USDA data snafu lends support, raises questions

“Having a wet planting season does create some difficulties in forecasting a lot of this information.” – Shawn McCambridge, Prudential Bache Commodities The U. S. government’s unprecedented correction of crop data on Oct. 28 gave some relief to grain markets battered by financial turmoil, but it may also have bruised the credibility of the U.

Wild birds seen carrying bird flus to U. S.

Migrating water fowl may be carrying avian influenza viruses from Asia to the Americas, U. S. government researchers reported Oct. 28. They found genetic evidence that some non-dangerous influenza viruses infecting northern pintail ducks in Alaska are genetically more closely related to Asian strains of bird flu than to North American strains. “Although some previous


Grains outlook muted by bearish economy

DON BOUSQUET It’s Your Business 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 Oct. 17 lower, as steep declines in Chicago futures markets and the continued instability in financial markets pressured prices down.