News and Information for the Grain, Milling, Feed, Seed and BioFuels Industries http://www.grainnet.com Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:52:46 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Analysis__China_to_Remain_Strong_Market_For_U_S__Commodities__AgWeb_-119612.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Analysis__China_to_Remain_Strong_Market_For_U_S__Commodities__AgWeb_-119612.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:36:34 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Conference_Board_of_Canada_Finds_Collaboration_Between_Food_Industry_and_Regulators_Would_Make_Good_System_Better-119610.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Conference_Board_of_Canada_Finds_Collaboration_Between_Food_Industry_and_Regulators_Would_Make_Good_System_Better-119610.html Ottawa—Canada's food industry and government regulators have an opportunity to work as partners to make a good system even better, according to a Conference Board of Canada report, All Together Now: Regulation and Food Industry Performance. "As a top-tier food producer, Canada is starting from a position of strength. "If we build on our current advantages by improving our regulatory systems, we will have the best of both worlds - internationally competitive food companies and a safe regulatory environment," said Michael Bloom, Vice-President, Organizational Effectiveness and Learning. Food is one of the most heavily regulated sectors in Canada. Laws, regulations, and administrative Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:22:17 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/ASA_Joins_Other_Ag_Groups_in_Washington_For_Farm_Bill_Talks-119608.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/ASA_Joins_Other_Ag_Groups_in_Washington_For_Farm_Bill_Talks-119608.html American Soybean Association (ASA) leaders gathered in Washington this week for a two-day meeting of national farm and commodity organizations to prepare for development of the 2012 Farm Bill. ASA President Steve Wellman, First Vice President Danny Murphy, and CEO Steve Censky presented the soybean industry’s positions on farm policy, including support for the revenue-based approach, "Risk Management for America’s Farmers," supported by ASA during the Budget Control Act process last fall. ASA also raised concerns about the potential for planting and production distortions that could result under an alternative program that would tie payments to current-year production based on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:18:57 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/USDA_Weekly_Drought_Monitor__Locally_Heavy_Rain_Provides_Drought_Relief_to_South_Central_U_S_-119607.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/USDA_Weekly_Drought_Monitor__Locally_Heavy_Rain_Provides_Drought_Relief_to_South_Central_U_S_-119607.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:52:52 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/ASA_Cheers_DOL_Decision_to_Re_Write_Child_Farm_Labor_Regulations-119605.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/ASA_Cheers_DOL_Decision_to_Re_Write_Child_Farm_Labor_Regulations-119605.html St. Louis, MOand#151;In response to a Wednesday’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor that it will re-examine draft rules that relate to youth working on farms, American Soybean Association President Steve Wellman releases the following statement in support of the move: “The American Soybean Association is pleased that the Department of Labor has agreed to re-write onerous draft rules that would have negatively impacted the ability of youth to work on family farms and gain agricultural experience. "The soybean industry and agriculture as a whole puts safety at the vanguard of our operations. "A successful farm is a safe Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:18:24 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/No_Dust_Explosion_Prevention_Rules_on_OSHA_Agenda__Washington_Post_-119601.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/No_Dust_Explosion_Prevention_Rules_on_OSHA_Agenda__Washington_Post_-119601.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:17:13 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Wichita_State_University__KS__Professor_Explains_Grain_Elevator_Explosions__KHQA_-119573.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Wichita_State_University__KS__Professor_Explains_Grain_Elevator_Explosions__KHQA_-119573.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:11:33 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/John_Engelen_Joins_CHS_as_VP__Government_Affairs-119600.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/John_Engelen_Joins_CHS_as_VP__Government_Affairs-119600.html St. Pual, MNand#151;CHS Inc. (NASDAQ: CHSCP), the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative, announced Feb. 3 John Engelen has been named vice president of Government Affairs, effective Feb. 20. Engelen will lead the company's federal and state government affairs, serving as CHS lead representative on a wide range of energy, grain, agriculture, cooperative and other issues with Congress, and federal and state agencies. He will also manage the company's Washington, D.C., government affairs office. Engelen will be based at CHS headquarters in St. Paul and report to Patrick Kluempke, executive vice president, Corporate Services. "We are very pleased to have Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:16:32 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/EGT_and_Union_Head_Back_to_Bargaining_Table_For_Port_of_Longview__Washington_Grain_Terminal_Deal__Oregon_Live_-119591.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/EGT_and_Union_Head_Back_to_Bargaining_Table_For_Port_of_Longview__Washington_Grain_Terminal_Deal__Oregon_Live_-119591.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:12:16 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/SK_Commits__10_Million_to_Wheat_Research_Over_Next_Five_Years__StarPhoenix_-119589.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/SK_Commits__10_Million_to_Wheat_Research_Over_Next_Five_Years__StarPhoenix_-119589.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:18 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Lawmakers_Blame_Lax_Oversight_For_MF_Global_Collapse__NYT_-119586.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Lawmakers_Blame_Lax_Oversight_For_MF_Global_Collapse__NYT_-119586.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:30:18 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/One_Injured__Residents_Allowed_to_Return_After_Explosion_at_Cairo_Coop_in_Arlington__KS__KWCH_-119572.