Insights and Stories of Rod Nickel

Apr. 15, 2014 at 5:13 pm CDT

Winnipeg | Reuters — U.S. agribusiness Cargill expects the merger of its flour mill operations with those of ConAgra Foods to be finalized in six to eight weeks after it clears a longstanding regulatory hurdle, Cargill executive chairman Greg Page said Tuesday. The combined entity, to be called Ardent Mills, […]

By Rod Nickel

Apr. 7, 2014 at 7:38 pm CDT

Reuters — Federal legislators on Monday amended a bill designed to ensure grain moves smoothly by rail by allowing the government to order railways to compensate shippers for poor service. The Canadian Transportation Agency currently has authority only to arbitrate matters on which the parties mutually agree. Railways can avoid […]

By Rod Nickel

Mar. 27, 2014 at 4:21 pm CDT

Winnipeg | Reuters — Truckloads of Canadian canola and wheat are flowing briskly into U.S. crushing plants and elevators, as Canada’s farmers seek to get round an unprecedented backlog of crops destined for ports. A record-smashing Canadian harvest and brutal winter have overwhelmed Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways (CN, […]

By Rod Nickel

Mar. 25, 2014 at 4:34 pm CDT

Winnipeg | Reuters — U.S.-based fertilizer company Mosaic Co. said Tuesday it has laid off 51 workers at its Canadian potash operations, as the industry struggles to recover from low prices and weak demand. Spokesman Rob Litt said the layoffs are spread out among Mosaic’s operations in Saskatchewan, which include […]

By Rod Nickel

Mar. 21, 2014 at 1:47 pm CDT

Winnipeg | Reuters — China has agreed to resume imports of Canadian canola meal from Richardson International, the first from Canada in about a year, a Richardson official said Friday. The Chinese government agreed several weeks ago to resume imports of canola meal and canola meal pellets from privately-held Richardson, […]

By Rod Nickel