Just read this morning that BHP Billiton (world's # 1 mining company, from Australia) has made a US$38B hostile takeover offer for Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan.  That's a 16% premium on Monday's closing price.  Many analysts say that we're about to see major consolidation in the fertilizer industry because of higher demand, and that a key player in this consolidation will be the mining industry.  Seems to me consolidation won't necessarily be good for farmers, since the marker will end up being controlled by fewer, larger players.  Opinions on this?

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