Prairie farm groups concerned about Bunge Viterra merger

Jun 14, 2023

There's some concern about the loss of competition in the grain sector with the proposed merger of two mega rivals in the grain industry.

The announcement of a merger between U.S. based Bunge and Viterra would create a global agribusiness worth about U.S. $34 billion.

Bunge's purchase offer of U.S. $8.2 billion dollars will see Viterra shareholders receive 65.6 million shares of Bunge stock (valued at U.S. $6.2 billion) and U.S. $2 billion in cash.

For Viterra shareholders Glencore, CPP Investments, and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation that will mean a mix of approximately 75% Bunge stock and 25% cash.

In addition, Bunge will acquire $9.8 billion of Viterra debt and has plans to repurchase in time US$2 billion of its own stock.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.