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"Connecting the World's Best Specialty Grains Producers with the World's Best Customers" -- MSA's Midwest Specialty Grains Conference a success (09-05-08) -- The fifth annual 2008 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show, held August 26-28 in Minneapolis, received a strong successful turnout of specialty grains producers, processors, suppliers, as well as national and international grain buyers and traders.

Containerized grain exporters continue to search for equipment -- USDA report from Midwest Specialty Grains Conference (09-05-08) -- Grain shippers at this year's Specialty Grains Conference, sponsored by the Midwest Shippers Association, learned about the latest trends in transportation of containerized grain movements. Agricultural exporters continue to struggle to find sufficient containers and vessel capacity to meet the strong demand for their products overseas. However, there are indications that change may be on the horizon.

Price rises push soy beyond reach of poor in Indonesia, other countries (09-05-08) -- Over the past decade, Indonesia went from growing more than half its soy to relying on the U.S. for 70 per cent of it. Now the poor among this country's 220 million people are going hungry because of changes thousands of kilometers beyond their shores. It is the same story for dozens of countries that came to depend on richer nations for cheap food, only to find themselves squeezed when prices start rising last year.

Minneapolis Grain Exchange sets total exchange volume record (09-05-08) -- The Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) ended its 2007-08 fiscal year with a new total exchange volume of 1,684,439 contracts traded, a 4% increase over the previous year, and a 3.8% increase over the former record year of 2005-06.

BNSF to replace almost 20 track miles of rail in North Dakota (09-05-08) -- BNSF Railway Company will replace almost 20 track miles of rail at several locations between Beaver Hill, Mont., and Mandan, N.D., beginning Sept. 2. The project is expected to cost an estimated $8 million and is scheduled to conclude Oct. 16, 2008.

U.S. grain exports snagged by infrastructure delays (09-02-08) -- It's the dark side of the booming global demand for U.S. corn, wheat and soybeans. The surge in exports is revealing inefficiencies in the country's railways, highways and rivers that carry the grain that helps feed the world. And those bottlenecks are costing farmers, shippers and ultimately consumers millions of dollars a year.

Ag organizations back railroad anti-trust legislation (09-02-08) -- A coaltion of agriculture groups are calling for Congress to pass the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act when the session resumes this month.

Obama on transportation policy (09-02-08) -- Transportation rarely gets mentioned on the presidential campaign trail. Issues around infrastructure are complicated, after all; the work is expensive and the entrenched view of roads as a local matter means they're often taken for granted in the national debate. In other words, talking about potholes doesn't get presidential votes. However, speaking before hundreds of city mayors and other officials at the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Miami in June, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama not only embraced the topic but suggested that infrastructure investment would be an important pillar in his campaign.

McCain on transportation policy (09-02-08) -- As the United States heads toward choosing its first new president in eight years on Nov. 4, transportation, logistics and infrastructure groups are poring over the records of presumptive party nominees McCain on the Republican side and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois on the Democratic side with new urgency. The high-stakes game is aimed partly at mapping out the possible transportation policies of a new administration under either candidate. More significantly, however, it's aimed at filling in the transportation gaps for each candidate and setting policy planks more firmly to turn them into action plans next January.

U.S. ag exports forecast down, imports rise to record highs (09-02-08) -- Fiscal 2009 agricultural exports were forecast at $113 billion, down $1 billion from the revised 2008 estimate, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) said Aug. 28. Fiscal 2009 agricultural imports were forecast at a record $83 billion, up $4 billion from the revised 2008 estimate, but are at the slowest growth rate in many years.

MSA-s international Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show ready to roll August 26-27; still time to register to attend (08-22-08) -- The fifth annual, 2008 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show will kick off Tuesday, August 26 in Bloomington, MN and will continue through August 27, with an optional specialty grain industry tour on August 28. There is still time to register to attend this premier international trade focused grain industry event.

Midwestern legislators urge rail reform (08-22-08) -- A conference of legislators from 11 Midwestern states recently adopted a resolution calling on Congress to pass rail reform legislation. The Midwestern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments urged Congress to pass both the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act (H.R.1650 in the House and S.772 in the Senate) and the Railroad Competition and Service Improvement Act (H.R.2125 in the House and S.953 in the Senate).

China aims for 10 percent increase in grain production by 2020 (08-22-08) -- China plans to increase its annual grain output from current levels by an additional 50 million tons by 2020, state-run media reported on Aug. 19. China's current aggregate annual grain production stands at around 500 million tons. Another 50 million tons will be sufficient to satisfy growing demand from the expanding Chinese population in the coming decade, Farmer's Daily reported, quoting government regulators.

Iowa railroads search for rebuilding funds (08-22-08) -- A group of Iowa short line railroads is still trying to rebuild from devastating June floods, and looking for funds beyond $4 million in state loans awarded for in-line track work.

Rails or Roads? Rail carriers and truck lines battle for customers (08-22-08) -- Collaboration - not competition - remains the watchword for rail freight carriers and trucking companies even though steep oil prices already have caused hundreds of truck lines to shut down this year. Many may be wondering if the high cost of diesel fuel favors the railroad when it comes to the affordability of shipping freight, but companies on both sides of the equation agreed that demand for their respective modes of transportation is solid..... for now.

