When forecasting markets, it is easy to forget to take our noses out of supply and demand reports and look around for policy developments that could alter market dynamics. One such development jumped up and bit commodity markets Nov. 12 when China reported that inflation rose to 4.4 percent in October, the highest in more […] Read more
News
Gov’t policies affect market forecast
No problems expected in hog traceability debut
LETHBRIDGE – The first phase of Alberta’s hog traceability system is expected to be relatively hassle free because of its use of the province’s livestock transport manifest program. Ron Axelson, who was hired to develop the system, says using transport manifests means the paperwork will be no different from what most producers are using now. […] Read more
Little insect big problem in B.C.
KELOWNA, B.C. – The best agricultural minds in British Columbia are having a war council Nov. 18 to plan how to combat an invading enemy less than a centimetre long. The best they can hope for is a stalemate, to keep the spotted wing drosophila, (SWD) which was first spotted in B.C. last year, from […] Read more
Staff, volunteers keep the Royal a regal affair
TORONTO – Working the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is more than a job for most. For Dominic Rodriguez, who works as a janitor at the event, the annual event reminds him of his grandparents’ farm in Portugal. “It’s a nice show. I like it the best. I can smell the cows and I can smell […] Read more
Canfax Report – for Nov. 18, 2010
The Canfax weighted average steer price was $93.34 per hundredweight, down 58 cents, and the heifer price was $92.67, down 78 cents. Volume sold was 16,897 head, up three percent from the week before and up 33 percent from last year. The cash to futures basis widened to -$6.45 from -$4.13 the previous week. Fed […] Read more
Countries signal readiness to finish trade talks
Not for the first time, World Trade Organization director general Pascal Lamy thinks the world is signaling that it is determined to complete a new global trade deal soon. Last weekend at meetings of world leaders in Seoul, South Korea, and Yokohama, Japan, leaders from both the G20 group of developed and developing countries and […] Read more
New programs reward producers for good environmental practices
EDMONTON – Slightly less than $6 million in federal and provincial money will help develop more agricultural offset programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the farm. The new programs will join 10 existing agricultural offset programs in which farmers can trade their improved agricultural practices for carbon credits and cash. Len Kryzanowski of Alberta […] Read more
4-H members gain employment skills through REAL program
TORONTO – Giving youth real world job skills is the goal of a new 4-H project. Rural Employment and Life Skills (REAL) offers members certificates in programs ranging from handling food safely to recognizing hazardous materials. “We saw value in giving members hands-on usable skills they could go somewhere with in terms of employment,” said […] Read more
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Nov. 18, 2010
Cash hog prices in the United States rose last week as market ready numbers began to decline seasonally. The usual early fall supply increase was exacerbated by strong weight gains this year. The belief that pork exports are rising also supported hog bids. Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs delivered to plants rose to $48 to $48.50 […] Read more
Alberta developing price insurance program for hogs
LETHBRIDGE – A hog price insurance program should be available to Alberta pork producers next spring. Administered by Alberta Financial Services Corporation, the province plans to offer a program similar to what is available to cattle producers, said Ron Geitz of Alberta Agriculture. The program is customized for the Alberta hog market and will allow […] Read more
