In Canada we do not talk about biofuel production like they do in the United States. I attend many farmer meetings across the country and rarely do I hear talk on the agenda or in the hallways about ethanol or biodiesel production in Canada. In the U.S. ethanol production is a major user of the… Read more »
Category: Energy Markets
Register for GrainWorld – Influencers Driving Innovation
November is always a very interesting time for the markets. Analysts begin to have an idea of the crop volume and quality and farmers and looking to solidify their new crop marketing plans and are already beginning to think about planting intentions for the coming spring. Farmers also have to increasingly pay attention to the… Read more »
U.S. Election Tops Concerns for the Canadian Economy: BMO’s Chief Economist
Anti-trade messages from both U.S. presidential candidates are undoubtedly troubling for the future of the Canadian economy, especially in export-oriented sectors like agriculture. “That to me would be the number one concern when we look over the next six months — what happens in the U.S. election and what happens afterwards,” said Douglas Porter, chief economist… Read more »
Canadian Dollar Expected to Settle Down into “Sideways, Softer Tone”
The Canadian dollar could be settling in for some quieter time after a wild ride over the last year. In May 2015, the loonie traded at over 83 cents US. It then went for a slide, bottoming out in mid-January at around 68 cents before rallying aggressively, touching 80 cents in early May. The dollar has since retreated down to around… Read more »
The Switch — This Week in the Grain Markets
A lot of focus in the market last week was on the wheat market as warm weather from Kiev to Kansas is pushing fall-seeded crops out of dormancy much earlier than usual. After last week’s best weekly gain for wheat since October, investors’ focus will now turn to weather forecasts and the stocks and acreage… Read more »
In Saskatchewan a New Winning Attitude is Creating a Culture of Excellence
The winds of change have blown through Canada. No longer is Alberta on top of the Canadian economic machine. Ontario is no longer the manufacturing super power. The word ‘Conservative’ cannot be found in the name of any governing provincial party and no one is joking about the attitude of Saskatchewan. “Excellence is not a… Read more »
TWORA — Canada’s Economic Tractor & the Farmer’s Side of the Story — Jan 21
We’re talking about everything from the state of the US and Canadian economies to SaskCanola’s effort to share how many farmers view modern ag technology through the “License to Farm” film. After spending most of the week at Ag Days in Brandon, Kelvin Heppner host of this week’s news podcast and is joined by a… Read more »
Agriculture Poised to Play Larger Role With Decline of Oil — Jeff Rubin’s Perspective
Agriculture is poised to play a much larger role in the Canadian economy thanks to impacts of climate change and declining revenues from oil extraction, says well-known author and economist Jeff Rubin. “Climate change has fatal implications for our previous ambitions of becoming an energy superpower, but it’s going to make other assets and resources in… Read more »
This Ain’t 2012 — Weather, Government Targets Push Markets This Week
Grains saw a choppy end to the trading month of May as government reports seemed to sway the market the most. Corn and wheat prices on the futures board saw their values fall as USDA crop progress reports reminded everyone that a lot of corn is already in the ground and that wheat crops in… Read more »
The Markets This Week — Market Share Swings
Grain prices ended the month of February a little mixed as corn, soybean, and canola prices all got support in the last half of the month through harvest and logistical concerns out of South American. Lower oil prices have helped keep gains in check for those crops related to the biofuels industry, although strong domestic… Read more »
With Lower Oil Prices, U.S. Recovery a Bright Spot for Canadian Economy — Glen Hodgson’s Economic Outlook for ’15
Growth in the U.S. economy and the export opportunities that come with it are expected to offset some of the impact of low oil prices on the Canadian economy. The coinciding weaker Canadian dollar won’t hurt exports either, notes the chief economist with the Conference Board of Canada. “This is a good time if you’re… Read more »
Are Wheat Markets Poised for a Rebound? — Market Update With Chuck Penner
Despite the tumble in wheat futures over the last month, there are still reasons for growers to be optimistic about where wheat prices are headed, according to the president of LeftField Commodity Research. Chuck Penner shares his take on what’s happening in the grain markets in this video filmed at FarmTech in Edmonton. “I’m friendliest… Read more »
The Grain Markets this Week — A Return to Risk?
Grain markets ended the month of January well below where they started, despite volatile currencies, weather, and geo-political risk keeping prices off the lows. Managed money continue to drop their net long positions in the agricultural complex recently to its lowest levels since October, mainly thanks to the strength of the U.S. dollar. Investors in… Read more »
Farm Input Costs Should Drop With Low Oil Prices, Eventually
Low oil prices should translate into reduced input prices for farmers, but don’t expect to see major declines in fertilizer prices before the 2015 growing season, according to a lending institution consultant speaking at St. Jean Farm Days in Manitoba this week. “I think in the long run we will see our cost of production… Read more »
The Difference a Year Makes — Grain Markets in Review
2014 started out with a lot of frustration: Grain was hardly moving through Canada as the Great White North experienced some record cold temperatures and record ice cover on the Great Lakes. With the railroads making more money moving oil, elevators couldn’t take deliveries and the amount of ships sitting at the port waiting for… Read more »