Viterra Invests $1M in the Canadian International Grains Institute

Mar 04, 2014

Canada’s largest grain handler, Viterra Inc. announced a $1 million partnership with the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) on Tuesday.

The financial contribution signals further agreements between the two parties, as Cigi begins to gather support for its $12 million new facility.

“Cigi has an excellent international reputation for delivering customized training programs and technical expertise to farmers and end users. Their work has helped to enhance Canada's position as a reliable supplier of safe and high quality grains, oilseeds and pulses," Kyle Jeworski, Viterra's President and CEO for North America said in a release.

Cigi is a not-for-profit grain marketing institute which aims to promote Canadian field crops through industry resources and training. The institute is funded by growers and the federal government.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.