CNS Canada — Canadian pork prices are feeling a modest bump upward as healthy U.S. exports clean up some excess North American pork supplies. Canadian slaughter-weight prices hit their lows in November and December — and since then, they have increased about 30 per cent, according to Brad Marceniuk, a livestock economist for Saskatchewan’s agriculture
Pork market looks to improve by spring
ICE weekly outlook: Canola watching currency, soybeans
CNS Canada — ICE Futures Canada canola contracts posted small gains during a choppy trading week ended Wednesday. Values were under pressure from the start due to a sharp break below major chart support on Feb. 9. Expectations of a large soybean crop from South America along with the ever-strengthening Canadian dollar put pressure on
Timing of La Nina to play key role in Prairie moisture
CNS Canada –– As the El Nino weather phenomena slowly loosens its grip across Western Canada, many weather watchers say its impact has been somewhat underwhelming. However, one meteorologist said its lingering presence, coupled with the pending arrival of the La Nina weather event, may still play a large role in determining how much moisture
Fertilizer expected to be pricier by springtime
CNS Canada –– Relatively cheap natural gas has helped push down fertilizer prices for Canadian farmers over the past winter, but that should change by springtime. One Manitoba farm leader noted urea fertilizer that went for $545 per tonne last August could now be acquired for $445 per tonne. “Phosphate fertilizer was going for $721
StatsCan stocks numbers confirm rapid export pace
CNS Canada — Canada’s grain and oilseed exports appear to be in fine form, based on the latest stocks figures on Thursday morning from Statistics Canada. Stocks of wheat, canola and oats are all down compared to last year’s. In wheat’s case, there were roughly five million fewer tonnes in farmers’ bins at the end
Potential for fewer flax acres seen this year
CNS Canada — While area seeded to flax in Canada has been increasing over the past four years, that upward momentum may halt in 2016-17. Flax’s cost of production is higher than many of its rivals and the growing lustre of pulse crops could cut into some acres, according to one industry watcher. “It’s too
CP cuts raise worry over potential slowdown
CNS Canada –– Canadian Pacific Railway’s decision to cut 1,000 jobs has caught the attention of two Prairie farm leaders. Norm Hall, president of Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, worries the move is short-sighted and may catch up with the railway in months and years to come, when commodity prices catch fire again. “You dump
Lower loonie helps farmers, but only so much
CNS Canada — The slumping price of oil continues to weigh on the Canadian dollar, while at the same time providing a boost to Canadian grain prices. Out-of-country buyers tend to more attracted to Canadian grain and wheat when the loonie is low, as they can get more product for their money. However, one market
CBOT weekly outlook: Corn stays within range
CNS Canada –– Chicago Board of Trade corn futures stayed mostly range-bound for the week ended Wednesday; the corn market ebbed and flowed with crude oil and ideas of demand. However, it also felt technical pressure, according to Sean Lusk, a co-director at the commercial hedging services division of Walsh Trading in Chicago. “Corn keeps
ICE weekly outlook: Canola posts gains as loonie plunges
CNS Canada — ICE Futures Canada canola contracts advanced during the week ended Wednesday, on the back of currency action that made the commodity more desirable to international buyers. “This Canadian dollar has really helped out exports to China, Japan, Pakistan and Mexico,” said Wayne Palmer of Agri-Trend Marketing in Winnipeg. The loonie continued to
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