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☆ The "ultimate buy-and-hold" investment fund that hasn't changed its strategy since 1935 is crushing 94% of competitors this year. Here are its top 10 holdings — and how it's beating the bear market.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Voya Corporate Leaders Trust Fund is the "ultimate buy and hold," says manager Christina Bargeron. The fund hasn't changed its strategy since 1935 — yet it's still outperforming 94% of competitors. Christina Bargeron may be the client portfolio manager of the Voya Corporate Leaders Trust Fund, but she won't take credit for its outrageous outperformance this year. So far this year, the Voya Corporate Leaders Trust Fund is down just 2%, compared to the average 9% decline among other funds in its category. The widespread Depression-induced distrust of banks also ensured that no financial firms made their way into the Voya Corporate Leaders Trust Fund.

"There are many alternatives to importing non-GMO yellow corn from the United States," Suarez said in an interview on Wednesday. It was the strongest indication yet from Mexico's Agriculture Ministry that the ban will hit yellow corn destined for livestock feed. The 2020 decree by Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador aims to phase out GM corn and the herbicide glyphosate by 2024. Yellow corn imports had become more expensive than domestic production, another incentive for farmers to make the switch, Suarez said. The government was working to make agreements with local corn growers to specifically increase yellow corn production to 6 million tonnes, he added.

☆ New York's top cannabis regulator says most of the state's pot shops won't open until next year — but illegal sellers are already filling the gap
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Jeremy Berke | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

New York state will have at least one legal cannabis shop open in 2022, but the bulk of stores won't open until at least the middle of 2023, the state's top cannabis regulator said. Wright added that most legal shops probably wouldn't open until 2023 — about two years after the state legalized cannabis. AP Photo/Steven SenneBoth Krueger and Peoples-Stokes laid some blame for New York's cannabis stumbles at the feet of former Gov. Over half of cannabis sales in California are estimated to stem from the illegal market, though the state opened cannabis shops in 2018. New York's testing requirements pose a challengeNew York's legal cannabis market could face other hurdles.

A farmer spreads nitrogen fertilizer in his wheat field in Blecourt, France, May 27, 2021. Russia, under financial sanctions, is a major producer of fertilizer and natural gas, key in making nitrogen products to boost yields of corn and other crops. Since Russia's February invasion of Ukraine, Europe started weaning itself off Russian natural gas and a pipeline transporting ammonia from Russia to a Ukraine port shut down. European countries typically buy most of their imported urea, a form of nitrogen fertilizer, from North Africa, but are now purchasing it further afield, Wallace said. EU nitrogen prices eased in mid-October as some European plants resumed production due to softening natural gas prices, he said.

☆ Paddle your own pumpkin: racers descend on Belgian pond
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Charlotte Campenhout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Contestants compete during the Pumpkin Regatta, an annual pumpkin boat relay race, in the Belgian town of Kasterlee, Belgium October 23, 2022. REUTERS/Bart BiesemansKASTERLEE, Belgium, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Hundreds of competitors, many dressed up as pirates, nuns, animals or vegetables, climbed into carved-out pumpkins and paddled them around a pond in northern Belgium, in an annual relay race. Racing the huge vegetables takes some skill - "when you paddle, it doesn't move forward but starts spinning", local competitor Jonas Verbruggen said - and this year some fell in the water after their pumpkins took too much water. Racer Oscar Guell, a Spaniard living in Brussels, called the experience "dirty, sticky and oily" - before gleefully adding that he'd definitely be back next year. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; editing by John StonestreetOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Get ready to see orange juice prices spike at the grocery store thanks to Hurricane Ian
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Orange juice prices are projected to spike due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Florida is a major producer of citrus, but the USDA estimates a 32% decrease in production this upcoming season. Florida growers have been adapting to challenges for decades caused by natural disasters and invasive insects. Central Florida, home to sprawling citrus groves responsible for the vast production of fresh oranges and orange juice across the country, took a hit when Hurricane Ian recently ravaged the state. And although prices are climbing and citrus might be in short supply, the demand for vitamin C is still there.

