Markets
SASKATOON — A major importer of Canadian lentils has temporarily dropped its duty on the crop, but that probably won’t have a big impact on already sky-high Canadian prices, say industry officials. Turkey has announced it is dropping its 19.3 percent import duty on green lentils through June 30 and is also prohibiting export of […] Read more
Markets
Europe must find consensus on environmental policy
Many farmers in Europe are fed up and angry and showing it by getting in their tractors to form convoys clogging highways, blocking city centres and ports and demanding changes from their governments and the European Commission. Farmer protests in Europe are not uncommon. In France in particular, there is always an issue that prompts […] Read more
Watch out for ‘laziness risk’ as tech revolution continues
“How are we going to keep track of whether (artificial intelligence) is doing its job?” That humanly intelligent question came from James Hofer, a leader in Manitoba’s hog farming industry and a very smart guy, during the recent Manitoba Swine Seminar. He was worrying about what happens when the most important person in the barn […] Read more
Grain market outlook looks grim
SASKATOON — Grain growers should prepare for a year of falling prices and tight margins, says the chief economist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Seth Meyer told delegates attending the USDA’s 100th Agricultural Outlook Forum to expect a continuation of the downward trend in commodity prices in 2024-25. Corn prices are forecast to fall […] Read more
Sask. optimistic about sunflowers
MEDICINE HAT — Sunflower acres in Saskatchewan aren’t huge but a producer organization that supports the sector says there is potential to expand the crop for oilseed, confectionary and birdseed markets. Elaine Moats, Saskatchewan Sunflower Committee vice-president, said sunflowers are native to the province, which gives them natural attributes. “It’s our only native oilseed crop,” […] Read more
Corteva beats expectations
REUTERS — Agricultural chemical and seed company Corteva beat Wall Street estimates for fourth-quarter profit. Higher prices in its seeds business offset lower volumes and the company announced plans to repurchase nearly $1 billion shares in 2024. The Indianapolis-based company also forecast higher net sales in 2024, in the range of $17.4 to $17.7 billion, […] Read more
Canfax report
This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattle Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca. Low basis seen The western Canadian fed market continues to underperform relative to the U.S. and Ontario […] Read more
WP livestock report
Hogs The U.S. national live price average for barrows and gilts was $47.57 Feb. 9, down from $50.13 Feb. 2. U.S. hogs averaged $63.79 on a carcass basis Feb. 9, up from $61.76 Feb. 2. The U.S. pork cutout was $85.97 per hundredweight Feb. 9, down from $88.40 Feb. 2. The estimated U.S. weekly slaughter […] Read more
Soybean acres may soon stabilize in Manitoba
WINNIPEG — There’s an emerging consensus in Manitoba that soybean acres in the province could soon stabilize at around 1.5 to 1.9 million. A lot depends on the weather and markets, but representatives of the soy and pulse industry believe that nitrogen-fixing crops could become 25 percent of total acres in Manitoba. “We think there […] Read more
China opens wheat door to Argentina
SASKATOON — There is a new competitor in Canada’s top wheat market, but an analyst isn’t too concerned about the threat. Argentina and China agreed on a phytosanitary protocol in October 2023, paving the way for Argentine wheat to be imported by the Asian giant. Related stories: China, Indonesia to remain top wheat buyers Watch […] Read more
