Joe Dales's Blog – November 2013 Archive (2)

Markets react to drought and disease pressure in crops

The week of August 26 to 30 saw US markets face drought pressure and crop disease challenges, while corn futures strengthened, soybean exports lagged, and livestock markets moved higher.

FuelPositive Provides Corporate Update: French Offering Document Available, Updated Website, and Strong Financing Interest

FuelPositive Corporation ("FuelPositive" or the "Company") (TSXV: NHHH) (OTCQB: NHHHF), a Canadian technology leader delivering practical, farmer-owned, Green Ammonia technology solutions, is pleased to provide a corporate update. French Offering Document Now Available To ensure broad accessibility and inclusivity for Francophone investors, FuelPositive has released the French version of its Offering Document, now available on the Company's Investors page and filed on SEDAR+, alongside the English version. Updated Corporate Website FuelPositive has also launched a newly updated corporate website designed to provide shareholders, prospective investors, farmers, and partners with the most current information on the Company's technology, milestones, and strategic plans. The updated site showcases FuelPositive's progress as it transitions from development to deployment of its proprietary on-farm Green Ammonia systems. Strategic Investment Opportunity  FuelPositive is encouraged by th

Cleanfarms Reports Strong Progress in Agricultural Plastics Recovery with New National Collection Rates

As Cleanfarms celebrates 15 years of supporting Canadian farmers in managing agricultural plastics responsibly, the organization is reporting strong progress with recovery rates nationwide. Cleanfarms collected 10.1 million kg of agricultural plastics in 2024, a significant increase from the 9.2 million kg collected the previous year. Based on a three-year national average, the collection rate for small containers (under 23L) reached 81%, an increase from 78% in 2023. Similarly, bulk containers rose to a recovery rate of 62%, up from 59%. Grain bags in Saskatchewan also climbed to 69%, continuing its upward trend. “We’re seeing the results of strong partnerships and hard work on the ground,” said Barry Friesen, Executive Director at Cleanfarms. “It’s farmers who are preparing their materials properly and bringing them to collection sites, site staff who provide the drop-off locations, and our recycler partners who keep these materials moving through the value chain that are making t

Cleanfarms Celebrates Alberta’s Leadership in Agricultural Recycling

Alberta, where Cleanfarms’ small container recycling program began over 35 years ago, continues to demonstrate leadership. In 2024, the ‘Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle it!’ program delivered positive results, alongside the success of the Great Twine Round-Up Contest and with support of a new province-wide recycling awareness campaign. Alberta farmers and ranchers have long embraced responsible management of ag plastics, which started with the voluntary collection of small pesticide and fertilizer containers in 1989. The 2024 ag recycling results show a stronger-than-ever commitment from farmers and ranchers, who recovered 1,480 tonnes of ag plastics through all Cleanfarms programs in Alberta. 2024 Alberta Highlights: Grain bags: 548,000 kg collected, keeping large volumes of plastic out of landfills. Twine: 100,000 kg of twine was collected in 2024, including initial results from the Great Twine Round-up contest —a first-time opportunity that focused on youth engagement and resulted in

Are We Overlooking the Growing Crisis in Canada’s Seed Industry?

Canada is facing a significant shortage of seed analysts, and it’s a problem that threatens the future of our industry. It’s complex issue that stems from multiple factors, but perhaps the most glaring is the lack of recognition and compensation for this highly skilled work. The truth is, nobody’s paying enough for the level of expertise required. Seed analysis is incredibly demanding — it’s comparable to earning a degree, perhaps even more so. These professionals aren’t just checking seeds; they are assessing genetic purity, quality, and compliance, sometimes requiring accreditation that equals or surpasses a college degree. Yet, the wages often don’t reflect that level of skill. I’ve spoken with bright, young people starting their careers, and the truth is, they’re working for minimum wage. At our lab, I haven’t had trouble retaining staff — partly because of the environment we’ve created. The atmosphere here is good; I love training new people because I believe in the importance