Markets
ARLINGTON, Va. (Reuters) – Mexico’s plan to limit imports of genetically modified corn is “not a situation that lends itself to a compromise,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Thursday. The United States said earlier this month that it was “disappointed” in the Mexican government’s latest decree to ban the corn for human consumption. […] Read more
Markets
Canola drives up Sask. exports to Mexico
Saskatchewan’s annual exports to Mexico have exceeded $1 billion for the first time. Trade surpassed $1.02 billion in 2022, thanks to increased sales of canola oil, canola seed and non-durum wheat, the province said in Feb. 23 news release. Canola seed made up nearly 55 percent of total exports to Mexico last year, with a […] Read more
Oat price system called dysfunctional
Crop destined for booming human food market is still priced off the feedgrain market, which tends to reflect corn prices
Oat growers are going to whipsaw crop production again this spring, slashing acres in response to the plunge in profitability. That’s going to set up better pricing times for farmers, says analyst Randy Strychar of oatinformation.com, but is yet another symptom of a deeply dysfunctional oats pricing system. “We have to change the pricing model. […] Read more
Grain corn acres expected to rebound in Man.
Higher costs to plant the crop, including special equipment, and steep financial risk will likely prevent a significant surge
It’s a great time to be a corn grower in Manitoba. Yields were fantastic in 2022 as many producers achieved 170 bushels per acre. A few growers topped 200 bu. on individual fields. Prices are strong, with old crop around $9 per bu. and new crop at $7.50 per bu. And soil moisture is better […] Read more
Malting barley test batches sent to China by container
Brewers use the smaller shipments of new varieties to ensure that they will work with their manufacturing process
The malting barley market is developing in the field and at overseas breweries, but it requires constant combat with wheat and other competitors for prairie farmers’ acres. The industry is thrilled with good new varieties getting out into farmers’ hands and is making sure to get the grain into Chinese hands as well. “We facilitate […] Read more
China’s four-legged consumers set for high-rise living
We all know that China’s food demand and production is a major factor in global agricultural trade. And the first representative image of Chinese imported food demand that comes to mind might be a crowded marketplace with lots of shoppers. However, what is likely a more accurate picture is a hog production facility because so […] Read more
Forecasts questioned as volatility trumps predictability
“Usually, a business plan is based upon a forecast.” That’s something that should change, former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz told me the other day when I asked him about his advice to businesses and farmers to give up on having forecast-based planning. It sounds wacky for an economist to recommend ignoring economists’ predictions […] Read more
Cattle herd rebuilding in U.S. likely years away
Additional slaughter capacity and plunging inventories could combine to open the door for Canadian producers
The drop in U.S. beef cattle inventories was expected, but the depth of the low caught many people off-guard. A recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed beef cattle numbers at a 60-year low. The 3.6 percent decline recorded as of Jan. 1 has left the United States with less than 29 million […] Read more
Soy sector hits the road
Soy Canada has completed a marketing mission to Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, where it shared information about Canadian soybeans and promoted them to potential customers in those countries. The mission was Soy Canada’s first since 2019. They were suspended in early 2020 due to concerns over COVID-19. “There’s nothing like being face-to-face to share and […] Read more
WP livestock report
Hogs The U.S. national live price average for barrows and gilts for Feb. 16 was $59.39, up from $53.57 Feb. 3. U.S. hogs averaged $76.82 on a carcass basis Feb. 16, down from $77.05 Feb. 10. The U.S. pork cutout was $83.06 per hundredweight Feb. 16, up from $81.05 Feb. 10. The estimated U.S. weekly […] Read more
