18/09/12: pressures on EU milling; New Cargill canola plant; winter wheat

Hello,

• This article about the demands on the EU milling industry is a fascinating read.  It clearly and concisely outlines the key pressures modern millers face including competition from outside the EU, falling household consumption of flour and a stagnating population.  Read the full piece on farminguk.com here.

• Cargill is to build a new canola refinery at its Clavet, Saskatchewan, canola processing facility. The world is expected to be completed in time for the 2014-15 canola harvest.  Read more...

• It seems like we've only just left the summer behind but believe it or not, farmers in the US are already turning their attention to winter wheat crops.  In this article, Jeff Wolheter of kpcnews.com explains why winter wheat can be beneficial, not just financially but also for the land.

Canola Field in Saskatchewan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Viterra Inc, Canada’s biggest grain handler up for sale

Viterra Inc, Canada’s biggest grain handler is up for sale, Cargill the US agribusiness giants has shown interest in acquiring Viterra Inc, but Glencore International has previously made a bid and seems to have more serious talks. Glencore International AG is in exclusive talks with Viterra Inc over a deal to buy the Canadian grain handler, according to a person familiar with the situation, moves forward with a process begun earlier in the month to explore bids.

Viterra shares - currently trading at a market capitalisation of just above Can$6 billion (€4.582 billion) - were briefly halted in Toronto trading. After issuing a statement confirming exclusive discussions with an unnamed third party, shares resumed trading. Glencore had been seen as a likely bidder for Viterra ever since the Regina, Saskatchewan, company first disclosed it had received expressions of interest earlier this month. Last week, the company said it had set up a formal process to evaluate bids. 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. To get your copy of 'PPLAPP' click here.

Saskatchewan elevator capacity expanded by Viterra

Viterra is expanding its grain elevator in Fairlight, Saskatchewan, Canada, to boost storage capacity and give it the ability to handle more rail cars. The company said it will increase the size of the grain elevator so it can handle 100 rail car deliveries and store more grain for market.

 Viterra did not say how much it is spending to grow the operation in the small community in the southeastern Saskatchewan farm belt. Canadian National Railway, the company's key shipper, was involved in the expansion. "Viterra's investment in this facility will ensure more efficient movement of grains and oilseeds for our customers," said Bob Miller, Viterra's senior vice-president of North American grain services. 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. To get your copy of  'PPLAPP' click here.

Saskatchewan crop input facility closed by Cargill

Cargill Limited announced the closure of its Langbank, Saskatchewan crop input facility, effective February 15, 2012. The company will cease production at the ageing facility, which no longer serves to most effectively meet the needs of the company and its customers. “Cargill is committed to operating safe, efficient and cost-effective networks of farm service centers across Canada,” said Sheldon Spearman, Cargill Farm Service Group Manager.

“While the Langbank facility no longer meets our current needs, we will continue to offer our valued customers the exceptional direct-to-farm service approach that they have come to expect from Cargill. Our customers will not be impacted by this change,” he said. 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. To get your copy of
'PPLAPP' click here.