Sean Pratt

Sean Pratt

Reporter/Analyst

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Sean Pratt has been working at The Western Producer since 1993 after graduating from the University of Regina’s School of Journalism. Sean also has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and worked in a bank for a few years before switching careers. Sean primarily writes markets and policy stories about the grain industry and has attended more than 100 conferences over the past three decades. He has received awards from the Canadian Farm Writers Federation, North American Agricultural Journalists and the American Agricultural Editors Association.

Stories by Sean Pratt

A head of wheat in focus with its field in the background.
News

Former assistant commissioner claims harassment at Canadian Grain Commission

Patty Rosher says she was informed she was being investigated for allegations of inappropriate behaviour in September 2022

A former assistant chief commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission has written a blog post claiming she was subjected to interference and harassment during her time at the agency.
A person leaves a small boquet of flowers next to a sign drawn like a gravestone that says, RIP USAID - 1961 - 2025"
Markets

Major buyer of U.S. crops in limbo

President targets the U.S. Agency for International Aid, which accounts for $2 billion in annual commodity purchases

A U.S. food aid program that accounts for about $2 billion in annual commodity purchases is in limbo as the agency that administers the program is under duress.
Wheat is being augered into the box of a grain truck.
Markets

China cuts back significantly on wheat imports

Canada sold 233,400 tonnes to the country in the first five months of 2024-25, compared to 1.26 million tonnes last year

The world’s top wheat buyer,China, is purchasing a lot less of the product this year.
A low level shot of soybean plants.
Markets, Weather

Eyes on weather in South America

Market’s attention will shift to the U.S. crop once South America comes into sharper focus

South American weather will dictate how Argentina’s corn and soybean crops finish and the planting pace of Brazil’s winter or safrinha corn crop.
U.S. farmers have harvested three of the largest corn crops in history the last five years, resulting in a surplus. However, demand has been keeping pace with supply, keeping ending stocks under two billion bushels. | File photo
Markets, Tariffs

Global grain demand continues to match supply

Producers are urged to consider put and call options as well as seasonal averaging products for all their crops this year

SASKATOON — The grain and oilseed market outlook for 2024-25 boils down to one simple factor. “It’s really a case of big supplies versus big demand,” said Rhett Montgomery, DTN’s lead analyst. Related stories: “It’s really going to be an arm wrestle to see what side of that equation wins out.” Corn traded in the […] Read more
An increased focus on sustainability is also seen as an opportunity for exporters. For example, a growing list of customers in overseas markets such as Japan want to buy sustainably sourced soybeans. | File photo
Markets, Tariffs

Sustainability: the new trade barrier

European Union is seen as leading the way in sustainability regulations that could distort agricultural trade in a big way

SASKATOON — Agricultural exporters, including Canada, are facing a new type of trade barrier, according to the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance. “There has been a trend towards sustainability initiatives that can be used as market access barriers and we want to push back against that trend,” said CAFTA executive director Michael Harvey. “It’s a pretty […] Read more
Imperial Oil’s biofuel refinery planned for Alberta’s Strathcona County will use Canadian-grown canola oil as a feedstock produced from 2.5 million tonnes of canola seed annually. | File photo
News

Alta. biofuel refinery on track

SASKATOON — Imperial Oil Ltd. continues to make progress on its biofuel refinery in Alberta’s Strathcona County that will consume massive amounts of canola oil. “Once that facility is commissioned next year, it will be the largest renewable diesel manufacturing plant in Canada,” said Jason MacDonald, fuels policy adviser with Imperial. Related stories: The $720 […] Read more
Corn field and a US flag
Crop Management, Markets, News

Global grain demand continues to match supply

Producers are urged to consider put and call options as well as seasonal averaging products for all their crops this year

SASKATOON — The grain and oilseed market outlook for 2024-25 boils down to one simple factor. “It’s really a case of big supplies versus big demand,” said Rhett Montgomery, DTN’s lead analyst. “It’s really going to be an arm wrestle to see what side of that equation wins out.” Corn traded in the range of […] Read more

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