2008 Specialty Grains Conference to highlight Midwest region leadership in supplying quality IP grain to world markets (08-15-08) -- Current global food supply, international food quality demands, and export transportation hurdles are among issues that will be front-and-center at the 2008 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show set for August 26-28 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota U.S.A. If you haven't made your reservations yet to attend this premier industry event, it is time to do so.

The Bubble Bursts -- global container shipping capacity, demand in mismatch (08-15-08) -- The reality is starting to sink in with the global container shipping industry that its luck may be starting to run out. It may not be able to dodge its perennial nemesis of overcapacity any longer. The big new ships that the liner companies have been ordering and adding to their fleets in response to forecasts of robust global trade growth are hitting the global trade lanes just as their growth rates are slowing or even turning negative.

E.U. grain forecast rises, quality expectations lowered (08-15-08) -- Improved yield prospects, most notably in the eastern sector of the E.U., means total E.U. grain production is now forecast to reach 297 million tons this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) said Aug. 5. Within this total, wheat production was estimated at 143.5 million tons, barley at 62.5 million tons and corn (maize) at 57.4 million tones ? all increases from estimates made a month ago. While the outlook for corn quality remains very positive, there are some concerns for the quality of the wheat and barley crops in some regions, the FAS said.

Prince Charles warns of 'disaster' on GM food (08-15-08) -- Britain's Prince Charles said in an interview this week that the widespread development of genetically modified crops risks leading to the worst environmental "disaster" ever. Speaking to Britain?s Daily Telegraph newspaper, the Prince of Wales, an owner of an organic farm, added that relying on "gigantic corporations" for food production, rather than small farmers, would lead to an "absolute disaster". "What we should be talking about is food security not food production -- that is what matters and that is what people will not understand," the heir to the throne was quoted as saying.

Soybean import values excessive in June, Chinese customs says (08-15-08) -- Chinese Customs have given a "yellow light" warning to the import value of soybean in June, according to its monitoring and early warning analysis.

Make your reservations.... Ag shipping issues, U.S. transportation infrastructure center stage at Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show (08-07-08) -- Agricultural shipping issues, along with international trade opportunities, will be the focal points of the 2008 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show, set for August 26-28 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott Hotel, in Bloomington, MN. If you have not made your reservations to attend this premier event for the identity preserved (IP) specialty grains industry, it is time to do so.

Container grain exports to Asia up 64 percent in first five months of 2008 (08-07-08) -- The USDA Grain Transportation Report for this week (August 7, 2008) reports that in the first five months of 2008, containerized grain exports to Asia were 64 percent higher than for the same period last year.

Japan's food self-sufficiency rate up to 40 percent, first rise in 13 yrs (08-07-08) -- Japan's food self-sufficiency rate in fiscal 2007 rose 0.1 percentage point from the previous year to 40 percent in calorie terms -- the first increase in 13 years -- on higher rice consumption and the popularity of domestic vegetables, the farm ministry said this week.

Marubeni said to buy corn, soybeans directly from U.S. farmers (08-07-08) -- Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp. has acquired storage facilities in U.S. grain-producing regions, as part of a plan to buy corn and soybeans directly from local farmers and bypass major distribution companies, according to a published report. Marubeni purchased eight grain-storage facilities and two warehouses for agricultural materials from major U.S. soybean-processing firm AG Processing Inc., the Japanese business daily Nikkei said on its Web site.

UK poultry producers squeezed by non-GMO feed shortages (08-07-08) -- A standoff between poultry farmers and the main retailers in the United Kingdom (UK) on their GM policy for poultry production has left farmers with an uncertain future, as supplies of non-GM feed dwindle.

Make your reservations -- Identity Preservation for specialty grains featured by exhibitors at 2008 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show (08-01-08) -- Identity preservation (IP) is a critical component of services specialty grains processing and handling companies must do to meet the needs of their demanding customers in many overseas food grain markets, and in specialized domestic markets like organic foods. Several leading U.S. specialty grains companies that employ strict identity preservation procedures will be featured as exhibitors at the upcoming 2008 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show, set for August 26-28 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott Hotel, in Bloomington, MN and hosted by the Midwest Shippers Association (MSA).

India and China in unlikely trade alliance, as WTO talks fall apart over food concerns (08-01-08) -- HONG KONG -- China and India, seldom allies on trade issues, have unexpectedly wound up on the same side on world trade talks -- which collapsed in Geneva, Switz. this week as China made an abrupt change in policy due to food supply worries.

STB denies UP motion to dismiss fuel charge complaint (08-01-08) -- The Surface Transportation Board has denied a motion by Union Pacific to dismiss an "unreasonable practice complaint" filed by Dairyland Power Cooperative, objecting to fuel surcharges between Jaunary 2006 and February 2008. "On the record before us, UP has not shown that Dairyland's complaint offers no reasonable basis for further Board consideration," STB said.