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/One_Injured__Residents_Allowed_to_Return_After_Explosion_at_Cairo_Coop_in_Arlington__KS__KWCH_-119572.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:22:41 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Field_to_Market_Names_Fred_Luckey_Chairman-119560.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Field_to_Market_Names_Fred_Luckey_Chairman-119560.html Keystone, CO—Field to Market, The Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, has named Fred Luckey the first chairman of the alliance. Luckey’s appointment represents Field to Market’s dedication to collaboratively advance its work focused on improving the ability to provide food, fiber and fuel to future generations by increasing agricultural productivity while improving the environment or society. Through this position, Luckey will oversee member collaboration to further the mission of Field to Market, coordinate with related sustainability efforts and serve as the alliance’s spokesperson. Luckey, a long-time active member of Field to Market, recently retired as executive vice president at Bunge North Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:00:23 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/U_S__Wheat_Associates_Feb__2_Wheat_Letter-119569.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/U_S__Wheat_Associates_Feb__2_Wheat_Letter-119569.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:16:45 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Crop_Research_Institute_Studies_Update_Current_Data_on_Nitrogen__Soyatech_-119564.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Crop_Research_Institute_Studies_Update_Current_Data_on_Nitrogen__Soyatech_-119564.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:15:35 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Glambia_Nutritionals_and_Flax_Council_of_Canada_Announce_Flax_Research_Database-119563.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Glambia_Nutritionals_and_Flax_Council_of_Canada_Announce_Flax_Research_Database-119563.html Fitchburg, WI—The Flax Council of Canada and Glanbia Nutritionals are pleased to announce the availability of an extensive updated Flax Research Database for Human Health and Nutrition. With scientific evidence regarding the health benefits of flax and its constituents expanding at a rapid pace, this valuable resource enables the industry, health professionals and the scientific community to keep up with the increasing volume of information. Updating of the database was made possible through funding from Glanbia Nutritionals. "We are very pleased to partner with Glanbia on the development and update of the research database”, said William Hill, President of the Flax Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:59:27 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Wilmar_International_Makes_Strategic_Investment_in_Blue_Pacific_Flavors-119561.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Wilmar_International_Makes_Strategic_Investment_in_Blue_Pacific_Flavors-119561.html City of Industry, CA—Blue Pacific Flavors, a leading developer and manufacturer of natural and organic-compliant fruit flavors, announces a strategic capital investment by Asia's leading agribusiness group, Wilmar International Limited. Blue Pacific Flavors joins Wilmar International Limited's group of associated companies. Blue Pacific Flavors will maintain all domestic production of flavors and ingredients for its U.S. clientele from its headquarters manufacturing facility and RandD center in City of Industry, Calif. The company will continue all global operations including its facilities in China, offices in Malaysia, South Korea and the Philippines. Donald Wilkes remains unchanged in his role as CEO and Chairman Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:47:53 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Senate_Ag_Chair_Stabenow_Applauds_Reversal_of_Farm_Child_Labor_Rule-119559.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Senate_Ag_Chair_Stabenow_Applauds_Reversal_of_Farm_Child_Labor_Rule-119559.html Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, applauded the U.S. Department of Labor’s move to go back to the drawing board on a controversial farm labor rule that would have prevented many young people from working on family farms. After the Department first proposed the new rule, Senator Stabenow encouraged the Department to reconsider and solicit public input before making any new changes to the “parental exemption” of its rule related to child labor in agriculture. Today the Department agreed with Senator Stabenow, stopping its plans to implement the new rules and agreeing Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:26:36 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/ADM_Appoints_New_Director_and_Declares_Cash_Dividend-119555.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/ADM_Appoints_New_Director_and_Declares_Cash_Dividend-119555.html Decatur, ILand#151;Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) announced Feb. 2 that Alan Boeckmann, retired chairman and chief executive officer of Fluor Corporation, has been appointed to its Board of Directors and will serve on the Board’s Nominating/Corporate Governance and Compensation/Succession Committees. His appointment, which increases the Board’s size to 11, is effective immediately. Boeckmann served as the chief executive officer of Fluor Corporation from 2002-2011 and as non-executive chairman of its board of directors from 2011-2012. He is currently a director of Sempra Energy. He previously served on ADM’s Board of Directors from 2004-2008. He resigned from the ADM Board Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:47:38 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/CHS_Invests__10_000_in_KARL_Class_XI-119546.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/CHS_Invests__10_000_in_KARL_Class_XI-119546.html Manhattan, KSand#151;One of the 35 largest private companies in the United States has joined other contributors in supporting the current class of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program. CHS, Inc., a leading U.S. farmer-owned cooperative and diversified energy, grains and foods company, announced it is contributing $10,000 to the KARL program. KARL is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to developing leaders for agriculture, business and rural communities. “We are proud to support the efforts of Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership, Inc. and thank you for the opportunity to continue investing in the future of agriculture, rural America and cooperative business through Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:40:02 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Pacific_Coast_Canola_Announces_Key_Hires-119538.