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.
News
Hogs tumble on pork price declines; cattle extend gains
CHICAGO, Feb 22 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell 3.8 percent for their biggest daily loss in about a month on Wednesday, pulled down by investment fund selling tied to lower cash hog and wholesale pork prices, traders said. Live cattle futures rose, extending gains to the fourth straight session on support […] Read more
Canola edges higher as market awaits USDA forecast
A weaker loonie and stronger vegetable oil prices helped canola futures to post a small gain on Wednesday. Palm and soy oil rose a little on bargain buying after sharp declines in recent days. Tightening supplies as exports and domestic crush move at a record pace support canola. Soybeans were lower on expectations of record […] Read more

Fraser Valley farming faces flood risk due to climate change
SUMMERLAND, B.C. — A new study raises alarms about potential high agricultural damages should peak water flows on the Fraser River increase as some climate change models predict. A report published by the Fraser Valley Regional District and British Columbia Agriculture and Food Climate Change Initiative calculated flood losses for three scenarios: ■ a flood […] Read more

Mild weather affects winter road weights in Sask.
The Saskatchewan government is reminding truckers to watch for regional weight restrictions on some provincial highways. The provincial highways department says warmer winter weather will affect truck haul weights on some highways, beginning this week. Increased winter weights will be removed in southwestern Saskatchewan beginning Friday. “Truckers and shippers are advised to monitor their loads […] Read more
Cattle hit 4-week high on beef gains; hogs weaken
CHICAGO, Feb 21 (Reuters) – U.S. live cattle futures jumped 1 percent to the highest prices in about four weeks on Tuesday, boosted by technical buying and gains in wholesale beef prices, traders said. Feeder cattle futures followed live cattle higher at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, while lean hogs were narrowly lower in light technical […] Read more
Maple Leaf buys veg-meat manufacturer
Maple Leaf Foods is buying a U.S.-based manufacturer of plant-based protein foods for US$140 million and related costs. Maple Leaf is buying Lightlife Foods, which makes 30 innovative products, including plant-based tempeh, hot dogs, breakfast foods and burgers, from Brynwood Partners VI L.P. The deal, financed from cash on hand, is expected to close in […] Read more
Canola down with soybeans on good South American prospects even as canola carryout shrinks
Aside from corn, it was a down day on North American crop futures exchanges on Tuesday. May canola slipped $2.40 to close at $522.60 per tonne reflecting weakness in Chicago soybeans and soy products. New crop November canola edged down 50 cents to close at $501.00 per tonne. Chicago corn edged slightly higher on news […] Read more
Canola crush margins continue downward slide
Winnipeg, Feb. 17 (CNS Canada) – Canola crush margins continue their downward slide, falling to their lowest levels in 10 months over the past week. Recent losses in many vegetable oil markets behind the declines. As of Feb. 17, the Canola Board Crush Margin calculated by ICE Futures Canada was at about C$86 above the […] Read more
LIVESTOCK-CME live cattle rebounds on cash, beef prices
CHICAGO, Feb 17 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures halted a two-day slide on Friday, sparked by improved wholesale beef values and better-than-expected cash prices, said traders. They said buy stops and technical buying furthered live cattle market advances. CME livestock markets will be closed on Monday in observance of the Presidents Day […] Read more