Government of Japan prepares food safety proposals, following problems with imports from China - FAS report (08-01-08) -- USDA Foreign Agriculture Services (FAS) reported August 1 that 10 consumers in Japan recently fell seriously ill after eating frozen gyoza imported from China that contained a dangerous level of pesticides. Following this incident, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's office announced that it would seek to implement various new food safety measures.

Evergreen to begin extra surcharge for food grade containers (08-01-08) -- In light of the heavy demand for ag export containers -- and sensing an added revenue opportunity, some observers believe -- Evergreen shipping has announced it will offer and charge a Foodgrade Container Surcharge (FOODG) beginning August 27.

Mexico has a big appetite for grains, particularly from NAFTA trading partner U.S. (08-01-08) -- Mexico is a big grain consumer and a big grain buyer, and its membership in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has helped make it one of the biggest grain customers for the United States (U.S.).

Get your registration in -- Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Tradeshow to feature international trade with China, Japan, other Asian countries (07-28-08) -- The upcoming 2008 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show, set for August 26-28 in Minneapolis, MN USA, will put the spotlight on international trade opportunities in Asian countries for producers and traders of specialty food grains. If you haven't done so, it's time to make your reservations for this premier international event for the IP grain industry.

U.S. grain export potential strong in China says USGC (07-28-08) -- International representatives from the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) spoke about the potential for U.S. grains exports to China at the council's 48th annual Board of Delegates' Meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. Grain sales to China have been growing and the outlook remains strong. Japan and Taiwan over the years also have been steadily growing.

China's dramatic growth in soybean imports affects global markets (07-28-08) -- Farm economist Daryll Ray recently took a look at China and its impact on world soybean markets over the last 17 years. According to Ray, rather than placing a significant upward pressure on world crop prices over the last decade, it could be argued that China's increase in soybean imports for use as animal feed "has lit a bonfire fire under the feet of Brazil's agricultural sector".

ASEAN ministers to work on efforts to tackle soaring food prices (07-28-08) -- SINGAPORE -- Foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations will try to work on efforts to tackle soaring food prices and ensure adequate food supply amid concerns that the economic impact of rising prices may threaten regional political stability, the ministers said last week.

Vitasoy introduces new line of 'light' soymilks (07-28-08) -- Vitasoy, the soymilk manufacturer, has come out with a new line of "Lite Plus" soymilks that are now available at super markets and natural foods stores nationally. The new product offers fewer calories, less sugar, and better calcium absorption and it's gluten free, according to Walt Riglian, Vitasoy's President/CEO.

Speculation big contributor to rising food prices, Japanese government report finds (07-17-08) -- The massive inflow of speculative funds into commodity markets is playing a big part in driving prices of oil and food higher, harming the world's economic growth and the lives of the most vulnerable, an annual Japanese government report has determined.

EU corn imports up by more than 400 percent over past three year period (07-17-08) -- The 27 European Union (EU) member countries imported a total 13.4 million tons of maize (corn) for the period of July 2007 to May 2008, up by more than 400 percent over a three-year period, according to EU statistics.

California Legislature moves closer to passing mandatory container fee bill (07-17-08) -- Containers moving through the busy Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Oakland would be assessed a $60-per-FEU/$30 per TEU fee under a bill passed earlier this week by the California Assembly.

Cargill launches specialty canola research center in Saskatchewan (07-17-08) -- Cargill hosted an event to mark the launch of the company's future specialty canola research and production centre, scheduled to open in Saskatchewan in November 2008

European grain trade companies under investigation (07-17-08) -- The European Commission on July 10 conducted "unannounced inspections" at the offices of traders and distributors of grains and other agricultural products in "two member states." "The commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EC treaty rules on cartels and restrictive business practices," the commission said.

Thinking inside the box: containers give Chicago an edge (07-10-08) -- The rapid growth of the container grain trade offers one window into the frenzied global food market and its fast-rising costs. It is another piece in the puzzle that helps explain why grain--and food--prices have risen so sharply in recent months. It also shows where demand for mainstay U.S. grains like corn and soybeans is most intense, and how and why exporters are adjusting to rising profits out of a difficult climate of increased shipping and production costs.

Romania imports U.S. identity preserved soybeans (07-10-08) -- Romania's largest tofu producer has begun importing U.S. identity preserved food grade soybeans.

Brazil's grain harvest forecast at record high (07-10-08) -- The Brazilian government said July 8 that the country's 2007-08 grain harvest is expected to reach a record high of 142.42 million tons, an 8% increase over last year?s record crop of 131.8 million tons.

Russia proposes grain summit (07-10-08) -- At the G8 summit in Japan this week, Russia proposed holding a grain summit as one way of resolving the food safety issue.

Safflower production doubles in California this year on lack of water (07-10-08) -- Having to make due with less water, California farmers are reassessing their planting of tomatoes, cotton, corn and other water-intensive crops. A popular replacement this year - safflower.

Investor's Business Daily remains bullish on railroads (07-10-08) -- Investors Business Daily (IBD) says that at the end of this year?s first half, railroad stocks ranked No. 14 among the 197 industry groups it follows.

