Agriculture

CALGARY — A wetter-than-expected spring has Western Canadian farmers breathing a sigh of relief, but drought remains a significant worry.

WINNIPEG — Shares of Ag Growth International Inc. closed up more than 11 per cent Wednesday after the company said it had rejected an unsolicited takeover offer. AGI shares closed up $5.13, or 11.15 per cent, to $51.

MONTREAL — Jonathan Fortin woke up Friday morning to check on his herd of Black Angus cattle, only to find his field was empty.

CHARLOTTETOWN — Federal scientists in Atlantic Canada are trying to develop a new breed of potato that is better adapted to growing conditions brought on by climate change.

From new plant-leaning hospital menus tofewer surgical gloves and single-use syringes, health-care professionals are finding ways to combat waste and pollutants. Dr.

Improved mine automation helped fertilizer giant Nutrien Ltd. increase potash production in the first quarter amid strong demand for its products, the company’s chief executive said.

VANCOUVER — The British Columbia Supreme Court has rejected lawsuits by mink farmers challenging a provincial shutdown of the industry over COVID-19 concerns.

SASKATOON — Nutrien Ltd. says it earned US$165 million in its first quarter, down 71 per cent from US$576 million a year earlier. The Saskatoon-based company says its sales totalled US$5.4 billion, down 12 per cent from US$6.

OTTAWA — The Canadian government is expanding its surveillance program for a form of avian flu amid a growing outbreak in U.S. dairy cattle. Fragments of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been detected in pasteurized milk sold in the U.S.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Pork markets are showing signs of improvement, said Maple Leaf Foods Inc. chief executive Curtis Frank, helping the company achieve a profit in its first quarter compared with a year ago even as sales edged lower.