Claas partnership continues
LEADING machinery manufacturer Claas will continue its association with Total Lubrifiants, a leading player in the global lubricants market.
The two companies have worked together since October 2005 when Total partnered with Claas to supply a complete range of after-sale lubricants.
This time around the two businesses have signed a five year contract also featuring first fill lubricant products.
Cotton transport win
COTTON Australia has welcomed a move to harmonise road train regulations between NSW and Queensland.
Federal and NSW Government transport regulators have synchronised NSW regulations in line with Queensland in regards to the movement of cotton trucks.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has released an exemption notice which allows the extension of road train trailers so they can legally transport six round cotton modules per trailer.
Viterra purchase
CANADIAN agribusiness Viterra, well known in Australia for its investment in the South Australian supply chain, has purchased more bulk handling capacity in the US.
Viterra has bought a grain handling facility at Grand Forks, in North Dakota from Gavilon for an undisclosed price.
It is part of Viterra’s ongoing expansion program in the US.
The facility has a storage capacity of 140,000 tonnes.
CBH breaks record
CBH broke the West Australian state shipping record for the month of April with 1.6 million tonnes of grain shipped.
It followed the largest ever amount of grain being shipped over a one month period when January’s shipping volumes broke through 1.8 million tonnes.
In addition, there were record rail movements across the state in March to help achieve the largest amount of grain ever transported via rail during a one month period, with 964,832 tonnes executed for the month.
Canola research wins award
Research into canola processing and the effect on bioactive components in the oil has earned a Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD student international recognition.
Clare Flakelar was presented with a student excellence award at the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) conference in Florida in the United States.
Her research is examining how canola oil processing affects the concentration of bioactive compounds.
“Many bioactive components in canola oil are linked to beneficial health effects,” Ms Flakelar said.
“For example commercial canola seed contains lutein, a bioactive compound with the potential to prevent macular degeneration.
“But these components, particularly carotenoids, tocopherols and sterols, are reduced or eliminated entirely during current commercial oil production.
“My research involves assessing the behaviour and influence of certain factors on these bioactive components, primarily the effects of genotype, the storage of seed and oil, and the processing from seed to oil.
US Appointment
THE NEW US trade representative has won approval from key grain producing grower bodies in the United States.
US Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) issued releases in support of Robert Lighthizer, who will take on the role.
NAWG president David Schemm said his organisation would be pushing for agricultural recognition in key trade talks such as the
re-negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement and trade negotiations with Asia-Pacific nations.