CNS Canada — The national job vacancy rate in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector is increasing compared to the same period a year ago. Data for the first quarter of 2018, ending April 30, showed a vacancy rate of 6.9 per cent in the sector compared to 5.3 per cent in the first
National job vacancy rate increases in ag sector
Feeders slow to set price; U.S. futures try to rally
Global trade worries aren’t yet affecting beef demand
Cash cattle markets on both sides of the border and futures in the U.S. are reporting sluggish volumes but steady prices. Rick Wright of Heartland Order Buying said few feeders are entering sales rings and most of what’s being sold on cash markets are cull cows and bulls. “With our holiday on Sunday, Monday and
Firm, steady flax prices seen in the cards
CNS Canada — Farmers with flax in the ground should be pleased come autumn. Statistics Canada revised its seeded acreage estimate downward in late June and that, combined with lower carryout stocks and several other factors, should bring strong prices. “Given the demand in the market from China, the United States and potentially even the
Pulse weekly outlook: Peas may find opportunities ahead
CNS Canada — Ongoing trade disputes between the U.S. and several other countries might offer short-term opportunities for Canadian peas, but do the overall industry no good, according to the executive director of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. Carl Potts said ppeas could potentially find access to markets where the U.S. has been shut out, or in
Consider hedging against rate hikes, farmers advised
CNS Canada — The Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark interest rate to 1.5 per cent, marking the fourth time it has raised rates since last summer. The increase from 1.25 per cent is the base rate retail banks pay for short-term loans, but consumer rates for mortgages, lines of credit and other loans
Pulse weekly outlook: How growers can use weather markets
CNS Canada — With seeding complete and weather now the dominant market force, pulse producers can take advantage of their unique position, if they know how. Brian Clancey of Stat Publishing said farmers have a front-row seat to what is happening in their fields and that gives them the upper hand in marketing this time
Feed weekly outlook: Producers watching skies for signals
CNS Canada — Farmers and traders are keeping a watchful eye on the weather trying to sort out feed grain supplies. “This time of year, it’s a weather market and weather has been improving in much of Saskatchewan and in some of the more critically dry areas. They got a decent amount of moisture over
Feed weekly outlook: Markets watch Japan wheat ban, trade fights
CNS Canada — A Japanese ban on Canadian wheat might eventually push more wheat into feed markets, but traders say that’s not happening so far. Japan, Canada’s No. 2 wheat buyer after the U.S., instituted the ban last Friday after genetically modified wheat was discovered growing in Alberta. GM wheat is not approved for commercial
Ag balance sheet points to stable farm economy
CNS Canada — Canadian farmers saw their farm equity climb almost seven per cent last year compared to the year before — and Farm Credit Canada’s principal agricultural economist said that falls in line with FCC’s analysis. Data released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday showed 2017 farm equity climbed to $535.3 billion, up $34.6 billion
Good potato yields despite challenging year
A dry summer required a lot of irrigation and was followed by a dry fall that delayed digging
Many Manitoba potato growers faced nail-biting times this autumn as they struggled to get the crop off. In the end, however, yields are expected to be similar to last year. Dave Sawatzky, manager of Keystone Potato Producers Association, said he predicts yields will roughly be on par or slightly better than 2016’s harvest, when Manitoba
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