Despite a bit of a sell-off on Friday, January 3rd, grain markets are starting 2020 strong, as trade deals buzz and strong export activity are fueling higher prices in a shortened trading week. Also weighing on the markets is the boatload of data that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is going to release… Read More
Grain markets finished the week before Christmas mostly all in the green as follow-on technical buying and physical buying pushed the complex higher. Meanwhile there is still some uncertainty about how the trade deals are going to be executed, namely the $50 billion in agriculture purchases that President Trump has said China would buy. This… Read More
There are many variables that greatly impact the profitability of the family farm. Some of those variables include different risks and often largely depends on where your farm is located in the world. Ask yourself this question — Do you like where you farm? For the majority of farms in Canada and the U.S., you… Read More
Grain markets ended the second week of December all in the green as news of the U.S. and China finally agreeing to terms of a phase one deal to stall the ongoing trade war. Also supporting prices was the market tracking higher soybean and corn prices in South America, as well as digesting limited changes… Read More
If you think you may experiencing déjà vu on the U.S. and China Phase One deal, completed in principle, then you are not alone. Whether last May, September, October or today — any deal with China has been elusive. On CNBC Friday afternoon, national economic advisor Larry Kudlow was asked if Americans can believe the… Read More
Ontario has introduced its draft legislation to increase security on farms — the Security From Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2019. The focus, certainly, is on the biosecurity and food risk associated with non-authorized people traipsing through farms and interfering with animals on their way to slaughter. The act, likely to be passed in… Read More
After two years of negotiating, debate, and threats of destruction, the renegotiated NAFTA deal has a clear path to a congressional ratification with the Democrats and the U.S. President agreeing to the required changes. For agriculture, the USMCA — new NAFTA or CUSMA, whatever you want to call it — has always been about stability,… Read More
For decades now we have frequently heard phrases like, “We need to speak as one,” or “We are better together than fighting among ourselves,” when it comes to agriculture policy in this country. While the phrases have been uttered, there never seemed to be any real action. Now, don’t get me wrong, a historical lack… Read More
The future of how breeding is funded in Canada is under review and headed for change. The “value creation” consultations created much engagement and debate last winter, where producers were asked to weigh in on an end-point or trailing royalties on new varieties. While some people have attempted to halt the process, others have tried… Read More
Grain markets ended the month of November strongly as a shortened trading day on Friday, November 29th (due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday) saw significant technical selling, which pushed prices up. Corn gained eight cents while Chicago SRW wheat futures jumped 15 cents on Friday alone — helping the complex end the month on an… Read More
When Chrystia Freeland, then International Trade minister, was thrust into the NAFTA renegotiation with the Trump administration, she probably thought that would be the greatest challenge of her political career. Little did she know that there was a greater challenge awaiting her back home in Canada just a few years later — that challenge is… Read More
Grain markets were mixed for the 3rd week of November, but winter wheat prices finally had a green week of performance thanks to strong export activity and concerns of how the 2020 crop is starting out. Supporting the cash markets has been the slow state of Harvest 2019 and farmers being less inclined to sell,… Read More
The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef held its general assembly at Christchurch, New Zealand, last week. As chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Anne Wasko was there and shares her insight and experience below: As the current chair of Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB), I was pleased to represent CRSB at the… Read More
Grain markets ended a shortened-trading week mostly in the red as the complex pulled back on concerns over a trade war deal getting done and ongoing weak demand fundamentals. While many analysts are saying that corn and soybeans are oversold and nearing technical support levels, the only thing that seems to be strengthening is basis… Read More
Canadian farmers have been caught in the crossfire of the strained U.S./China/Canada trade relations. Several crops, such as wheat and peas, have avoided being impacted negatively, while canola, pork, and beef exports have been targeted by the Chinese. Farmers have lashed out at the federal government for not forcing change, talking tougher, or being vocal… Read More