SASKATOON — It seems like every oilseed crop is vying to be a biofuel feedstock, with one notable exception. “Flax is kind of the odd man out,” said Dale Leftwich, policy manager for the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission. He doesn’t know why that is the case. “I’m not sure what all of the reasons would […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Experts bearish on soybean crush, export demand
If U.S. soybean prices falter due to high ending stocks, it could affect canola price
SASKATOON — A leading agricultural economist thinks the United States soybean sector is going to have a “very ugly” 2024 and early 2025. Scott Irwin, professor of agriculture at the University of Illinois, is bearish on crush and export demand for the oilseed. Related stories: “Unless the U.S. has a substantial production problem this summer, […] Read more
Mexican crop troubles benefit Canadian bean growers
Statistics Canada estimates farmers will plant 358,150 acres to beans this year, a 12 percent hike from the previous year
SASKATOON — Growers in Canada and the United States planted more black and pinto beans and fewer navy beans in response to Mexico’s production hardships, say industry officials. Orion Roy-Wright, a trader with ADM Edible Beans, told the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) that producers in those two countries increased black bean plantings by 15 to […] Read more
India’s high pulse target questioned
SASKATOON — India is unlikely to meet its robust pulse production targets for 2024-25, according to a leading analyst from that country. The proposed target is 29.9 million tonnes of kharif and rabi pulses, up from an estimated 23.44 million tonnes this year, according to a story that ran in the Hindu Business Line. Related […] Read more
Gene editing promises to open floodgates for canola traits
Company uses the technology to develop new varieties that will target pod shatter, sclerotinia and herbicide resistance
SASKATOON — Canola growers can expect a bunch of new seed traits to hit the market in coming years as gene-editing technology takes off, says an industry official. Cibus is one company doing a lot of work on that front and is expected to commercialize three new traits in Canada before the end of this […] Read more
Lower canola exports to increase ending stocks
Agriculture Canada boosts ending stocks estimate, but analysts say it must go higher due to the ‘abysmal’ state of exports
SASKATOON — Agriculture Canada has increased its estimate for 2024-25 canola ending stocks, but analysts think it didn’t go far enough. Carryout was bumped to 2.5 million tonnes in the May outlook, up from 1.65 million tonnes in April. Related stories: That is due in a large part to an increase in carry-in, which is […] Read more
Black Sea region expected to produce more flax
The crop is faring better than others in Russia's drought-hit regions, and acreage is anticipated to be higher than last year
SASKATOON — Black Sea flax growers are hoping for a rebound year. Acreage is expected to be up in Russia, although there are no official numbers yet, said Sergey Pluzhnikov, head of sales for Temporia Capital Company and founder of Russian Pulses Analytics. Related stories: Russian farmers planted 3.46 million acres of the oilseed last […] Read more
U.S. winter wheat crop looks good
Recent tour uncertain if projections will hold to end of the season
SASKATOON — The winter wheat crop in the United States is in better condition than the government is forecasting, according to a recent crop tour. After scouting 449 fields, primarily in Kansas, the tour came up with an average yield of 46.5 bushels per acre. “Our yields came in much higher certainly than I was […] Read more
China’s imports to determine prices
The USDA estimates that China's buying needs will jump by 2034, while a Chinese science academy says they will shrink
SASKATOON — China’s crop imports are forecast to be robust in the year ahead, but the Chinese government is predicting a major contraction over the next decade. The U.S. Department of Agriculture believes China will import a record 109 million tonnes of soybeans in 2024-25. Related stories: Corn imports are forecast at 23 million tonnes, […] Read more
Gene-edited wheat tested
SASKATOON — Agriculture Canada has planted its first research plots of gene-edited wheat. The experimental wheat is being grown in a small field trial at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre. Related stories: The goal is to produce spring wheat lines with greater ability to receive and use sunlight, according to an Alberta Farmer Express article. A […] Read more
