Last week’s USDA report managed to bring one notable surprise to light. Soybean yields were actually much higher than anticipated. While that may have been a welcome surprise to farmers and is overall a good news story, there will be a bit of an adjustment period while a market, that doesn’t really like surprises, adjusts… Read More
13.4 million tonnes of canola is, historically, a big canola crop. For 2012, however, it’s a total tonnage figure that disappointed many Western Canadian farmers. As we reported earlier this year, the swaths looked like a 35 bushel crop but yielded closer to 20. Many were shocked by the significantly lower Statistics Canada production number… Read More
Earlier this year the CWB (as it was still named) rolled out handling agreement announcements at Canada’s Farm Progress Show at Regina, Sask. During and after the press conference, more than a few weighed in on what percentage of the grain handle the monopoly-less board could possibly attract. Some estimated as much as 30% to… Read More
According to Dow Jones Newswires, CME Group has agreed to buy the Kansas City Board of Trade for US$126 million. CME already owns the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). By purchasing Kansas City, CME would then offer wheat contracts for both soft and hard wheats, along with several other agriculture commodity contracts. While it’s not… Read More
The 2012 fall feeder run seems to be moving at a very slow pace. Last weeks Canfax Cattle on Feed report would definitely confirm that. All things considered, the slow feeder run may be a blessing in disguise as many of the cattle liners are busy shipping cattle south due to the XL Foods closure… Read More
With less cattle slaughter capacity in Canada, many ranchers and feedyards are concerned about the possibility for the feeder cattle and live basis to significantly widen. A basis that gets too wide makes the current Canadian model unworkable. Currently the live cattle basis sites at 16-18 which is the same as last year at this… Read More
It’s no surprise that the fertilizer markets have cooled off this fall, but those farmers shopping for a deal may not want to wait too long to pre-buy. Record prices for corn and soy will definitely pressure prices in to the new growing season, and international buyers are out shopping. Remi Schmaltz, general manager of… Read More
Did your wheat crop make you smile this year? Good yields and high protein in the face of strong commodity prices is the coveted winning trifecta of the wheat world. Unfortunately, Canadian wheat growers are not the only ones with bins full of high protein, quality wheat. The traditional high protein spreads only happen when… Read More
The market seemed surprised by the Statistics Canada report released this morning. Farmers did not. StatsCan slashed a million tonnes from its earlier estimate and has pegged production at 13.2 million tonnes. Initial reaction from farmers was, Yes, we could’ve have told you that, but some market analysts are concerned the number is perhaps a… Read More
FNA is looking for farmer commitment and seed money for a new western Canadian fertilizer plant it has dubbed “ProjectN.” The organization is not looking to be an owner of this plant; FNA is acting only as facilitator to round up interest and fund the FNA Fertilizer Limited Partnership. “It needs to be clear that… Read More
The recent meat recall at XL Foods is just another issue to provide adversity to the Canadian cattle industry. With one of two Western Canadian packers being forced to deal with a meat recall the lift lines have pushed an already wide basis wider. Additionally, the topic of a struggling pork industry has left… Read More
It was strong demand for oilseed that resulted in a record number of acres of canola being planted in Western Canada this spring. Unfortunately, that record number of acres didn’t translate into a record crop. Weather, disease and other factors gave the Western Canadian canola crop a solid beating this year. The result, as Moe… Read More
If supply and demand is a big part of how ag commodities are priced, it’s understandable why there is some head scratching surrounding the high price of wheat. From the outside it would appear as though there is a lot of wheat around, but as Moe Agostino of Farms.com Risk Management explains it’s not necessarily… Read More
As the soybean harvest kicks off in Ontario, farmers are enjoying high prices, but the question is always, for how long? We caught up with Farms.com’s Moe Agostino at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show last week hot on the heels of the USDA report. His call? We’re at the top of the soybean market, and next… Read More
As important as the domestic beef market is, the success of Canada’s beef industry depends on exports. That means a continued focus on growing current export markets and looking elsewhere for new opportunities to market our beef. It’s those relationships that will be responsible for growing the industry. SEE MORE ILC 2012 COVERAGE. Robert Meijer… Read More
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