Markets
Let’s talk about black swans and pigs in this column. The black swan is a metaphor, while the pigs are real. When I was in university, I had a summer job in a park in Moose Jaw, Sask. The park has a beautiful creek that was stocked with swans and ducks. One spring, the city […] Read more
Markets
Weather-generated flash rallies requires quick action
Farmers might be frustrated when major negative weather events fail to stimulate lasting price rallies, but they should learn to value the opportunities generated by weather rallies that are too good to last. That’s what we saw with the recent wheat market rally ignited by the snowstorm and heavy rain that hit the southern U.S. […] Read more
Russian grain exports likely steady in 2017-18
MOSCOW, May 25 (Reuters) – Russia will have about the same amount of grain to offer the global market in 2017-18 despite a smaller crop thanks to record stocks, SovEcon agriculture consultancy said. Russia will start the new 2017-18 season on July 1 with all-time high grain stocks of 20.3 million tonnes, up 64 percent […] Read more
Lower North American durum acres keeps attention on yields
Winnipeg, May 24 (CNS Canada) – North America’s smaller durum acreage base in 2017 could give prices a boost later in the growing season, depending on how yields shape up for the new crop, according to a U.S. analyst. Disease issues in 2016 and better projected returns for other crops in 2017 are expected to […] Read more
Top grains traders face tough choice: Partner, merge or wait for bad weather
By Tom Polansek CHICAGO, May 24 (Reuters) – Commodity trader Glencore Plc’s confirmation on Tuesday that it sought a tie up with grains trader Bunge Ltd likely signals the start of a wave of consolidation and partnering in the industry, as middlemen struggle to make profits amid a massive global food glut. Bunge and other […] Read more
CME live cattle retreat following initial cash prices
CHICAGO, May 24 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts slumped on Wednesday, pulled down by technical selling and lower preliminary cash prices, said traders. June closed 0.950 cent per pound lower at 122.125 cents. August closed 1.400 cents lower at 119.925 cents, and below the 10-day moving average of 120.130 cents. Wednesday morning’s […] Read more
VIDEO: Canada’s agricultural markets update – May 24, 2017
D’Arce McMillan, The Western Producer markets editor, monitors trends in the North American and global agricultural markets. Each week he hosts a market video about crops. The video is designed to help viewers understand the forces responsible for changes in the trade. If agricultural markets are important to you, we have you covered.
Statistics Canada takes heat on canola supply estimates
Statistics Canada has come under fire by analysts for its canola production and stocks estimates but the agency remains confident in its numbers. Todd Mulligan, senior crops analyst at Statistics Canada, said the November estimates of crop production are based on a survey covering 26,500 farms. “We have a lot of confidence because that is […] Read more
VIDEO: Stars align to bring good cattle prices
The laws of supply and demand have seen the gavel drop on good cattle prices of late in a rally that began about four months ago. Live prices rose by US$20 per hundredweight in the last four weeks, reaching a high not seen since last August. Where the market will top, or whether it already […] Read more
Global oilseed stock estimate hammers soybean prices
Prices and profitability for oilseeds have generally been stronger than for grain because soybeans, canola and other oil crops have not suffered burdensome global oversupply. However, last week’s U.S. Department of Agriculture monthly supply and demand report underlined that global soybean stocks are not as tight as they once were. And that affects Canadian canola […] Read more