How to find a box - 'Shipper-owned containers' profiled at AgTC meeting (07-03-08) -- "We try to make it work where no money changes hands," John Maccarone, president and chief executive of Textainer told the recent AgTC meeting. Sound too good to be true? Shipper-owned containers, as these leased boxes are called (Even though they are owned by leasing companies, or even other carriers), have been a part of shipping in Europe for years. But in the U.S., they account for only a tiny fraction of export containers. Lessors are eager to provide 'shipper-owned' equipment, but the ocean lines may not want to carry them.

China faces serious challenges on grain supply, premier says (07-03-08) -- China faces serious challenges in ensuring it will have enough grain to feed its population in the decades to come, with urbanization and climate change two major problems, Premier Wen Jiabao said.

STB forces CSX to drop "unreasonably high" rail rates in small shipper rate challenge (07-03-08) -- Score one for the captive shippers. The Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued a decision July 1 ordering railroad provider CSX to reduce the rates it was charging chemicals maker DuPont in six different lanes. The ruling could lead to more small shipper rate challenges being filed with the STB.

EU's cereal duties to remain suspended for another year (07-03-08) -- The European Union's cereal import duties will remain suspended for the next marketing year, which will end on Jun. 30, 2009.

Pumping up intermodal (06-26-08) -- The soaring cost of fuel is stimulating shipper interest in intermodal services, and new companies are rushing to be ready for them. "Intermodal is growing leaps and bounds because it is a greener option, it's a fuel-saving option," said David Ware, COO of Eleets Transportation.

BNSF ready for harvest season in northern Great Plains. (06-26-08) -- Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad is poised to handle upcoming harvest in North Dakota and the northern Great Plains states.

USDA assessing impact of floods on crops (06-26-08) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is taking several steps to assess the impact on the 2008 crop acreage from the impact of the rainfall and flooding on this year's grain harvest.

Banking on infrastructure (06-26-08) -- Proposals for a national infrastructure funding bank may be barely off the ground in Washington, D.C., but communities along the nation's infrastructure fault lines are already lining up at the teller's window.

China's growing prosperity brings higher demand for meat (06-26-08) -- Chinese are eating more meat than ever. A steady dietary transition is under way in China, as the country grows more prosperous. Barely half a century ago, the nation suffered a famine so severe that several million people died of hunger. Back then, the Chinese diet was mostly limited to rice, a limited selection of vegetables, soybean-based tofu and the rare meat dish. Now supermarket shelves sag under an array of foods.

Commentary: Abolish the Canadian rail monopoly (06-26-08) -- Commentary from Canada: Canadian National and Canadian Pacific operate monopolies on significant parts of their railway networks. They enjoy almost unlimited power over rates and service in uncontested or "captive" markets and at present there are no market-based solutions to counteract that power. Why should Canadians care? Because unfettered railway monopoly power is undermining the competitiveness of a number of important Canadian industries.

High cost of fertilizer poses new threat to food system (06-11-08) -- With food prices soaring and stocks thinning, the world is in need of bumper harvests but once one of most bountiful of commodities, fertilizer, is becoming scarce and expensive.

Kikkoman to open R&D lab in Madison, Wisconsin (06-11-08) -- Kikkoman Foods Inc. will open a research and development laboratory in Madison's University Research Park this fall.

Bumper harvests may dampen Asian food price increases (06-11-08) -- Singaporeans emptying their pockets to pay for skyrocketing food prices can expect some breathing space later this year. Bumper harvests in wheat, rice, sugar and dairy products have caused prices across the board to dip.

Argentina missing out on grain bonanza as country's farm crisis sparks fears of economic downturn (06-11-08) -- Argentina, one of the world's biggest breadbaskets, should be rolling in cash as world food prices soar. Instead, soy, wheat and corn have sat for weeks in silos as farmers protesting new export taxes suspended sales

Ag shippers hail study -- Proponents expect government scrutiny to shed light on damage caused by poor rail service (06-05-08) -- Many agricultural shippers expect a government-mandated study on "rural transportation issues" to tell them what they already know: poor rail service is hurting their business. "The rate increases have just been horrendous," said Bruce Abbe, executive director of the Midwest Shippers Association. "A lot of ag shippers feel like they have been blind-sided repeatedly almost every week."

The Food Chain -- Billions invested in farming (06-05-08) -- Huge investment funds have already poured hundreds of billions of dollars into booming financial markets for commodities like wheat, corn and soybeans. But a few big private investors are starting to make bolder and longer-term bets that the world's need for food will greatly increase -- by buying farmland, fertilizer, grain elevators and shipping equipment.

USDA forecasts record $108.5 billion in U.S. agricultural exports in 2008 (06-05-08) -- U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer on May 30 announced an updated quarterly forecast for U.S. agricultural exports -- expected to reach a record $108.5 billion for fiscal year 2008. Today's upward revision is a $7.5 billion increase from February's previous record forecast and $26.5 billion above the final 2007 exports. Grains and animal products account for two-thirds of the export gains.

