Markets
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Ranchers drove 13.9 percent more cattle into U.S. feedlots in November than the same time a year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported. The result exceeded the high end of the range of analysts’ forecasts, partly fuelled by low feed prices in the wake of this fall’s bumper U.S. corn […] Read more
Markets
U.S. feedlot placements bigger than expected
Tougher crops may change traditional approach to markets
Is this the year the big question gets answered? Have we moved into a new age of dependable and resilient crop yields that can withstand the weather shocks that used to wreck major crops? Some people think the answer is yes, we have, and the steady production and flat crop markets of recent years are […] Read more
Grim forecast made for U.S. farm profits
Rabobank has a grim long-term outlook for grain prices and farm profit margins but another leading economist doesn’t share that view. Rabobank recently produced a report titled A Time to Evolve that forecasts a median U.S. farmgate corn price of US$3.60 to $3.80 per bushel between 2018 and 2024. “Although the row crop economy appears […] Read more
Editor departs but will continue column
Before we get into the markets, I’ll note that this will be my last column as a member of the Western Producer staff. After about 34 wonderful years in journalism, 21 1/2 of them at this fine newspaper, I am taking early retirement. I am blessed with many interests and look forward to spending more […] 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. Fed cattle strong The market ended on a high note with prices the strongest since early June […] Read more
A good way to get briefed: Between the Rows
How do you get briefed? I hope one of your answers is: “By reading newspapers.” That’d be good for my career longevity. And it would mean you’re serious about being informed. But there are obviously lots of other ways to get briefed on the parts of the world that you’re interested in. Radio and TV […] Read more
Canola closes out year with small gain
Winnipeg, Dec. 29 (CNS Canada) – Canola contracts on the ICE Futures Canada platform finished slightly higher on Friday, propped up by gains in United States soybeans and soyoil. Cold temperatures across the Prairies discouraged farmer deliveries. The most-active March contract received some technical support at the C$485 per tonne mark. The market chopped around […] Read more
New laser technology proves successful for B.C. orchard
Growers at a British Columbia orchard are using new laser technology to deter birds from eating their cherry crops, an effort they say has so far paid off. “It’s been very successful,” said Gayle Krahn, the horticulture manager with Coral Beach Farms in Lake Country, B.C. The device called an Agrilaser projects green beams just […] Read more
High-tech deterrent devices protect crops from … intruding elephants?
Lasers to deter birds in Canadian orchards are one innovative way to handle beasts that can damage crops. But birds are small. You know what’s large? Elephants. True, elephants on the Prairies aren’t a problem. But elephants in Africa are — and they’re without a doubt the largest pest farmers have to deal with. In […] Read more
Diamondback moths focus of Cornell study
The diamondback moth project at Cornell University isn’t a normal research project. Cornell has created a detailed website for the project, the university has a media contact person specifically for the research and there is a Frequently Asked Questions link on the website. Cornell entomologist Tony Shelton is testing a novel approach to control diamondback […] Read more
