Markets
A deepening connection to the biofuel sector will see the turbulence grow, but farmers can take steps to protect themselves
Volatile canola markets will get even more turbulent in the years ahead as the biofuel sector consumes an increasing amount of the oilseed, says an analyst. The Canadian Oilseed Processors Association (COPA) is forecasting that the biofuel industry will be buying 6.5 million tonnes of the crop per year by 2030, up from 1.8 million […] Read more
Markets
Pulse sector says U.S. dog food probe causing damage
Food and Drug Administration finds no evidence that pulses cause heart problems in dogs, but investigation continues
Canada’s pulse sector believes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is barking up the wrong tree. The FDA launched an investigation of pulse-based dog food diets in 2018 after receiving reports of elevated levels of non-hereditary dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is a thinning and stretching of the heart chambers in dogs. Between Jan. 1, 2014, […] Read more
Crop prices an exception in commodity slump
Commodity markets are facing a bearish 2023, according to most analysts, but bull markets should remain in a number of agricultural commodities. Unfortunately for farmers, that gleaming outlook is tarnished by the outlook for fertilizers, which are predicted to remain strong and will continue to suck away much of the potential profitability of crop production. […] Read more
Farmers find themselves in world economy’s sweet spot
The world’s a mess, so it’s hard to have much confidence about predictions for the world economy in 2023. For farmers, the good news is that crops aren’t expected to weaken along with industrial commodities if the world sails into recession, as most expect. This is one of those times when it’s good to be […] Read more
Pulse sector faces acre turbulence
There is mounting trepidation about the threat the thriving oilseed sector poses to North America’s pulse industry. “Most pulse industry people should be concerned,” says Jeff Van Pevenage, president of Columbia Grain International, a grain company headquartered in Portland, Oregon, that handles pulses and other crops. He thinks 30 percent of the dry bean acres […] Read more
Veg oil pressured by lower U.S. renewable diesel targets
Canola prices rebounded from a low hit at the end of November, partly on Statistics Canada’s crop size reduction, but future gains might be difficult as vegetable oil prices are under pressure. Veg oils, led by soy oil, garnered strong support this year from the expansion of the renewable diesel sector, which is positioning itself […] Read more
War dries up Europe’s access to vegetable oil
Ukraine’s sunflower oil exports have fallen by 15 percent since the Russian invasion began and Russia’s by 27 percent
The European Union needs to find a way to replace much of the vegetable oil it used to import from Ukraine, says an industry official. Loic Boucher, Corteva Agriscience’s oilseed marketing lead for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said Ukraine is a major global exporter of the commodity. And the European Union is its […] Read moreWP livestock report
Hogs The U.S. national live price average for barrows and gilts was US$83.07 Dec. 9. U.S. hogs averaged $83.07 on a carcass basis Dec. 2, up from $82.95 Dec. 2. The U.S. pork cutout was $88.56 per hundredweight Dec., down from $88.94 Dec. 2. The estimated U.S. weekly slaughter to Dec. 10 was 2.572 million, […] Read more
Canfax report
This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca. Dressed sales steady Alberta direct cattle sales saw light dressed trade last week, with buying interest reported […] Read more
Nitrogen fertilizer prices at mercy of global issues
The global fertilizer outlook for 2023 ranges from bullish to bearish depending on the nutrient, according to an analyst. Vitor Pistoia, farm inputs analyst for Rabobank, is forecasting rising nitrogen fertilizer prices in 2023, but it is unclear how much worse it will get for farmers. It all hinges on what happens when the European […] Read more