China expected to look to U.S. for more corn (06-05-08) -- Things are changing in China. The Asian nation, once self-sufficient when it comes to corn, will be looking for more -- a lot more -- in the future. That means importing it. "The demand for corn increases with the rise of the demand for meat," said Scott Rozelle, a professor at Stanford University and an expert on Chinese agriculture.

Leaders clash over biofuels at FAO food conference (06-05-08) -- ROME -- Leaders gathered at a summit on the world's food crisis quickly laid out their disagreements on a key issue: how much the rush for environmentally friendly biofuels is contributing to soaring prices that are causing hunger and unrest worldwide.

SunOpta to build new soymilk processing facility in California (06-05-08) -- SunOpta Inc. has announced that it plans to build a production facility in Modesto, California to produce and package organic aseptic soymilk and other aseptic beverages.

National Starch expands its certified organic starch products made from waxy corn (06-05-08) -- National Starch is extending its range of Novation functional native starches to include two new starches made from waxy corn that are suitable for use in products geared towards the certified organic trend.

Missing exports: Shortages of vessel capacity, containers threatens advantage of weak dollar (05-29-08) -- U.S. exporters may lose tens of millions of dollars in potential sales because of the shortages of vessel capacity and containers. Foreign buyers who would like to take advantage of the weak dollar to purchase goods from the U.S. at bargain prices may turn to other suppliers out of frustration over long delays and unreliable delivery schedules.

Japanese exporters shift to non-dollar currencies for transactions (05-29-08) -- Japanese exporters are increasing transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, in order to prevent the dollar's fall against the yen from hurting their bottom lines, according to a published report.

USDA to cut program that tracks pesticide use (05-29-08) -- The federal government is eliminating a long-running program that gathers data on the use of pesticides on farm fields.

Railroads said to be four times more fuel efficient than trucks (05-29-08) -- For every 27 gallons of diesel consumed by trucks to haul one ton of freight, railroads burn seven gallons to reach a similar distance, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

As food prices spiral, farmers, others profit (05-29-08) -- The winners in the new food economy include crop farmers selling corn and wheat for near-record highs after years of crushingly low prices. Ingredient makers like Cargill and ADM are rife with profits. Fertilizer and tractor companies are cashing in. Hedge funds which made big bets on rising wheat, soy and corn were spectacularly correct. Oil and gas companies, too ? it takes natural gas to cook those Wheaties and diesel to haul them around the country.

Farm Bill passed with $1.3 billion over 10 years for organics, specialty crops (05-22-08) -- This week, President Bush vetoed the overall $289 billion Farm bill. However, today the House voted to override the veto by a wide margin, and the Senate is expected to also vote for an override. New funding in the Congressionally-approved farm bill includes $1.3 billion over 10 years for specialty crops including organic agriculture, research, and fruit and vegetable programs.

EU proposes extensive overhaul of farm program spending (05-22-08) -- The European Commission proposed Tuesday to restructure farm spending in the bloc, but the plans fell far short of the liberal farm policy favored by countries like Britain, while they sharpened a debate with France, which has sought to preserve generous support for agriculture.

Mixed signals on intermodal traffic (05-22-08) -- If the entire North American intermodal industry keyed off the numbers of stack trains coming into the United States from Canada, container traffic would be surging this year. But it doesn't, and it's not. Canadian rail lines saw their international loads to U.S. destinations rise 20 percent in the first quarter, the Intermodal Association of North America reported. But overall international loads fell 5.2 percent to swamp a 1.7 percent gain in domestic shipments, and for the entire continent intermodal volume fell 2.4 percent, IANA said.

European conference seeks to lay groundwork to hold producers of GMO crops liable for damage to local plants (05-22-08) -- At an international conference held in Europe participants agreed on May 16 to hold producers or handlers of genetically engineered organisms liable for damage their products cause to native plants or animals, conference organizers said.

Western Australian "Quality-Assured" IP grain shipment to Indonesia delayed (05-22-08) -- The shipment of a new type of quality-assured traceable grain from Esperance, Western Australia to Indonesia has been delayed.

Prince Rupert casts a wary eye on Chicago (05-22-08) -- As Canadian National Railway Co.'s Chicago expansion plans draw new high-profile opposition from the likes of U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, Don Krusel is looking on with more than a little self interest.

Port of Toledo considers 'short-sea' container shipping (05-22-08) -- The Port of Toledo ships out grain and ships in iron ore, but it is not, and never has been, anything more than a bit player in the containerized shipping industry that dominates the U.S. and world economies. Nor has any other Great Lakes port except Toronto. But ever-growing demand for container shipping, resulting in bigger ships and port congestion, could breathe new life into Great Lakes ports like Toledo, with what is now being called "short-sea" shipping.

Senate and House Pass Farm Bill By Margin that Could Override Veto (05-15-08) -- The U.S. Senate passed the conference committee Farm Bill by an 81 to 15 margin today. On Wednesday, the House also passed the bill by a 318 to 106 vote.

