File photo of a small greenhouse operation in Quebec. (ManonAllard/E+/Getty Images)

Increased federal support for TFWs welcomed

Ottawa — The Canadian Horticultural Council says Monday’s federal announcement offering $50 million to help cover the extra costs associated with importing foreign workers this year is welcomed support. “We are finding that there are a lot of increased costs this year with COVID-19 and bringing in the employees, so having the extra money will

CBOT May 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans fall further on coronavirus demand risks

Wheat slides as U.S. crop ratings hold steady

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures slid lower on Tuesday as fears of demand destruction for livestock feed due the closure of several U.S. meat packing plants hung over the market. Corn also inched lower, hovering near a 3-1/2-year low as it tracked crude oil markets. More than a third of the U.S. crop


Cigi staff evaluate wheat flour for use in oriental noodles. (Cigi photo)

Cigi, Cereals Canada vote to close merger deal

Merged body to take latter group's name; next step, naming a CEO

The proposed merger between Cigi and Cereals Canada has taken one of its final steps forward, with votes of approval from both organizations’ memberships. The two Winnipeg-based not-for-profit organizations announced Tuesday their memberships have approved “the amalgamation of both organizations under a unified governance and management structure.” Terms of the merger call for the consolidated

(File photo by Greg Berg)

U.S. grains: Soybeans drop as livestock markets drag soymeal lower

Wheat eases on global supply; corn unfazed by crude oil deal

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures fell more than one per cent on Monday in the market’s steepest drop in 1-1/2 weeks, as livestock processing plant closures that impact feed supply weighed on soymeal prices. Corn also sagged despite optimistic news that OPEC might curb oil production, after a deal was signed over the


(CBSA via YouTube)

Federal government to backstop TFW isolation with funding

Employers backed to provide mandatory two-week isolation

Farming and agrifood employers bringing temporary foreign workers (TFWs) to Canada will get per-worker support to make sure those employees can self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Monday announced up to $50 million for such employers to put such measures in place. As part of its response to the COVID-19

File photo of a quality control check on fresh peppers in a Canadian vegetable packing plant. (Jeffbergen/E+Getty Images)

Alberta, Ontario open online portals for domestic ag work

Canadian senators call for support for domestic ag workers

The Alberta and Ontario governments hope to set up “land armies” of available domestic workers to deploy on their provinces’ farms, in the event that seasonal and temporary foreign workers are unavailable. Both provinces this week announced they have set up online portals where residents can connect with farmers in need of workers. Such jobs


CBOT May 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans, wheat climb on currency

Corn rises and falls with oil

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean and wheat futures on Thursday posted their biggest gains in two weeks, as a falling U.S. dollar made exports more attractive against South American and Black Sea grain producers. Corn futures climbed early on strong U.S. export sales and an early jump in crude oil prices, but settled only



Fresh snowfall in Winnipeg’s Fort Rouge area on April 8, 2020. (GFM Staff)

Cold spring weather expected for Prairies

MarketsFarm — Temperatures in the Prairie provinces are expected to be colder than average this spring. “There’s no indication that temperatures will be above normal,” said Bruce Burnett, director of markets and weather for MarketsFarm in Winnipeg. Low temperatures will likely cause issues for seeding in areas of the Prairies that have received late-spring snowstorms.

(Dave Bedard photo)

Pandemic to delay StatsCan’s agriculture reports

MarketsFarm — Farmers, commodity traders and market analysts will have to wait a while for agriculture-related reports from Statistics Canada in 2020. The main reason for the delay is the COVID-19 pandemic, said John Seay, an analyst with StatsCan’s agriculture, energy, environment and transportation statistics branch in Ottawa. “Given the COVID-19 outbreak, senior management is