Drew Spoelstra, a dairy and crop farmer from Binbrook, Ont., has been elected as the new president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). Spoelstra was chosen to the lead the provincial farm lobby at an executive meeting following the conclusion of the organization's annual convention in Toronto this week. He has served on the... Read More
Category: Ag Business
Smart tractors need smart implements. That's one of the challenges start-up autonomous tractor maker AgXeed is tackling as its AgBots move on to European farms. In this interview from Agritechnica '23, AgXeed product specialist Nadine Bietenduvel shares how over the past five years the company has developed three AgBot models — three-wheel, four-wheel and tracked... Read More
Hensall Co-op is expanding its global business with the acquisition Minn-Dak Growers Ltd. For over five decades, Minn-Dak has been processing and marketing specialty crops across the Upper Great Plains — a region comprising Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. Hensall Co-op CEO Brad Chandler says the acquisition is a strategic move... Read More
Farmers Edge's majority shareholder is looking to buy the remaining shares of the digital agriculture company for a small fraction of the value of the company when it went public less than three years ago. Fairfax Financial Holdings, which holds a 61 per cent stake in Farmers Edge, has made a non-binding offer to purchase... Read More
Bayer's new CEO says the company's management is evaluating whether to spin off its crop science division as part of a company-wide restructuring process. A German news outlet reported in July that Bill Anderson was considering divesting the company's agriculture business — one of Bayer's three divisions, along with Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Bayer Consumer Health... Read More
Transport Canada has launched public consultations on Bunge's proposed US$8.1 billion acquisition of Viterra. Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez decided in September that the combination of the two grain companies warranted a review under the Canada Transportation Act regarding the impact it could have on Canada's transportation system. Both Viterra and Bunge hold ownership interest in... Read More
Four Saskatchewan farm groups are urging the Saskatchewan government to conduct a thorough risk assessment of Bunge's proposed $8.1 billion acquisition of Viterra. The leaders of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, SaskCanola, Sask Wheat, and SaskBarley have written a letter to Agriculture Minister David Marit calling for a review of the multinational grain handler... Read More
Ontario-based Hensall Co-op has purchased Gentec Inc., a dry bean seed and research enterprise located in Idaho. The company says the acquisition is a strategic move that underscores its dedication to expanding Hensall C0-op's value-added product portfolio while diversifying its growing areas, and solidifying access to premium, high-quality seed offerings for its members and customers.... Read More
Three Ontario grain companies are teaming up they say to leverage the members' unique strengths to offer a more comprehensive approach, focusing on the principle of "farmers helping farmers." Great Lakes Grain, Bacres Grain Inc., and Wanstead Farmers Co-operative have joined forces in a strategic partnership aimed at providing enhanced services to the agricultural community... Read More
Oleta (Leta) LaRush is set to lead BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions, effective November 1, 2023. In this role, LaRush will lead Canadian operations and the Canadian Leadership Team for the agriculture division at BASF, and will join the company's North American Leadership team. She will also continue to serve as a member of the BASF... Read More