Ag losses likely to top US$1B after Chile rains

Reuters -- Heavy rains in Chile’s central south farming region in mid-August may have caused at least US$1 billion in losses, according to estimates by authorities and the industry. Extreme weather conditions led the government to declare a state of catastrophe last week as dangerous rains pounded isolated communities and killed at least three people.[...]


Rolling the dice on forecasts

A severe weather system rolling across the Prairies triggered an alert on my phone the other day. Television and radio programs also interrupted with warnings to take precautions. The sun was still shining at the time, but the rumble of thunder from the approaching storm could easily be heard. My location caught only the edge[...]

Early frosts in Argentina threaten drought-stricken soy, corn crops

Early frosts could hurt Argentina’s already beleaguered soy and corn crops in the south of the country’s main farming region, the Buenos Aires grains exchange said February 16 in a report. Argentina’s worst drought in six decades has already forced farmers to delay planting this season’s soy and corn crops, lowering expectations for the season’s[...]



CBOT weekly outlook: Weather fuels rallies in grain prices

MarketsFarm -- Weather and less-than-stellar crop conditions were the primary factors that caused week-long rallies on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) for the week ended Wednesday. Ongoing dryness in most areas of the U.S. saw crops begin to deteriorate. The corn crop dropped six points to 55 per cent good to excellent as of[...]



CBOT weekly outlook: Weather, demand affect grain prices

MarketsFarm -- Severe weather in the U.S. as well as macroeconomic factors at home and abroad affected grain prices on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) for the week ended Wednesday. Jack Scoville of Price Futures Group in Chicago said wet and cool weather across the U.S. Plains, Midwest and corn belt, as well as[...]


U.S. grains: Corn, soy slide as Midwest rain outlook improves

Chicago | Reuters -- U.S. new-crop corn and soybean futures fell on Tuesday to their lowest in more than a week, pressured by forecasts for much-needed rains in the Midwest where crops have been deteriorating under dry conditions, analysts said. Wheat futures tumbled more than five per cent as worries subsided about political instability in[...]

U.S. grains: Chicago wheat closes down as global supplies look strong

Mexico City | Reuters -- Chicago grains and soybean futures closed lower to mixed on Wednesday, as traders eyed sluggish demand and upcoming U.S. export sales data. Wheat fell on news of ample short-term global supplies, despite the risk that an agreement allowing exports from war-torn Ukraine may end next month. Canadian farmers intend to[...]