In the news
NEWS BITES THAT MATTER
Syngenta announces ‘Market Watch in Canada
Canadian growers now have access to timely market analysis and forward-looking commentary direct from the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) trading floor, thanks to the launch of Market Watch, a weekly two-minute radio program with information tailored to the Canadian grains and oilseeds sector. Sponsored by Syngenta Canada Inc., the segment airs on 19 affiliate radio stations across Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The report is also available online at http://www.mastermixdown.com/Canada.html?elq=2f5f2f8cd988471486c80f8363ac15ff&elqCampaignId=101.
“Today, Canadian growers must be diligent marketers and have a strong understanding of global markets to be profitable,” said Tracy Clark, Marketing Communications Manager, Syngenta Canada. “Market Watch provides informed analysis and insight on current market prices and anticipated market behaviour, helping growers make the best marketing decisions for their operations. Syngenta is very pleased to play a role in bringing this valuable information and insight to growers.”
The weekly report provides listeners with an assessment of what happened in the futures and options markets the previous week and also a look ahead to identify what factors could impact grain and oilseed price forecasts the upcoming week.
The market analysis and commentary is delivered by industry experts Dr. Bill Tierney and Ben Buckner. Tierney is the Chief Economist for Market Watch and has more than 32 years of experience working as an agriculture economist primarily in the area of global crop market analysis. Buckner specializes in grains market research and has been in commodity market analysis since 2005.
“Market Watch has enjoyed 11 years of success in the US and we look forward to providing the Canadian market with timely information regarding North American commodities,” said Dean Moore, Market Watch, US-Canada. •
Väderstad acquires Seed Hawk
Väderstad, a leading European agricultural equipment manufacturer from Sweden, has acquired the Canadian equipment manufacturer Seed Hawk. The deal brings Väderstad closer to the North American market and opens up new possibilities for both Seed Hawk and Väderstad.
For Väderstad, this is a deepening of the partnership that began in 2006 with the Canadian manufacturer of large seed drills. Seed Hawk is located in Langbank, Saskatchewan, which will continue to be the company’s head office and primary production site. It has 250 employees based at its Langbank site.
The acquisition will lead to investment in the Langbank factory, and more job opportunities will be created to enable Seed Hawk to grow. The production of Väderstad and Seed Hawk products for the North American market will be located in Langbank for the long term.
Väderstad’s driving force is to create flexible machines for soil tillage and drilling that do an excellent job regardless of the cropping approach. Since 1992, Seed Hawk has been manufacturing zero-tillage seeding systems that are sold in Canada, the USA, Australia, and Eastern and Western Europe. •
Protecting drinking water
The Ontario government is strengthening the protection of local drinking water sources in small, rural municipalities. Almost 200 municipalities will receive support to help carry out source water protection plans. These plans, which are developed locally, are an important part of Ontario’s drinking water safety net and protect existing and future sources of drinking water.
Drinking water source protection planning was a recommendation of the O’Connor inquiry into the Walkerton tragedy. Seven people died and more than 2,000 became sick after consuming contaminated drinking water in the Town of Walkerton, in 2000.
The Source Protection Municipal Implementation Fund helps small and rural municipalities get ready to implement actions to protect local sources of drinking water. The $13.5M fund was a commitment made in the 2013 budget. 189 municipalities are eligible for grants ranging from $18,000 to $100,000. An additional incentive of up to $15,000 is available to municipalities that work together to implement source protection plans. The province has already provided over $240 million for source protection planning. There are 38 source protection areas, grouped into 19 regions. Each region developed a source protection plan. www.ene.gov.on.ca. •
