August 2, 2009
Colgate Revenue Misses Estimates on Hill’s, Asia | www.bloomberg.com
Unless Colgate changes their "go-to-market" strategy for the Hill's Science Diet product, I predict they will continue to see sales declines in a category that is very profitable and has significant growth potential. My recommendation is that Colgate seriously consider offering their Hills product to the FDMC channel and follow the route previously taken by Procter & Gamble with Iams. Traditional retailers would welcome their brand and pet specialty would not be likely to drop it.
Nutreco Expands Feed Business With Purchase of Some Cargill Agribrand Operations
August 2, 2009
Nutreco to acquire Cargill's animal nutrition operation in Spain and Portugal | www.domain-b.com
Nutreco continues to expand, even in a very difficult market with the purchase of Cargill's Agribrand operations in Spain and Portugal. This will continue to push Nutreco as one of the largest global animal premix and compound feed producers. These is a slow growth, and low margin business, but Nutreco has been able to find some rewarding pockets.
ABB Prepares For Marriage With Viterra- Shareholder/Farmers Still Have Final Say
August 1, 2009
New executive committee appointed at Australia's ABB Grain: Viterra | www.leaderpost.com
ABB's managing director Michael Iwaniw has followed through with his retirement and the company has appointed a new executive committee waiting for merger with Viterra. Main obstacle remaining is the shareholder/farmer vote on September 9th. Many say it is a done deal, but it still seems too close to call.
US Ethanol Industry Shows It's Power On Brazilian Exports Even When No Threat
July 29, 2009
RFA advocates keeping secondary tariff on ethanol imports | www.biofuelsbusiness.com
High sugar prices and reduced sugar production in Brazil are drastically reducing Brazil's ethanol exports. Even so, the US Renewable Fuels Association jumps to patch a possible weak point in their armor of import duties, by supporting a delay in confirmation of new Ambassador and Senator Grassley (R-IA)
Global Soybean Shortage Could Become Major Surplus in 8 Months
July 25, 2009
Corn, Soybeans Decline as Cool, Wet Weather Boosts U.S. Yields | www.bloomberg.com
U.S. and foreign soybean stocks are extremely low right now as a result of strong demand and a poor crop in South America. However, if the weather cooperates the world may have a glut of soybeans in only about 8 months.
El Nino Is Back And There Will Be Impacts On Weather And Crops
July 23, 2009
El Nino Now Official - Possible Implications | www.rightsidenews.com
El Nino is now officially back. If it continues to strengthen it will impact weather and crops in some major growing areas around the world including India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Brazil and the USA. It is a question of how strong it gets and how long it lasts, but the first impacts appear to be visible already in India.
Great Weather- How Large Will The US Corn And Soybean Crop Be?
July 22, 2009
U.S. corn pollination weather ideal, soybeans eyed | www.reuters.com
The US Midwest is in the middle of the critical silking/pollination stage of corn and pod setting for soybeans. Weather has been good and the forecast continues to be favorable for the next two weeks. Latest projections are for an ever growing harvest.
Sun, Heat and Water Make a Corn and Soybean Crop Grow
July 14, 2009
U.S. corn pollination weather ideal, soybeans eyed | www.reuters.com
The Midwest should have ideal weather for corn pollination over the next two weeks and this could result in a larger crop then estimated by the USDA. Nevertheless the crops will need more then these two weeks before the crop is made and ready for harvest, and a lot can go wrong.
If Corn and Soybean Production Is Up- Who Are Winners and Losers?
July 12, 2009
USDA boosts corn, soybeans production, cuts price forecasts | www.meatingplace.com
The USDA is now forecasting the largest soybean crop in history and the second largest corn crop. If the crops come to fruition there will be winners and losers in the agribusiness and food sector.
June 23, 2009
Fertilizer Divide: Too Much, Not Enough | dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com
A recent China study on application rate of nitrogen for corn production could have a large impact on volume used. Recent historical research of nutrient use within the USA may suggest there is more to corn yield performance than fertilizer use.
Shale gas abundance provides new options for energy companies
February 13, 2012
Chesapeake Energy bites the natural gas bullet
January 25, 2012
Flurry of newbuild drilling rig deliveries in 2012 may dampen rig rates
January 20, 2012
Talisman joins the ranks of cautious E&P companies
January 12, 2012
Early signs of caution begin to cloud frontier exploration and production
January 4, 2012