Canola basis levels to fluctuate

Canola basis levels in Western Canada have been fairly unattractive and stable of late, but one analyst believes there could be a narrowing within the next month or so. Mike Jubinville, president of Pro Farmer Canada in Winnipeg, said it looks as though basis levels could begin to narrow once the calendar hits mid-June and




Too early to write off Manitoba corn acres

High prices have persuaded Manitoba producers to plant more acres to corn this year, according to the latest Statistics Canada report, but wet conditions and flooding may restrict how much in fact goes into the ground. In its April 26 planting intentions report, StatsCan announced Manitoba producers intended to plant 190,000 acres to corn in


Canola crush margins edge lower

After rallying early in 2011, canola crush margins have declined as the Canadian dollar has soared past the US$1.05 level during the first third of the calendar year. Ken Ball, a broker with Union Securities in Winnipeg, said the strength of Canada’s currency has a significant impact on canola crush margins. “Every cent off the

Manitoba sunflower acreage to plummet

With many producers planning on seeding large amounts of canola and wheat this spring amid historically high prices, the crop that appears to be taking the largest hit in Manitoba because of this is sunflowers. In the 2011 planted area intention report from Statistics Canada released Tuesday, the government agency said only 65,000 acres are





Acreage increases expected in many crops

Canadian farmers are looking at the 2011 growing season as an opportunity to take advantage of historically high prices, and as a result, acreage on many crops should see an increase from 2010, according to trade estimates ahead of the Statistics Canada planting intentions report due out Tuesday (April 26). Ron Frost of Frost Consulting

Strong Bison Prices Attractive To New Producers

Canada’s bison herd could be on the verge of a rebound as higher prices attract new entrants, the president of the Canadian Bison Association says. Mark Silzer said the surging prices have given producers looking to exit the business the perfect chance, and as a result, volumes are likely to be lower in this May’s