NUTRIENTS

BHP says it won't overpay for Potash

Aug. 25, 2010 -In the first of three stories dealing with fertility and markets, an executive with BHP Billiton Ltd. has confirmed the company's interest in its $38.6-billion (US) bid for Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, but that it is prepared to walk away from the process entirely.        READ MORE

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Retail fertilizer trends

Aug. 25, 2010 -In light of (or in spite of) news of the BHP Billiton hostile takeover bid for Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, here is a retail-based perspective on fertilizer prices, courtesy of US-based DTN/Progressive Farmer.      READ MORE

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Potash is gold in fertlizer business

Aug. 25, 2010 -In the finale of three stories regarding the potash and fertilizer situation, this column raises a cautionary note on foreign takeovers of Canadian businesses, as well as concerns about the effect of the BHP Billiton takeover bid on a global agricultural sector that has to double food production by 2050.      READ MORE

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BHP Billiton would keep strong Sask. ties

Aug. 19, 2010 -In the second of two stories on BHP Billiton's bid to takeover Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Graham Kerr, BHP's president, says the company will base its operations in Saskatoon if it is successful with its bid.            READ MORE

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Hostile potash bid threatens Canada's grip on export price

Aug. 19, 2010 -In the first of two takes on BHP Belliton's takeover bid of Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, it is suggested that such a takeover will mean BHP's pullout of the group that controls overseas exports of Canadian potash.           READ MORE 

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Agrium bids for grain marketer

Aug. 17, 2010 -Calgary-based Agrium has set its sights on Australian grain marketer AWB Ltd, in a reported deal worth $1.14 billion (C$). But Agrium has competition, from local grain handler GrainCorp Ltd.    READ MORE

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Wide range of plants offer cellulosic biofuel potential

Aug. 17, 2010 -Researchers at the University of California-Berkeley are working to develop crops like miscanthus and agave for cellulosic biofuel production but they also have the potential to create biodiversity on marginal crop land.          READ MORE

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Biorefinery a step closer

Aug. 12, 2010 -A processing plant that will produce as much as 20 litres of cellulosic ethanol per day is one step closer to reality, thanks to $4 million invested by the Ontario government.  The Greenfield Ethanol facility in Chatham, Ontario, has been using corn cobs in its pilot plant, with a full-scale unit to be built at a cost of $38 million.                  READ MORE 

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Spotlight on wheat straw
Moving into the second decade of the 21st century, one in which private companies and governments alike are extremely keen to develop fuels and other products from renewable sources, the importance of wheat straw will continue to grow.

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Mitigating nutrient deficiencies
Now that prices of key nutrients like phosphorus and potash have come down, the 2010 growing season may be the year that farmers can get their fertilizer plans back on track.

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