no legitimate basis for the regulatory concerns” outlined in Syngenta’s refusal, the second… Read More

How do you sell an industry full of potential? If you’re hoping to influence career choices, you have to be top of mind when high school students are contemplating opportunities. That’s the motivation behind Ontario’s Lisa Thompson’s private member’s motion, Growing Agri-food Jobs, first read at Queen’s Park in November, and introduced this week. Thompson,… Read More

Most grain elevators in Western Canada are going to be asking producers to declare whether they used a plant growth regulator containing chlormequate chloride when delivering this year’s crop. If the answer is yes, they’re going to reserve the right to not accept delivery of the grain. All the companies that are members in the Western Grain Elevator… Read More

The Canadian government has taken another step toward following through on its two-year-old threat to retaliate against U.S. country of origin labeling (COOL) unless the meat labeling rules are repealed. Canada’s trade and agriculture ministers — Ed Fast and Gerry Ritz — joined Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, and Enrique Martínez y Martínez, Mexico’s Secretary of… Read More

There’s something distinctly different about this week’s news update…and it likely has something to do with Kelvin Heppner not hosting it. RealAgriculture editor and resident fast-talker, Lyndsey Smith, fills in for our usual broadcaster this week, and is joined by Debra Murphy to talk what’s top of mind this week. What do they talk about?… Read More

Earlier this week, on World Milk Day, Saputo announced the implementation of its animal welfare policy, along with new programs offered to support the policy through the University of Guelph and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. According to the company’s recent press release, the policy was created through collaborative efforts with customers, dairy producers, veterinarians, governmental authorities,… Read More

After ramping up efforts to test for clubroot disease over the last year, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development has confirmed the presence of the nasty soil-borne pest in 48 fields within the province. The provincial ag department has released an updated map showing positive clubroot cases by rural municipality (see below), while noting “positive findings… Read More

Editor’s note: This article was updated on June 5th with additional information regarding milkweed’s status under the Noxious Weeds Act and proposed biosecurity measures. The Manitoba government has proposed changes to its Noxious Weeds Act intended to make the legislation more flexible and responsive. First proclaimed in 1871, the act requires landowners and occupants prevent the growth,… Read More

CWB’s commitment to new “bricks and mortar” continues to take shape as G3 Global Holdings announces its plan to examine the feasibility of a new elevator at the Port of Vancouver. “The G3 vision is to create a highly efficient coast-to-coast Canadian grain enterprise that provides stronger market access solutions for growers and delivers value to… Read More