17/09/12: new scales from Adam Equipment; CPM forms Crown Asia; wet weather wheat fears in Australia

Hello, 

• Adam Equipment introduce Warrior Washdown Scales.  According to the manufacturer, the Warrior is a recent addition to the scale and balance market, and it is taking the science of weighing to new levels of strength and performance.  These robust scales are well-suited for the food industry and pharmaceutical processing, and ideal for the production line or for clean-room environments.  More information...  You can also view the Warrior in action here.

• CPM forms Crown Asia to expand and deliver oilseeds throughout Asia.  The wholly-owned company is a result of CPM’s acquisition of its joint venture partner’s shares in Wuhan Crown Friendship Edible Oil Engineering Company (CFEC). As Crown Asia, the new venture will build upon its leading market position in China and the greater Asia region in oilseed processing.  Read more...

• Wet weather brings disease fears for Australian wheat growers, reports ABC Rural.  Farmers who planted their winter crops late are particularly at risk from the predicted bad weather.  Yet experts are unsure of what course of action to take given that incorrect identification of disease could be a costly mistake.  Read more...

Olive oil from Imperia in Liguria, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

EPA proposal meets approval of National Biodiesel Board

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has approved the latest renewable fuels proposal. At a hearing held on Tuesday Joe Jobe CEO of NBB said "the latest renewable fuel proposal will provide stability of the US Biodiesel industry well helping to create jobs, improve the environment and bolster US energy security".

Jobe when on to say that the "EPA proposal represents a modest and sustainable level of growth in the biomass-based diesel program that is consistent with the availability of the diverse feedstocks used to make biodiesel, such as vegetable oils, recycled cooking oil and animal fats". Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers

Food prices 'to carry on climbing all year' in the UK

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) said that turmoil in north Africa and the Middle East was behind the fresh spike in the price of wheat and cooking oil, with many governments hoarding food. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO's) food price index averaged 236 points in February, a record, up 2.2 percent from January and rising for the eighth month in a row.

The index highlights how food prices, which throughout most of the last two decades have been stable, have taken off in alarming fashion in the last three years. In 2000 the index stood at 90 and did not break through 100 until 2004. If crude oil a key cost for farmers and shipping companies moving commodities around the world continues to climb prices will climb yet higher, the UN warned. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.