☆ U.S. nears record poultry deaths from bird flu; virus type complicates fight
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Tom Polansek | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

This has spurred export bans, lowered egg and turkey production, and contributed to record prices of the staples ahead of the U.S. holiday season. Europe is already suffering its worst avian flu crisis, with nearly 50 million poultry culled. The United States is monitoring wild birds for avian flu in four migration paths known as flyways, up from two previously, and plans to do the same next year. "This virus could be present in wild birds for the foreseeable future," Sifford said. Minnesota-based Hormel Foods Corp (HRL.N), owner of the Jennie-O Turkey Store brand, said it expects avian flu to reduce its turkey production at least through March 2023.

☆ New York Apple Growers Fume Over Overtime Rules
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Jimmy Vielkind | Photographs Landon Speers For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

KINDERHOOK, N.Y.—Golden Harvest Farms has grown from a small apple-growing operation when Doug Grout’s grandfather opened it after World War II, to a multipronged business that includes a retail stand, cider press, distillery, tasting room and barbecue restaurant. But Mr. Grout said he sees a cloudier future for the business due to new state regulations that will require him to increasingly pay more overtime to the farmworkers who pick his apples in the coming years, raising one of his primary costs.

☆ Mexican growers hope for bumper marigold sales for Day of the Dead
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 17 (Reuters) - Mexican flower growers are preparing for bumper sales of marigolds for the upcoming Day of the Dead celebrations, helped by the return of public events after the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many other industries, marigold growers have been hit hard by higher costs - including a jump in the price of fertilizer. But a return to public celebrations after two years of pandemic restrictions is expected to offer a boost to sales. In Mexico, the marigolds are placed alongside candy skulls, chocolate coffins, paper-mache skeletons and photographs of the deceased at the altars. Cakes, tequila and cigarettes are also offered up to entice a dead relative to return.

☆ Legal Grass Isn’t Always Greener for Cannabis Companies
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Carol Ryan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Canada’s legal cannabis industry turns four on Monday. Earlier this month, President Biden said he will pardon federal cannabis offenses and order a review of how the drug is classified. This isn’t likely to lead directly to the end of federal marijuana prohibition, but might set the country on the road to further reforms that could benefit U.S. pot growers, who operate in a weird legal limbo. Today, they aren’t allowed to make deductions for normal business expenses so effective tax rates can be as high as 70%. They are also largely barred from accessing many financial services, something that a bill called the SAFE Banking Act proposes to fix.

☆ After Biden’s announcement on cannabis and racial equity, what's next?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Beau Kilmer | Beau Kilmer Is The Mccauley Chair In Drug Policy Innovation | Co-Director Of The Drug Policy Research Center At The Nonprofit | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

President Joe Biden’s announcement about cannabis policy reform last week underscored how keeping it illegal disproportionately harms people of color. Biden’s move is an important step in changing the federal approach to cannabis. Some jurisdictions are considering how cannabis tax revenues could be used to address racial disparities. For example, Evanston, Illinois., is using some of its cannabis tax revenues to support slavery reparations. Cannabis legalization isn’t just a yes-or-no choice.

☆ On New Zealand farm, scientists reduce cow burps to save the world
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

New Zealand has pledged to cut biogenic methane emissions by 10% on 2017 levels by 2030 and by up to 47% by 2050. Royal DSM's (DSMN.AS) Bovaer feed additive can reduce methane emissions by 30% in dairy cows and by more in beef cattle. Agricultural emissions account for around half of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. While pricing farm emissions is not universally popular, many believe it is the push farmers need to reduce them. For Fonterra, research also remains key as it aims to cap farm emissions at 2015 levels.