Bill aimed at rebuilding nation's infrastructure introduced in House (05-15-08) -- Last week, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) introduced the U.S. Commission on Rebuilding America for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 5976), which proposes to address the nation's infrastructure crisis by providing Congress a mechanism to develop national infrastructure investment guidelines.

As China and India Rise, Diets Change and Food Demands Soar (05-15-08) -- The roots of todays food crisis span the globe, from sky-high oil prices in the Middle East to the diversion of crops from food to biofuel in the U.S., to drought-stricken harvests in Australia. But the crisis also has focused attention on a longer-term trend: the growing, evolving appetites of developing giants such as China and India.

Bring End to Railroad Antitrust Exemption (05-15-08) -- Recent action by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee to approve the "Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007" is a step forward, says Sheboygan Press commentary.

CP Rail Vows Steady Flow of Grain Shipments (05-15-08) -- Canadian Pacific Railway is taking steps to make sure grain and other high-demand commodities flow more smoothly across the continent, the company's chief executive said.

Minnesota Passes Statewide B20 Biodiesel Mandate (05-15-08) -- Minnesota has taken another step towards promoting domestic energy security and reducing the state's carbon footprint. On Monday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill that will increase the current 2 percent biodiesel mandate to 20 percent by 2015. According to the legislation, the current 2 percent biodiesel mandate will increase to 5 percent on May 1, 2009; to 10 percent on May 1, 2012; and to 20 percent on May 1, 2015.

Proposed U.S. Aid Package Seeks to Boost GM Crops in Development Countries (05-15-08) -- The Bush administration has slipped a controversial ingredient into the $770 million aid package it recently proposed to ease the world food crisis, adding language that would promote the use of genetically modified crops in food-deprived countries.

Sustainable Technology Key to Success for Soy into 2020, says USB (05-08-08) -- The verdict is out on what factors will weave the fabric of the soybean industry over the next few years. More than a year of visioning and research by a diverse group of soy industry leaders points to sustainable technologies existing both for soy and other crops.

EU Delays Decision on Approval for Licensing of Three New Biotech Crops (05-08-08) -- The European Commission has delayed decisions on licensing the cultivation of three biotech crops. This raises new doubts about whether the EU will live up to promises to open its market to genetically modified foods. EU officials say the two corn and one potato crops that had been up for a decision on Wednesday, May 7 are being sent back for another round of scientific reviews by the EU's food safety agency in Parma, Italy.

Official Says China's Grain Stocks Sufficient; Beijing Acts to Stop Illicit Exports (05-08-08) -- China has enough grain to keep food prices steady, the country's economic planner said Tuesday amid reports authorities were struggling to prevent the smuggling of rice and wheat to overseas markets.

Container Shortage Mess Hits Critical Mass (05-08-08) -- Northern Plains specialty crop exporters, already hobbled by exorbitant overland freight expenses, now face the even grimmer prospect of simply being able to find enough containers to carry their products overseas

Container Shortage Crisis Reaching Critical Mass (05-05-08) -- Northern Plains specialty crop exporters, already hobbled by exorbitant overland freight expenses, now face the even grimmer prospect of simply being able to find enough containers to carry their products overseas.

Grain Companies' Profits Soar As Global Food Crisis Mounts (05-01-08) -- At a time when parts of the world are facing food riots, Big Agriculture is dealing with a different sort of challenge: huge profits.

U.S. House Committee Approves End to Exemption From Antitrust Law for Railroads (05-01-08) -- The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would eliminate the railroad industry's exemption from antitrust law. Shippers, especially those who use only one rail line, have long complained about inadequate competition and unfair rates.

BNSF profit up 30 percent (05-01-08) -- Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. on Tuesday reported profit jumped 30 percent in the first quarter based on volume growth in the agricultural products sector and on improved yields all around.

Exporting DDGS China, India may be the next major importing countries of the ethanol byproduct (05-01-08) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is forecasting a record $101 billion in agricultural exports from the United States in 2008. Included in that forecast is an anticipated surge in the export of dried distillers grains and solubles (DDGS), an ethanol byproduct that continues to gain global market share as an animal feed product.

China Agri Sets Sight on Overseas Grain Producers as Prices Surge (05-01-08) -- China Agri-Industries Holdings, a Hong Kong-listed unit of the mainland's largest food importer and exporter, is seeking overseas acquisitions to secure supply lines of grain as commodity prices continue to surge worldwide.

Prices Soar as Great Plains Wheat is Shoved Aside Decades of Great Plains' wheat as king and low prices everywhere are over (05-01-08) -- Across America, turmoil in the world wheat markets has sent prices of bread, pasta, noodles, pizza, pastry and bagels skittering upward, bringing protests from consumers. But underlying this food inflation are changes that are transforming U.S. agriculture and making a return to the long era of cheap wheat products doubtful at best.

Great Lakes Feeder Lines Adds Container Shipping Vessel (04-24-08) -- Great Lakes Feeder Lines has announced the purchase of a European container vessel that will bring short season container shipping to the Great Lakes.

French Senate Passes Controversial GMO Bill (04-24-08) -- France's upper house of parliament has passed a bill that sets out conditions for growing genetically modified crops, despite heavy opposition from environmental opponents.

