Grain markets all struck green this week as some production concerns, combined with decent export activity helped spur the complex higher. With the crop year changing over to 2020/21 on Tuesday, September 1, corn and soybeans futures led the charge as yield potential is being challenged more and more (thanks Mother Nature!) Put another way,… Read More
It was an idea with the best of intentions — to bring the five major Canadian seed-related member organizations together under the banner of Seeds Canada. The idea was to address government and stakeholders with one voice, lower delivery costs for programming, and ensure farmers have access to the world-class genetics they deserve and expect…. Read More
As I’ve sat on-and-off on the combine on my family farm, it’s had me thinking more about how we conduct ourselves when it comes to our harvest operations, and who does what — especially in operations that have employees. Everyone wants to be a part of harvest. It’s the most stressful time of the year,… Read More
Grain markets were able to rebound in the 3rd week of August as crop tour results and some technical buying help moved the complex higher. While we’ll dig into the ProFarmer crop tour results in a bit, corn and soybean prices weakened towards the end of the week on both farmer and technical selling, as… Read More
This week there was a small but significant cabinet shuffle that will prove very impactful on how Canada steers through the remaining COVID-19 economic challenges. Chrystia Freeland was sworn in as finance minister after the resignation of Bill Morneau. With such a big change at the most senior levels of the cabinet, it may create… Read More
I know I’m not alone when I say the recent decision by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) surprised me. I’m also likely not alone when I say the decision made me incredibly angry. And angry for a few reasons, I might add. Angry, because I assumed (wrongly) that my name… Read More
Everywhere you turn in the past five months, people have been having conversations about how life is different during the pandemic, but dare I say, it hasn’t changed a whole lot, when it comes to many farmers’ schedules. For now. With some notable exceptions for those with school-aged children, hogs or cattle that can’t be… Read More
Grain markets ended the second week of trading in August mostly in the green, despite a bearish WASDE report from the USDA that suggested record national average yields for both corn and soybeans. Arguably, these yields have been priced in though, and the complex rallied on a devasting “derecho” windstorm in Iowa and some solid… Read More
Hi, my name is Kara, and my go-to conversation topic, if it’s not agriculture, is music. I live and breathe music. I believe it’s something that can bring people together in ways that other things simply can’t. Recently, I took to Twitter asking our readers and listeners to send me their favourite tunes as many… Read More
Grain markets took a nosedive in their first week of trading in August, as yield forecasts get updated, weather pressures subside, and traders prepare for next Wednesday’s WASDE report. Put simply, the closer we get to combines rolling, the more of the supply number gets baked into the current prices. Reality is, that new JD… Read More
Grain markets ended the month of July in the red, albeit, from a monthly performance standpoint, it wasn’t all bad news bears. Chicago wheat prices gained nearly 40 cents, or 8%, while canola and soybean prices both improved by about 2.5%. However, while corn prices lost about a quarter, or 7.5%, in the month of… Read More
Grain markets were able to squeak out some gains this week, but corn prices were the obvious worst performer as the size of the impending harvest becomes better known. Wheat prices were able to earn a few pennies, thanks to hot weather concerns in North America and Argentina, while soybeans were supported by Chinese buying… Read More
This post first appeared on Dr. Frank Mitloehner’s blog and is re-posted with permission. Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, hold the methane? A new communication campaign from Burger King is promising beef that comes from cows that are 33 percent less gassy on average, allowing the international fast-food chain’s consumers to have it their way without… Read More
After a two-week hiatus, I’m back with the weekly recap and this week, grain markets ended things mixed. Wheat prices were weighing weather and production downgrades, while corn and soybean prices remain concerned about demand, albeit these two did climb on Friday. For these 2 crops, China is certainly buying but it doesn’t seem like… Read More
By now you’ve heard of the Prime Minister’s latest scandal, this time over his family’s involvement and government support of the WE Charity. It’s the third ethics probe/scandal that this prime minister has been involved in — and this latest gaffe makes me think about kid’s sports. Have your kids played a sport where it… Read More