☆ Expect to shell out more for a Christmas tree this year
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-03 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN Business —In the spirit of holiday cheer, here’s the good news first: Christmas tree farms say this year’s harvest looks good and they don’t expect shortages. The industry group Real Christmas Tree Board in August surveyed 55 wholesale growers of Christmas trees who account for about two-thirds of the nationwide supply. US Christmas tree farms say they don't expect shortages of real trees this holiday season but shoppers should prepare to spend more for them this year. Courtesy Real Christmas Tree BoardAt the store level, larger retail chains might be able to absorb some of the price increase, but they will likely need to pass some of those costs on to shoppers. They told us that they do expect to pay more for trees because of overall inflation but that they’re still going to buy their tree,” said Marsha Gray, executive director of the Real Christmas Tree Board.

☆ U.S. plans rule to protect livestock farmers from company retaliation
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Tom Polansek | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It would also seek to protect farmers who may be at a higher risk for mistreatment because of their race, gender, sexuality or religion, the agency said. The rule would revise regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act, a century-old law meant to protect farmers from unfair market practices. In May, the USDA proposed another rule that would require poultry companies to be more transparent with contract chicken growers. The rules aim to improve on previous USDA efforts to protect farmers. Separately, executives who worked for Pilgrim's Pride (PPC.O) and another poultry producer were found not guilty of fixing prices in the poultry sector this year.

☆ Jefferies says investors must use income strategies, like buying these high-quality dividend stocks
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Jefferies thinks investors need to look for income in this volatile market environment, noting that one of the best ways to do that is through high-quality dividend stocks. Jefferies data show that high-quality yield stocks have outperformed in downturn and slowdown phases. "Focusing on high-quality yield stocks has been highly rewarded over the long term," Peramunetilleke wrote in a note Thursday. The stock, up more than 16% so far this year, has a 12-month forward dividend yield north of 7%. Coca-Cola was also named a top dividend stock by Morgan Stanley, while CNBC's Jim Cramer said it was one of his 10 favorite " dividend aristocrats ."

Endive farmers Emmanuel Lefebvre and Christophe Mazingarbe walk in a field of endive plants in Bouvines, France, September 15, 2022. Across northern and western Europe, vegetable producers are contemplating halting their activities because of the financial hit from Europe's energy crisis, further threatening food supplies. Surging gas prices are the biggest cost vegetable farmers cultivating inside greenhouses face, farmers said. HEADING SOUTHFarmers are not just contending with spiralling energy prices. read moreEven in sun-flushed countries like Spain, fruit and vegetable farmers are grappling with a 25% increase in fertiliser costs.

☆ As war, drought hit global crops, Argentina gambles on GM wheat
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Maximilian Heath | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

It was the first GM wheat strain in the world to receive such approval. No other global seed company has publicly endeavored to develop GM wheat since 2004, when giant seed maker Monsanto, now owned by Bayer AG, dropped plans to develop GM wheat that could withstand its weed killer Roundup. In 2020 he had threatened to halt wheat imports from Argentina after its government approved Bioceres' GM wheat. A new landmark is the recent approval in Nigeria, the only country to fully approve imports of HB4 wheat grains. Trucco said Russia's invasion of Ukraine and severe droughts in Europe and China had shifted the needle on drought-tolerant GM wheat.

☆ Rail Shippers Brace for Potential National Strike
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-14 | by ( Paul Berger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Companies from food suppliers in the Midwest to retail importers across the U.S. are bracing for a potential national rail strike by seeking alternative transport to keep their supply chains running. Tens of thousands of American workers are on strike and thousands more are attempting to unionize. “We believe the potential for a rail work stoppage is growing,” Citi’s Christian Wetherbee wrote in a research note Wednesday. Other shippers will have to hold on to cargo if the rail network shuts down. U.S. railroads hauled more than 18,000 carloads of grains over the past week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

MOJAVE DESERT, Calif. — As more states legalize cannabis, law enforcement officials say they are seeing an uptick in black market operators using suspected human trafficking victims to grow and trim marijuana sold in legal dispensaries. The cannabis workers, all Chinese nationals who had traveled from New York, attempted to flee as law enforcement officials executed a search warrant on the secluded farm. Fang, Jin and the other workers were charged with misdemeanors and later released, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. James Roy of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. A black market marijuana farm.