Grain Supply Fears in Europe Subside as Production Rises (04-24-08) -- EUROPE will not run out of cereals, despite dire predictions by some forecasters. The latest report from the European Commission on the prospects for agricultural markets and incomes suggests an increase in returns to growers in the medium term and rising production.

India Expects Record Food Grain Output (04-24-08) -- India, facing its highest inflation rate in three years, received positive news this week when the government announced record food grain estimates.

Portland's Container Volume Surges; China Shipping to Expand in Seattle (04-24-08) -- The Port of Portland reported its strongest month of container shipping in four years in March. Meanwhile, the Port of Seattle announced April 21 that China Shipping Lines will expand its Seattle container service.

First Shipment of Quality Assured Grain to Leave Western Australia (04-24-08) -- The first shipment of fully quality assured, Grain Pool Integrated Quality (GPIQ) Grain is scheduled to leave the Esperance port in western Australia in about two weeks, bound for Indonesia, the CBH Group said April 18.

2008 Specialty Grains Conference to Highlight Midwest Region Leadership in Supplying Quality IP Grain to World Markets (04-18-08) -- Current global food supply, international food quality demands, and export transportation hurdles are among issues that will be front-and-center at the 2008 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show set for August 26-28 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota U.S.A. Hosted by the Midwest Shippers' Association (MSA), the Midwest Specialty Grain Conference and Trade Show brings together all facets of the identity preserved (IP) specialty grain industry at an international buyer/seller oriented trade show.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, Asoyia Enter Into Low Linolenic IP Soybean Agreement (04-18-08) -- Pioneer Hi-Bred, a division of DuPont, and Asoyia, Inc., have entered into an agreement making Pioneer brand 1 percent ultra low linolenic soybean varieties with the Roundup Ready trait eligible for participation in the Asoyia Identity Preserved soybean program.

Canadian Grain Elevator Association says Balanced Accountability Key to Railroad Service Issues (04-18-08) -- Complaints by Canadian agricultural shippers have led to announcements that the government will be conducting a Railway Service Review. Meanwhile, the head of Canada's Western Grain Elevator Association said "balanced accountability" is the key to solving railroad issues in the country.

China Grain Trade in Deficit for January, February (04-18-08) -- China's foreign trade in farm produce went into deficit in the first two months of the year, compared with a surplus during the same period last year, China?s Ministry of Agriculture said this week.

Railroad Traffic Could Grow Thanks to High Fuel Costs (04-18-08) -- With diesel topping $4 a gallon and trucking prices rising accordingly, it could become a boom time for trains for shipping freight, a New England newspaper reports.

Roundup prices are on the rise, farmers feel the hit (04-10-08) -- Prices are on the rise for Roundup, the herbicide used with so many bioengineered crops.

Railroad Shippers Say Lack of Antitrust Enforcement Hindering Rail Competition (04-10-08) -- Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate aimed at removing certain anti-trust exemptions for railroads.

Brazil Government Predicts Record Harvests (04-10-08) -- Brazil's government forecast this week the country will harvest 140.5 million tons of grains this year, breaking the 2007 record of 133.1 million tons.

Container Shortage Puts Brakes on U.S. Export Boom (04-10-08) -- Many U.S. companies hoping to profit from surging exports created by the weak dollar are facing an unexpected hurdle: There aren't enough of the big, metal shipping containers that help form the backbone of the global economy.

Solae Announces Global Price Increase of Up to 30% for Soy Protein Ingredients (04-10-08) -- Solae LLC, the Bunge/Dupont joint venture soy food technology company, announced April 4 that global prices for its soy protein ingredients will increase effective immediately.

Wisconsin proposed soybean crushing plant received $4 million state grant (04-08-08) -- Ground could be broken on the Wisconsin's first soybean crushing plant by June 2009 with the help of a $4 million state grant announced this week. However, construction on an adjacent biodiesel plant is currently stalled.

Worldwide Certified Organic Crops Reach 76 million Acres (04-03-08) -- A recent report states there are now 31 million hectares -- or 76 million acres -- of certified organic farmland worldwide.

Minnesota Agriculture Department Releases Study of State's Ethanol Transportation Capability (04-03-08) -- The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has released the results of the first statewide study of ethanol transportation in Minnesota.

Argentine Farmers' Strike Suspended, Brazil Portworkers Launch Strike (04-03-08) -- Argentine farmers this week suspended a three-week strike over a tax hike on soy exports that has paralyzed grain exports, caused food shortages and sparked a political crisis. Meanwhile news services report that port workers at Paranagua port in northern Brazil went on strike, bringing the port's soybean shipments overseas to a standstill.

New Safflower Lines Developed by USDA Improve Winter Survival (04-03-08) -- Three new safflower germplasm lines developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Pullman, Wash., are now available for improving the oilseed crop's winter survival, or "hardiness."

