WINNIPEG — Demand for feedgrains has slowed on the Prairies because of uncertainty in cattle markets posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many cattle processing and packing plants across North America have closed due to lack of staff, which has caused widespread issues in feedgrain supply chains. “The lack of forward bids has weighed on markets,” […] Read more
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Global grain stocks offer false sense of food security
In the event of a production shortfall, 60 per cent of available stocks would never be available to the market
The economic parallels from the COVID-19 epidemic are quickly changing from comparisons to the recent financial crisis in 2008-09 to the Great Depression. My parents and grandparents lived through the Depression and it did have many impacts on their everyday lives. The main symbol of the Depression-era mentality was the two enormous chest freezers in […] Read more
Wheat acres at record lows, increase for soybeans, corn: USDA
WINNIPEG, March 31 (MarketsFarm) – As with last year, total wheat acres in the United States are projected to remain at all-time lows, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA). The department issued its prospective plantings estimates on Tuesday. MarketsFarm Director of Markets and Weather Bruce Burnett called the USDA’s wheat and soybean estimates […] Read more
U.S. grain stocks down this March
WINNIPEG, March 31 (MarketsFarm) – Stocks of wheat in the United States are significantly lower as of March 1, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The department issued its grain stocks as of March 1 report today. The USDA pegged total wheat stocks at 1.41 billion bushels, which is 11 per cent lower […] Read more
U.S. edible bean acres to increase, but other pulses down
Winnipeg, March 31 (MarketsFarm) – Farmers in the United States intend to plant more edible bean acres in 2020, but will seed less peas, lentils and chickpeas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Prospective Plantings Report. Edible bean area in the country is forecast at 1.372 million acres, which would be up roughly seven […] Read more
Home flour use soars during COVID-19 pandemic
That's led to increased demand for milling wheat — at least temporarily
It is hard not to miss the lack of flour in the grocery aisles lately as consumers stock up on the “essentials”. A number of stores are just rolling out the pallets of flour into the store and they are picked clean by the end of the day. The increased domestic use of flour does […] Read more
Suddenly agriculture is important
A trend has developed in the business news channels over the past week that has not been hard to miss. Suddenly the CEO’s of the big agriculture and food concerns are being featured front and centre during the business segments. Usually these companies are noted only when they release quarterly results and even then there […] Read more
Crush margins heading up
WINNIPEG, (MarketsFarm) – As canola and other farm commodities made strong gains over the last week, there was something a little strange about things, according to Winnipeg-based trader Bill Craddock. He said crush margins follow prices for edible oils and meal, as well as the Canadian dollar. It’s all part of the formula used to […] Read more
Wheat futures underpinned for now, but watching headlines
Winnipeg,(MarketsFarm) – United States wheat futures have climbed higher over the past week, with the largest gains in Chicago Board of Trade soft wheat, as global uncertainty over the COVID-19 pandemic provided some support. However, that uncertainty could also makes predicting market trends rather difficult, according to an analyst. “All of my comments come with […] Read more
Lack of willing sellers keeps pulses underpinned
Winnipeg, (MarketsFarm) – Pea and lentil bids in Western Canada are holding relatively steady for the time being, despite anecdotal reports of increased international demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with attention soon shifting to spring seeding. A lack of willing sellers is keeping pulse bids underpinned in Western Canada, according to broker Dale McManus, […] Read more