☆ The ultimate guide to cannabis legalization in New York: The key dates to know, and which stocks could benefit the most.
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-19 | by ( Yeji Jesse Lee | Jeremy Berke | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In the Empire State, recreational marijuana sales could balloon to $7 billion once the market is fully established. The state's limited medical cannabis program has also seen expansion under the new adult-use bill. The list of qualifying medical conditions for medical cannabis was expanded, along with product options. The exceptions to this may be existing medical operators wishing to transition to adult-use and microbusinesses. Analysts say this makes sense as the industry matures and cannabis companies begin to think of themselves as consumer product companies.

☆ The Coming California Megastorm
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-12 | by ( Raymond Zhong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

For their new study, which was published in the journal Science Advances, Dr. Huang and Dr. Swain replayed portions of the 20th and 21st centuries using 40 simulations of the global climate. There are “so many different factors” that make an atmospheric river deadly or benign, Dr. Huang said. Wes Monier, a hydrologist, with a 1997 photo of water rushing through the New Don Pedro Reservoir spillway. Mr. Monier is chief hydrologist for the Turlock Irrigation District, which operates the New Don Pedro Reservoir near Modesto. The Tuolumne River, where the Don Pedro sits, was coming out of its driest four years in a millennium.

☆ The night the Lord of the Skies got away
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-22 | by ( Noah Hurowitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +38 min

It was May 1985, and Ramirez had only been with the Border Patrol for two and a half years. But he also knew that at the end of that road, just before the international port of entry, was a Border Patrol station. The Lord of the SkiesWithin a decade of that traffic stop, Amado would be the most significant drug trafficker in Mexico. It's the border," Ford told me recently when I reached him by phone. Ford and Amado didn't make a deal that night, but Ford said they agreed to "something tentative."

☆ The story of Cookies: How a former Wendy's employee turned a popular weed strain with a controversial name into a $1 billion empire
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-08 | by ( Ben Gilbert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

America's first $1 billion weed brand is here, and it's named Cookies. It's a company that he says is now worth at least $1 billion — the world's first legal $1 billion weed brand. From a logo on a hoodie to a billion-dollar companyThe inside of the Santa Ana, California, Cookies marijuana dispensary. He described this time period, between 2010 and 2018, when the first Cookies retail store opened, as a lengthy learning experience. Though he's repeatedly been offered millions of dollars for his majority stake in Cookies, Berner has thus far refused to sell.

☆ The first legal marijuana farmers in New York are growing for opening season, but still don't know where they're going to sell it
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-25 | by ( Ben Gilbert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Legal sales of recreational marijuana are set to begin in New York City in late 2022. With just months to go, marijuana farmers still don't know how they're going to sell their crops. "Right now, that is one of the largest uncertainties," Hudson Hemp CEO Melany Dobson told Insider during a recent visit to the newly-converted marijuana farm in Hudson, New York. That retail licensing process, she said during a board meeting on May 19, is scheduled to begin sometime "this summer." The OCM is expected to offer an update on retail licensing in the coming weeks.

☆ I visited a newly licensed marijuana farm in New York, and was shocked by how far there is to go before legal sales begin
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-21 | by ( Ben Gilbert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Legal sales of recreational marijuana are set to begin in New York City in late 2022. I visited one of the first licensed farms in upstate New York and saw how far there still is to go. Sometime later this year — no one seems to know exactly when — New York City will legally allow recreational marijuana to be sold, opening what's expected to be one of the most lucrative legal cannabis markets in the world. And right now, in preparation for the feeding frenzy, dozens of farmers are growing the marijuana that will become New York's first legal crop. Last Friday, I visited one such farm two hours north of New York City in rural, idyllic Hudson, New York — and saw just how far there is to go before sales open.

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