Breeding Efforts Aim to Save Non-GMO and Organic Corn Seed (04-03-08) -- Increasing acreage of genetically modified corn, greater GMO contamination risks, and fewer seed companies developing non-GMO corn varieties are combining to threaten the future of non-GMO and organic corn seed. But corn breeders are developing corn hybrids with traits to preserve and enhance organic and non-GMO production.

Congress Pressed to Beef-up Railroad Regulation (03-27-08) -- A coalition of farm and rural business interests called Consumers United for Rail Equity, including the Midwest Shippers' Association, has banded together to press Congress to challenge the monopoly power of the nation's railroads.

ADM Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Railroads (03-27-08) -- Archer Daniels Midland is suing the five major U.S. railroads, accusing them of violating antitrust laws in fixing their fuel surcharges.

South Korea to Lift Tariffs on Grains, Other Raw Materials (03-27-08) -- South Korea government leaders recently said the country will lift import tariffs on dozens of grains and raw materials and seek to freeze public utility charges in efforts to battle inflation.

Canadian Wheat Board requests Canadian government review rail costs (03-27-08) -- The big Canadian railway companies are making more than $100 million a year in Canadian dollars in unreasonably excessive returns at the expense of Canadian farmers, according to an independent study commissioned by the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).

Northern Crops Institute Hosts Seminars on Flax, Pelletizing DDGs (03-27-08) -- The Northern Crops Institute this week hosted a flax workshop inconjunction with the 62nd annual International Flax Insitute. NCI also announced an upcoming workshop on pellet manufacturing of distillers dried grains, slated for April 22-23.

Food Imports by Middle East's Gulf Cooperation Council Hits $10 billion (03-27-08) -- The Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) food imports have recently reached $10 billion during a period when global crop shortages are high, Gulf News reported.

Kansas City intermodal terminal opens (03-21-08) -- The new Center Point-KCS Intermodal Terminal at the former Richard Gebaur air base in Kansas City, Mo., opened to traffic March 17.

Indonesia Considers Importing Soybeans From Brazil to Reduce Dependence on U.S. Beans (03-21-08) -- JAKARTA -- The Indonesian government is studying the possibility of importing soybeans from Brazil in an effort to reduce its dependence on the commodity from the United States, Indonesian Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono said March 15.

Taiwan to Exempt Bulk Commodity Imports from Tariffs (03-21-08) -- TAIPEI -- Taiwan's government is planning to flexibly exempt imports of bulk commodities from customs duties as a measure to ease domestic inflationary pressure, a Taiwanese Ministry of Finance (MOF) official said last week.

South Dakota Governor Signs Rail Eminent Domain Bill (03-21-08) -- South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds has signed legislation allowing expedited procedures for railroads wishing to acquire property for rights-of-way.

Thai Government Urged to Permanently End Soybean Import Tariff (03-21-08) -- Thailand's government should stop collecting import tariffs on soybean meal permanently, not for only one year, if it really wants to help entrepreneurs and farmers, according to Thailand Animal Feed Association President Pornsilp Patcharintanakul.

Gardner, Kansas Grants Tax Breaks for Rail Hub, Intermodal Facility (03-21-08) -- Discounting critics, Gardner, Kan., city council members voted to grant developers an 85 percent tax break to bring a logistics park and rail hub to southwest Johnson County, local newspapers report. On a 3-2 vote, the council agreed to a plan to give BNSF and its contractor, The Allen Group, the tax break to build the 600-acre hub and seven million square feet of warehouse space.

Agriculture Will Need to Produce More With Less, Monsanto CEO says; Optimistic About Possibilities (03-21-08) -- Today's researchers are already working to solve tomorrow's challenges for agriculture, Hugh Grant, chairman, president and CEO of Monsanto, told a meeting of the agriculture community in Arizona.

Soybean Acres Likely to Expand at Expense of Corn; USDA Prospective Plantings Report Eagerly Anticipated (03-14-08) -- Increasingly, the dominant factor determining corn and soybean prices will be 2008 production prospects in the northern hemisphere,according to University of Illinois Extension Marketing Specialist Darrel Good. Good's forecasts came as he reviewed recent actions in the corn, soybean, wheat markets, where a steep rally that began last fall faltered over the past week. After moving to a high of $5.85, December 2008 corn futures dropped about 45 cents. The decline in wheat and soybean futures prices was even more dramatic. After topping at $12.65, July 2008 wheat futures at Chicago lost $2.10. The November 2008 soybean contract reached a high of $14.73 before dropping about $2.05 by early in the session on March 10.

BNSF Agrees to Reduce Container Rates for ND Bulk Commodity Shipments (03-14-08) -- BNSF Railway has agreed to reduce its rates for the shipment of containers of bulk commodities originating from Minot and Fargo/Dilworth. BNSF has agreed to lower the rates so they are comparable with shipping costs from Minneapolis.

Containerized Grain Shipping Provides More Options (03-14-08) -- Global demands for a more flexible logistics system that can deliver smaller lots of products with precise product traits has brought containerized shipping of agriculture products to the forefront.

SunOpta to Acquire Amersterdam-based Organic Food Ingredients Company; Enters Joint Venture for Vegetable Oil Refining Operation in Colorado