Canola traders will get their first official estimates of this year’s domestic canola crop from Statistics Canada on Aug. 29.

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,

Much like a summer storm hitting one field and leaving another dry only a few miles down the road, markets could go either way right now.

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

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

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


Just as there are real-time maps that can show you where traffic is slowed by construction, there are bearish warning signs in canola markets.

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

A canola field in bloom near Esterhazy, Sask., on July 21, 2023.

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

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

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

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

Canada’s canola industry is also looking to an increase in demand from the biofuel sector, with several projects in the works.

U.S. renewable fuel mandate muddies demand outlook

New-crop canola is above $700 but it’s hitting resistance

After trending higher for all of June, the ICE Futures canola market finally ran into resistance as the calendar officially switched to summer. Weather was at the forefront of all the North American agricultural markets, closely followed by a much-anticipated biofuel announcement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. From a chart standpoint, the new-crop November