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Pacific_Coast_Canola_Announces_Key_Hires-119538.html Warden, WA—Pacific Coast Canola, a subsidiary of Legumex Walker Inc.(TSX: LWP), announced Feb. 1 the appointment of two members of its senior management team. R. Bruce McTavish has been named vice president of sales and marketing and Stephen L. Starr has joined the company as vice president of seed procurement. McTavish will join the company on February 1st and Starr assumed his duties with the company at the end of 2011. “Steve and Bruce are both tremendously talented and experienced professionals who understand the canola industry and its market,” said Kevin Raymond, Pacific Coast Canola vice president and general manager. “Steve will focus on working with elevators and growers, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, to obtain canola seed for our plant in the quantities we need and at competitive prices. Bruce, in turn, will oversee the sale and marketing of our products – canola oil and meal – to buyers in North America and beyond. We’re delighted to welcome them to the company.” Joel Horn, president and CEO of Pacific Coast Canola and of parent company Legumex Walker, said the hiring of McTavish and Starr represent two important milestones for the company. “Bruce and Steve really extend the PCC corporate presence ‘outside the fence’ and are very important additions to our team,” said Horn. “They’re going to be reaching out to our friends and neighbors in the Pacific Northwest and further abroad to source our seed and sell our products. "We think that they’ll find the same warm welcome we’ve consistently received in Warden and throughout the region.” Horn noted the Pacific Coast Canola construction project remains on time and budget. The company expects to complete foundation work and commence above-­‐ground construction this month. “Pacific Coast Canola is the right facility in the right place at the right time,” said McTavish. “We’re building the first commercial-­‐scale crusher west of the Rockies at a time when both canola oil and meal consumption is growing strongly. "I’m delighted to be joining a skilled and accomplished team and I’m looking forward to contributing to its success.” McTavish previously was employed by Viterra Canola Processing where he served as director of sales and marketing and also has held sales and marketing positions at BASF Canada, Wyeth-­‐ Cyanamid Crop Protection, and Pickseed Canada. He has diplomas in agriculture from the University of Manitoba and in Business Administration (marketing) from Red River Community College. “This is an exciting project and I’m pleased to be a part of it,” said Starr. “Our ability to source canola is a critical part of our business plan and we’re hoping to do as much of it as possible right here in the Pacific Northwest. "As I’ve begun meeting with growers and elevator operators I’ve seen strong interest in adding canola to crop rotations. "We plan to build on that interest to substantially increase canola production in the region.” Prior to joining Pacific Coast Canola, Starr was general manager of Inland Empire Oilseeds, a canola crushing and biodiesel refining facility located in Odessa, WA. He also has held operations and managerial positions with Great Western Malting Company and Froedtert Malt Corporation. Starr has a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture from Washington State University. For more information, call 612-839-­‐5172. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:04:26 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/CHS_Returns_Record__421_Million_to_Cooperative_Owners-119534.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/CHS_Returns_Record__421_Million_to_Cooperative_Owners-119534.html St. Paul, MNand#151;Farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States will share in a record $421 million disbursement from CHS Inc. (NASDAQ: CHSCP), the nation's leading agricultural co-op, marking the largest cash return ever by a U.S. cooperative. "This cash distribution represents the value of being a cooperative owner and customer," said Jerry Hasnedl, CHS board chairman and a St. Hilaire, Minn., farmer. "Not only do member cooperatives and producers have access to competitive CHS products, crop marketing and business services throughout the year, they also share in our profits. "This allows them to invest in the future of their local businesses, Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:25:09 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/ICE_Reports_6__Decline_in_January_Futures_Volume_-119532.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/ICE_Reports_6__Decline_in_January_Futures_Volume_-119532.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:20:47 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/CME_Group_Reports_4Q_Net_Income_of__745_9_Million__Up_From__196_2_Million_in_4q_2010-119530.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/CME_Group_Reports_4Q_Net_Income_of__745_9_Million__Up_From__196_2_Million_in_4q_2010-119530.html Chicago—CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CME) today reported full-year 2011 results, primarily driven by a 10 percent increase in overall average daily volume. During the year, the company posted annual average daily volume records across the foreign exchange, agricultural commodities, energy and metals product lines. Full CME Group Report Reflecting CME Group's strong cash flow, and consistent with our capital structure guiding principles, CME Group's board of directors raised the first-quarter regular dividend 59 percent, to $2.23 per share, based on a change to our dividend policy, increasing our payout target from 35 percent to 50 percent of prior year's Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:55:03 EST http://www.grainnet.com/articles/CME_Group_January_Volume_Averages_11_6_Million_Contracts_Per_Day__Up_21__From_December_2011-119516.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/CME_Group_January_Volume_Averages_11_6_Million_Contracts_Per_Day__Up_21__From_December_2011-119516.html Chicago—CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, announced Feb. 2 that January 2012 volume averaged 11.6 million contracts per day, down 5 percent from January 2010, but up 21 percent from December 2011. Total volume for January was 232 million contracts, of which 82 percent was traded electronically. Open interest at the end of January 2012 reached 87.1 million contracts, up 11 percent from the end of 2011. Open interest growth was 11 percent in the month of January 2012 versus 7 percent in the month of January 2011. January 2012 open interest growth was