Hog inventory up from year-earlier level

Canada’s hog inventories as of April 1 totalled 11.81 million head — up from 11.65 million during the same time a year ago, but down slightly from 11.895 million during the quarter ending Jan. 1. According to new Statistics Canada data, hog inventories were up in all major hog-producing provinces except Quebec and Alberta, where


Prairie seeding on hold until mid-, late May

Producers in Western Canada continue to wait for favourable weather conditions to dry out fields enough to begin seeding operations, and while a few producers may be able to start some minor field preparations in the next week, the bulk of seeding is unlikely to begin until the middle or end of May. “Producers are

Pork exports to India tied to FTA breakthrough

Canadian producers hope free trade negotiations with India will result in that country allowing imports of Canadian pork products, according to an official with one of the agencies trying to open those doors. “There is definitely demand for Canadian pork in India,” according to Jacques Pomerleau, president of Canada  Pork International. Currently, no Canadian pork


CWB winter rail program nears finish line

The Canadian Wheat Board’s winter rail program is on target to meet export expectations made in the fall, according to a CWB official. The CWB’s winter rail program transports grain from Western Canada and already-stored supplies at Thunder Bay, Ont. to eastern export facilities while the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway are closed for

Late start seen for seeding on Prairies

Producers in Western Canada who hope to get an early start to seeding will be disappointed, given that the weather is not expected to be very co-operative over the next couple of months. “There is definitely going to be a bias to wet and cooler weather conditions over the next couple of weeks across the



Cattle Inventories In Canada Decline: StatsCan

 Canada’s estimated total cattle and calf inventory as of January 1, 2011, continued to decline, dropping 3.4 per cent from the level seen at the same time a year ago, according to figures released by Statistics Canada on Feb. 17, 2011. As of January 1, 2011, Canadian producers had an estimated 12.460 million head of


Delisting Western Barley Futures Not In Cards Just Yet

Although open interest in western barley futures on the ICE Canada trading platform continues to be virtually non-existent, officials with the exchange are hoping the industry will again participate in the contract and prevent the delisting of the commodity. “We are not currently considering delisting the western barley contract at this time,” said Brad Vannan,

StatsCan Canola Data Shows Less Supply, More Demand

Canola futures on the ICE Futures Canada trading platform posted some significant advances during the week ended Feb. 4, with new contract highs established in a number of months. Strong domestic processor demand for canola, along with continued strong export interest, helped to stimulate some of the strength. Adding to the upward price momentum were