T – for Mar. 5, 2009

he Japanese are regarded as the true pioneers of market technical analysis. They began trading forward rice contracts (Futures) in 1654 and over the next three centuries have developed many sophisticated ways to analyze the markets. One Japanese method of charting is called “Candlestick” because the individual lines resemble candles. While candlestick charts use the

Grain Prices Uncertain Amid Global Economic Turmoil

Bewildered farmers may well be wondering what caused the global financial crisis and what the future holds for commodity prices. Analysts discussing the topic at this week’s GrainWorld conference in Winnipeg couldn’t offer much by way of answers. While the world faces a big recession with no quick recovery, the feeling was grain prices will


Review Of CWB Pricing Options Warranted

For once, critics of the Canadian Wheat Board are advancing a reasonable suggestion. The Grain Growers of Canada is calling for an independent review of risk management strategies at the CWB. Grain Growers of Canada is decidedly not a CWB supporter. However, unlike much of the anti-CWB rhetoric, their call for an independent review has

You Can’t Beat The Pool

JOHN MORRISS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR One of the more peculiar accusations levelled at the Canadian Wheat Board is that it is “secretive.” Compared to what? No other of the world’s major grain-marketing organizations provides so much detail such as that in the annual report released this month. Contrast the CWB’s multi-page statements of revenue and expenses


A. G., Ritz Invited To Review CWB Books

Canadian Wheat Board chair Larry Hill is so confident in the way the CWB managed its contingency fund and resulting deficit he’s inviting federal auditor general Sheila Fraser and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz to review the books and make the findings public. “I think the Auditor General would assure producers that everything is fine,” Hill

CBOT’s New Limits On Non-Grain Players Approved

The Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) on Feb. 13 received U. S. government approval to limit cash grain delivery instruments held by non-grain firms – its latest move to cool criticism about the performance its grain contracts. CBOT’s regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), approved an amended Feb. 9 request to reduce the large


Board Accountable To Farmers

The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) recently published its annual report for the 2007-08 crop year. It was an exceptional year for Prairie grain producers, with record sales values and revenue for their grain. At the same time, the range of flexible payment options available to producers continued to expand. Over six million tonnes were committed

Will A World Wheat Contract Replace CBOT Futures?

“The market is going to take care of itself, the banking system will be back in order, the risk management of the grain companies will be back in order, and everybody is not going to be terrified.” – GLENN HOLLANDER Is the grain industry ready for a world wheat futures contract? A year-long campaign to


Resurgent Grains May Stoke U. S. Food Prices

ANALYSIS BY SAM NELSON A resurgent U. S. grain market, stoked by drought in South America, spells more financial troubles for struggling meat producers and higher food prices for consumers already pinched by the recession. The worst drought in decades in Argentina, and in neighbouring Brazil, is helping to rally prices of corn and soybeans

Canola Use At Record Pace, Supply Declining

For three-times-daily market reports from Don Bousquet and RNI, visit “ICE Futures Canada updates” at www.manitobacooperator.ca Grain and oilseed futures at ICE Futures Canada in Winnipeg closed the week ended Feb. 6 higher, with gains in the U. S. futures markets supporting prices. Canola rallied, as China picked up at least five cargoes and was