Markets
Using the latest in recreational-Lego technology, an Alberta boy builds on cutting-edge autonomous farm technology
CALGARY – The imagination of a farm machinery builder might be surpassed only by that of a kid. Seedmaster founder Norbert Beaujot once dreamed of farm machinery rolling about a field with no one to drive — just working away, efficiently and reliably. The result was the 2017 debut of the DOT, autonomous field platform. […] Read more
Markets
Africa entices youth to farming with technology
RULINDO, Rwanda (Reuters) — Marie Chantal Akingeneye has had no source of manure for her fruits and vegetables since she lost her only cow to an unknown illness, but she hopes a new phone app could help. After attending a training session by the United Nations, which developed the technology, she thinks the app will […] Read more
Conditions converge on weaker canola; Russian exports weaken wheat
ICE Futures canola contracts were weaker on Friday, taking some direction from the Chicago Board of Trade soy complex as traders squared positions ahead of Christmas and the New Year. Bearish technical signals, a lack of significant demand, and large supplies in the commercial pipeline all contributed to the losses in canola, according to participants. […] Read more
Ag Canada raises wheat stocks projections, lowers canola
Canadian wheat ending stocks for 2018/19 (Aug/Jul) will be slightly larger than earlier thought, according to updated supply/demand tables from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Meanwhile, the carryout projections for both canola and peas were revised lower in the latest monthly report, released Dec. 20, 2018. Taking into account the adjusted production estimates from Statistics Canada, […] Read more
U.S. may lose Japanese wheat fight
The U.S. industry says the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership could spell disaster
U.S. wheat is facing “imminent collapse” in the Japanese market, and Canada and Australia will be the beneficiaries of its demise. Japan has been the largest and most valuable U.S. wheat customer over the past five years, but that is about to change in a hurry, according to U.S. Wheat Associates. Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, […] Read more
Cereals Canada remains optimistic about durum recovery
Members of a recent trade mission feel hopeful for the crop’s prospects, particularly in Italy, Morocco and Algeria
Canadian durum producers had few reasons to celebrate in 2018 but there might be some cause for optimism in the New Year. Cam Dahl, president Cereals Canada, said he has renewed optimism that Canadian durum exports to key markets in Italy, Morocco and Algeria will pick up in 2019. The lingering question is how quickly? […] Read more
Oat rally continues amid tight global supplies
Production problems in Canada as well as in key international exporting countries have left millers scrambling
Strong demand for top-quality Canadian milling oats could result in significantly larger western Canadian oat plantings next year. That’s according to John Duvenaud, a leading oat market analyst and publisher of the Wild Oats Grain Market Advisory in Winnipeg. Duvenaud said strong oat prices and excellent forward prices will have many growers looking at oats […] Read more
Food costs might rise modestly but are still affordable
One challenge journalists face is to provide context to the issues and events they cover while mindful of the space and time constraints inherent in their medium. Facts by themselves might yield little meaning or the wrong meaning if they are not given context. I yearned for a little more context in the reporting on […] Read more
Cash advances often not worth the hassle for farmers
When is free money not worth it? When it’s too much hassle in a business where time is money. That’s the message I’m getting from a number of farmers I’ve talked with about why they don’t use cash advances, which seem like free money, in a theoretical sense. In reality, the financial gain just doesn’t […] Read more
Ample supply holds back Canola; wheat unchanged
ICE Futures canola contracts were weaker on Thursday, as losses in most outside equity and energy markets spilled into the grains and oilseeds. Declines in Chicago Board of Trade soybean and soyoil contracts contributed to the softer tone in canola, with the losses in soybeans coming despite some solid weekly export data. Ample canola supplies […] Read more
