On-again, off-again tariff talk kept agricultural markets on edge with the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Living up to his name, the president’s whims and proclamations have a tendency of trumping anything else going on, and the early days of the new U.S. administration promised more of the same. While the initial flurry of […] Read more
Markets

Delayed U.S. tariffs support feeder complex
Fears that the U.S. would implement a tariff on feeder cattle ignited concerns that the market would drop sharply
For the week ending Jan. 25, western Canadian feeder markets were quite variable, trading $5-$10 on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Prices for calves weighing less than 600 pounds were variable as adverse weather resulted in risk discount in certain regions. Producer selling increased over the past couple of weeks, and […] Read more
Canola oil demand expected to rise
Global supply is tightening as canola and sunflower production drops and palm oil output in Malaysia, Indonesia plateaus
BRANDON — Demand for canola oil looks strong in the short term and the longer term, says a market analyst from Germany. In the 2024-25 crop year, world supplies of sunflower seed and rapeseed (including canola) dropped about 13 million tonnes. Crushing of the two oilseeds will decline this year and palm oil output has […] Read moreWP livestock report
Hogs The U.S. national live price average for barrows and gilts was $63.91 Jan. 24. It was not available Jan. 17. U.S. hogs averaged $80.38 on a carcass basis Jan. 24, up from $78.50 Jan. 17. The U.S. pork cutout was $91.69 per hundredweight Jan. 24, up from $90.60 Jan. 17. The estimated U.S. weekly […] Read more
Canfax report
This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattle Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca. Steers, heifers down The fed market continues to be hot, rising by $28 per hundredweight over the […] Read more

VIDEO – Manitoba Ag Days: ‘Political manipulations’ hold back canola – analyst
BRANDON — If global politics, tariffs and uncertainty were magically removed from the market, canola prices in Canada would likely be $1.50 per bushel higher, says a veteran markets analyst. The supply and demand fundamentals for canola are supportive of price this winter, but Canadian farmers are facing a situation where geopolitics are dominant and […] Read more

Tariff barriers affect trade flows more than they do prices
A halt in U.S. purchases of Canadian wheat would increase domestic consumption and reduce U.S.’s ability to export
Canada has dodged import tariffs for now, but we should be vigilant because we are likely to see them imposed in the coming months. However, even though tariffs are likely to be introduced in the next few months, the chances of an across the board 25 per cent import tax are remote. This delay provides […] Read more
Pulse industry works to stay ‘out of political crosshairs’
National organization strives to maintain relationship with China, India as diplomatic tensions with the two nations rise
REGINA — Canada’s pulse industry is working hard to retain Chinese pea imports, farmers attending the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers annual meeting heard. The country is an important market for Canadian peas, but that market needs attention in the face of government inattention and competition from Russia, said Pulse Canada vice-president of communications Jeff English. China […] Read more
Demand surges for beef and live, feeder cattle
Feeder cattle values jumped $200 to $250 per animal over the past week in what is described as a demand-led rally
For the week ending Jan. 18, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged compared to seven days earlier. U.S. president Donald Trump was inaugurated Jan. 20, and feedlot operators are concerned about potential tariffs on fed cattle and beef products. On Jan. 16, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis from […] Read more
Tariffs could heat up ‘boring’ potash market
ST. JEAN, Man. — The global market for potash is stable and somewhat “boring,” says a market watcher. However, that could change soon if U.S. president Donald Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian potash. Each year, Canada exports about seven million tonnes of potash across the border, supplying about 80 per cent of the demand for […] Read more