By providing a market for U.S. corn it keeps other grain and oilseed prices from dropping
Canada continues to import huge volumes of U.S. ethanol. The United States shipped 1.34 billion litres of the fuel to Canada last year, which is enough to supply most of the country’s mandate. “Canada definitely is a net importer of ethanol, and it requires that to meet the national mandate,” said Jim Grey, chair of […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
West coast terminal likely
Canada appears likely to get its first new west coast grain terminal in three decades. Peter Xotta, vice-president of planning and operations with Port Metro Vancouver, said a number of grain companies are considering building a new terminal at the port. “It looks pretty clear that there will be at least one. I wouldn’t want […] Read more
Pulses appear to have survived recent frost
Canada’s pulse crops not only weathered the killing frost of the May long weekend, they are thriving, according to one of the country’s largest lentil processors. Simpson Seeds is headquartered in Moose Jaw, Sask., which was the epicentre of a widespread frost that delivered freezing temperatures right across the prairie region. The thermometer dipped to […] Read more
AGT planning major expansions
Company president says AGT Food and Ingredients will add capacity to its pulse facility in Minot
Regina will not be the location for AGT Food and Ingredient’s next pulse food ingredients plant. The Regina-based company announced it is instead expanding its facility in Minot, North Dakota, which makes pulse-based flours, proteins, starches and fibres for pet and human food. Company president Murad Al-Katib had previously said the firm would consider adding […] Read moreTPP has great potential for some industries
Most of the Canadian news coverage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement has focused on the potential threat to Canada’s supply managed dairy and poultry sectors. “There hasn’t, in our view, been enough understanding of how we could benefit,” said Brian Innes, vice-president of government relations with the Canola Council of Canada. That is why the […] Read more
Naber Specialty licence revoked
Grain delivered before May 9 will be covered by the producer payment security program
The Canadian Grain Commission has taken away Naber Specialty Grain’s licence. “A renewal of their licence was not granted because it could no longer meet some of our licensing requirements,” said commission spokesperson Remi Gosselin. He would not divulge what requirements the Melfort, Sask., company failed to meet but said some of the requirements for […] Read more
Looming El Nino may hurt Australian winter crops
Dry conditions will likely reduce Australia’s winter crop production. However, there is debate about whether the harm will come now during seeding or later in the year at reproduction as an El Nino takes hold. Chuck Penner, analyst with LeftField Commodity Research, says growers are seeding into dry soil in eastern Australia. The Australian Bureau […] Read more
Hot summer expected for Prairies
Shorts should be a popular choice of attire this summer in Western Canada, according to AccuWeather. “One thing I will say is about 80 to 90 percent of the computer models we’re looking at here are all in agreement that this summer is going to be warmer compared to normal,” said senior meteorologist Brett Anderson. […] Read more
Good malting prices may hike barley acres
Analysts expect the biggest barley crop since 2009, despite information refuting rumours that maltsters are desperate for supply
Farmers must have been in a secretive mood when they told Statistics Canada how much barley they were going to seed this year. The official estimate calls for 6.4 million acres of the crop. “I think they’re out to lunch,” said Rod Green, owner of Central Ag Marketing, a grain broker specializing in malt barley. […] Read more
Will tighter stocks lift corn prices
Agrium researcher expects prices to strengthen but an analyst cites an overall ‘commodity deflationary cycle’
North America’s leading crop input provider believes corn and other grain and oilseed prices will be stronger in the second half of 2015-16. Jason Newton, head of market research for Agrium, is forecasting a “pretty significant decline” in the U.S. corn stocks-to-use ratio, which bodes well for prices. His analysis is based on a forecast […] Read more
