ICE November 2023 canola with 20- and 50-day moving averages and January 2024 canola (black line). (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Upside seen for canola prices

'Aggressive manipulation' seen as a factor

MarketsFarm — Early gains were followed by late losses on ICE Futures’ canola market during the week ended Wednesday. The November canola contract began the week at $704.60 per tonne before rising up to $725.80/tonne on Monday, then ending the week at $711.70. The January contract went in similar directions, starting at $710.10/tonne before moving […] Read more

Here is a soil core laid out for sampling. Soil samples collected for soil nutrient analyses should be placed in breathable bags. In this picture, soil moisture samples were being collected and placed in stainless steel containers to precisely determine soil moisture content.

The importance of soil testing after a season of drought

Develop sound, economical fertilizer plans for each crop and field

In my last article, I discussed concerns of herbicide residue carry-over after a season of drought. In this article, I will discuss the importance of soil testing for plant-available nutrients after a drier-than-normal growing season. Many farmers in the southern Prairies had below normal growing season rainfall, while some had almost no rain. The result […] Read more


(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Fund short position grows in canola

Funds shift to net short in CBOT soybeans

MarketsFarm — The managed money net short position in ICE canola futures continued to grow in early October as speculators liquidated long positions and put on new shorts, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As of Oct. 10, the net managed-money short position in canola […] Read more

Robert Misko with his children and grandchildren. From left to right: Courtney Misko, Robert Misko, Brittany Busch, Robbie Misko, Jaxon Busch (green shirt) and Torin Busch (blue shirt). Missing is Leifa Misko.

Lifelong learning on the Misko farm

Prairie Farms: Knowledge and efficiency are key for this Manitoba farm operation

The Prairie Farms feature is an ongoing series that highlights western Canadian producers and their farm operations. These producer and farm profiles will share the strategies, tips and experiences that have helped Prairie farmers be successful. Along with crop production strategies, this Q-and-A series will look at the personalities and lifestyles of farmers across Western […] Read more


A strip tiller in action on a Farming Smarter field near Lethbridge, Alta.

Let’s talk strip tillage

An Alberta farmer shares his experiences with the system that provides a middle ground between full till and no till

John Kolk’s farm near Enchant in southern Alberta, like many others in his area, sits on light, sandy loam soil. That can be a problem come planting time when strong chinook winds roll down from the Rockies as they typically do in the spring. Kolk says the combination of hard-blowing winds and sand that’s whipped […] Read more

ICE November 2023 canola with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola futures looking for bottom

Crushing pace remains aggressive

MarketsFarm — ICE Futures canola contracts fell to their lowest levels in three and a half months during the week ended Wednesday, taking some direction from Chicago soyoil as harvest activity winds down across the Prairies. Losses in other markets, including Malaysian palm oil and European rapeseed futures, added to the declines in canola. “Everybody […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Managed money fund traders increase bearish canola bets

Funds still net long in CBOT soybeans

MarketsFarm — The managed money net short position in ICE Futures canola grew to its largest level in three and a half months in early October on a combination of long liquidation and new bearish bets going on the books, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission […] Read more

ICE November 2023 canola with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola looking for a spark

Recent declines in crude oil, diesel seen as bearish

MarketsFarm — The ICE Futures canola market hit its lowest levels in three months on the last trading day of September but has since uncovered some support in the first days of October. Canola “has found a level where it’s stabilized, but there’s not a lot of life right now,” said Ken Ball of PI […] Read more


(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Fund net short position grows in canola

Net long in CBOT soybeans seen declining

MarketsFarm — The managed money net short position in the ICE Futures canola market more than doubled during the week ended Tuesday on a combination of long liquidation and new bearish bets going on the books, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As of Sept. […] Read more

ICE November 2023 canola with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola ‘due for a bounce’

Weather co-operating, mostly, for Prairie harvesting

MarketsFarm — A month-long decline of ICE Futures canola prices, which saw the oilseed lose $110 per tonne, came to an end and was followed by a bounce-back. While the price of the November canola contract still declined by $10/tonne to $726.10 during the week ended Wednesday, it hit its lowest price since the end […] Read more