The Canadian dollar has reached parity with its U.S. counterpart because of the Bank of Canada’s commitment to a tightening bias. Despite struggling economies in the U.S. and the euro zone, the Canadian dollar will likely hover around the parity mark for the remainder of the year, according to one analyst. “The Bank of Canada
Canadian dollar flirts with U.S. parity
Hot, dry weather to limit Ontario corn yields
A hot and dry July in Ontario’s key corn-growing regions has limited yield potential for the province’s 2012-13 corn crop. Some fields have survived the weather, but Ontario’s overall corn yields are expected to fall below trend levels. About 20 per cent of Ontario’s corn crop has been severely damaged from the heat wave. About
Canola yield estimates wide-ranging across West
Canola yield estimates across the Prairies are quite varied, ranging from above average to well below normal levels, depending on the area, according to industry analysts. The canola harvest in Manitoba is by far the most advanced on the Prairies. Early yield reports from around the province suggest canola yields are variable, despite high expectations
Prairie sunflowers flourishing despite heat, pests
Recent hot and dry weather has put some stress on western Canadian sunflowers as they finish flowering — but the weather conditions have also minimized threats from disease and pests, making the crop outlook very good for 2012-13 confection and oil sunflowers, according to one agronomist. "The issues caused by heat and dryness are more
Churchill shipments expected to remain high
Exports from the Port of Churchill are expected to remain high, as grain companies have used up nearly all of the incentive money offered by the federal government. The port will also be busy exporting new commodities this year. "There’s a very small percentage of the incentive remaining for this year, and there’s upwards of
Prairie feed barley bids strong
Cash bids for barley across Western Canada have seen an increase from last year. Limited supply on the Prairies and adverse weather conditions in the U.S. have contributed to the higher prices, particularly in Alberta. Bids at Lethbridge have moved up to anywhere between $5.75 and nearly $5.95 per bushel delivered to the feedlots, almost
Demand tightens Prairie chickpea supplies
Strong demand and tight global supplies are expected to help strengthen western Canadian chickpea cash bids. Chickpea production in some of the world’s top-producing nations such as India, Turkey, and Mexico were all less than expected. Yet demand has remained steady from end-users in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East, putting more pressure
Prairie cash oat bids up on U.S. weather, less acreage
Cash bids for oats across the Prairies have increased since last month. Drought conditions in the U.S. Midwest have been the major supportive factor, but decreased Prairie acreage has contributed to the long-term strength in western Canadian oat prices, according to experts. Current bids for oats in Manitoba are between $3.29 and $3.68 per bushel
Prairie winter wheat harvest to start early
The development of winter wheat crops in Western Canada is as much as two to three weeks ahead of schedule and could be harvested in Manitoba as early as next week. Suitable growing conditions and diligent spraying efforts have supported crop development, according to two wheat experts. Western Canada’s winter wheat crop conditions are looking
Canadian dollar within reach of U.S. parity
The Canadian dollar has shown some weakness over the last month, largely as a result of concerns over the European economy. But analysts are still expecting to see the Canadian dollar reach parity with the U.S. greenback by the end of the year. After reaching parity with the U.S. dollar in May, the Canadian dollar
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