Every few years I like to revisit the topic of perfect Christmas holiday weather. Each year that I have looked at this, December has started out warm and dry with little snow cover across large parts of the southern Prairies. And what do we see this year? A warm start to December with below average […] Read more
News
Global markets watch Argentina’s export taxes
SASKATOON — Michael Cordonnier did a double take after reading that Argentina’s export taxes are heading higher. After all, newly elected president Javier Milei had campaigned on a platform that included slashing those very same taxes. “He’s doing exactly the opposite of what he promised 10 minutes ago,” said the publisher of the Soybean and […] Read more
Canadian agricultural exports to U.S. surpass imports
SASKATOON — Canada has built a sizable agricultural trade balance surplus with the United States. The balance totalled $18.3 billion in 2022, up from $1.8 billion in 1993. “While the trade balance has fluctuated over the past 30 years, Canada consistently maintained a positive trade balance with the U.S. when it comes to agriculture, agri-food […] Read more
Alta. residents to appeal biodigester approval
CALGARY — The fight by High River, Alta., and area residents against a proposed $70 million biodigester will continue despite the Alberta government’s approval of the project. Residents opposed plan to appeal the decision to the provincial Environmental Appeals Board, said Benita Estes, whose rural home in Foothills County is about 200 metres from the […] Read more
Ag Canada boosts non-durum wheat export estimate
SASKATOON — Agriculture Canada has dramatically increased its 2023-24 non-durum wheat export estimate in its latest supply and demand report. “Exports are raised 11 percent from last month’s report to 20 million tonnes, as Canadian wheat continues to move swiftly to international markets,” it said in its Dec. 15 report. That is an extra two […] Read more
Flax price stable as production woes continue
SASKATOON — Global flax production problems are raising prices in the European market but not yet in Canada. Oil World estimates global production at 2.94 million tonnes, a 21 percent reduction from the previous year. “Deteriorating profit margins induced farmers not only in Canada but also in Russia and Kazakhstan to shift to more lucrative […] Read more
Carbon intensity is ‘game changer’
SASKATOON — Bob Larocque had one takeaway from his presentation at Canola Week 2023. “Remember carbon intensity because that’s the game changer,” said the president of the Canadian Fuels Association. It is a factor that will help determine the value of canola when large volumes of the crop are being consumed by the renewable diesel […] Read more
CN acquires Iowa Northern Railway
Canadian National Railway’s acquisition of Iowa Northern Railway won’t likely shake up the grain shipping industry in Canada. “I cannot see any advantage to the Canadian grain trade in this purchase,” said Mark Hemmes, of Quorum Corp., Canada’s grain monitor. CN’s acquisition of the Waterloo, Iowa., rail company was announced Dec. 6 and is pending […] Read more
U.S. gradually losing share of world markets
American corn, soybean and wheat exports all show declines as crop production ramps up in other growing regions
SASKATOON — The United States is getting beaten up in crop export markets that it once dominated, says an analyst. Brazil is body-slamming the U.S. in corn and soybean markets while Russia is pummeling it in the wheat market, DTN lead analyst Todd Hultman told delegates attending the company’s 2023 Virtual Ag Summit. “Each year […] Read more
Study shows Sask. growers sequester more carbon than others
REGINA — A study analyzing the carbon footprint of five key crops found Saskatchewan’s emissions are far lower than other leading producers. The Global Institute for Food Security released the results of its two-part study on canola, wheat, durum, field peas and lentils last week. The study was carried out with the provincial government. Olufunke […] Read more
