While cleaning out the eavestroughs the other day, I unwittingly disturbed a hidden wasp nest, resulting in at least half a dozen stings on my hands and face. The pain eventually subsided but dealing with the nest turned out to be a bit more difficult than expected as they had found a crack between the
Wheat-driven buzz
Expert’s Radar: Other nations’ output may sway prices at home
Grain trade expects lower canola yields
Harvest pressures may drag on price rallies
Harvest operations are in their early stages across Western Canada, leaving the canola market in a somewhat precarious position awaiting news and biding time until there’s a clearer picture on the size of this year’s crop. The November contract held in a rather narrow $30 per tonne range in early August, between $770 and $800,
Rolling the dice on forecasts
Expert's Radar: Definite market directions are hard to pin down
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
Canola falls in pre-harvest wait
Weather conditions batter against speculation, demand lull
ICE Futures canola contracts moved lower as the calendar flipped to the new 2023-24 crop year, but managed to uncover support in the early days of August. While Prairie weather remains a major market driver, speculative positioning and a lack of significant commercial demand weighed on values. November canola fell below its 20-day moving average
ICE canola weekly outlook: Prices trending down ahead of harvest
Harvest pressure may not be that large this year says analyst
MarketsFarm – ICE Futures canola contracts lost ground during the week ended Aug. 2, as spillover from outside markets and easing concerns over the state of the crop ahead of the harvest weighed on values. Excessive heat during the flowering period in June and July caused canola prices to climb higher, but the market is
Reading the roadmaps of the grain market
Expert’s Radar: Beware of ‘construction’ signs
I recently drove back and forth from Winnipeg to the Turtle Mountains in southwestern Manitoba. It’s about a three-hour drive, or three-and-a-half with the required ice cream stop. There are a few routes that head in the same general direction, so after running into construction on Highway 2 on the way down, we opted for
Market experts predict yellow fields for the year
Expert’s Radar: How much have the world’s farmers painted their fields in oils?
My neighbour recently had her house painted, transforming the once-drab stucco with peeling green trim into a beautiful rusty red with cream-coloured accents. Just a few days before the painters showed up, she was still second-guessing her colour choices, but the end result looks great. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders while also
U.S. wheat export data leaves trade underwhelmed
Expert's Radar: Time has been unkind to oats futures
One of my favourite bands from back in high school is set to headline a free concert at my hometown’s annual summer festival this year. I’m looking forward to it, but at the same time, it serves as a reminder that I’ve been around for a while and not so young anymore. Oats knows? Oats
High prices drawing cows to market early
Values remain historically strong at limited sales
Activity may have slowed for the summer at Manitoba’s cattle auction yards, but optimism is high, with strong prices expected when the fall run eventually gets underway. Only a handful of sales took place during the last week of June, with many auctions closed for the season or operating at a reduced schedule. However, prices
Mother Nature can have a toddler’s temperament
Expert's Radar: Recession concerns may lead speculators to exit commodities
Getting young kids involved with helping around the house is important for their development, building responsibility and growing their skills, but it can also come with plenty of unintended consequences. Dishes slip out of small hands and break. The soup bowls at the table are paired with dessert spoons. The mirror has more fingerprints than
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
