Photo: Greg Berg

Analysts expect additional acres for canola, wheat

StatCan estimates due out Wednesday

MarketsFarm — If traders and analysts are correct with their estimates, there will be slightly more wheat and canola acres seeded in Canada this year compared to 2022. Statistics Canada (StatCan) will release its first survey-based acreage estimates for the 2023-24 marketing year on April 26. Other than drier and cooler conditions in southern Manitoba, […] Read more

CBOT July 2023 corn with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn hits eight-month low

Soybeans, wheat at one-month low

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn futures slumped on Monday to an eight-month low after the government announced that China canceled some purchases of U.S. supplies of the grain. The cancellations, which also weighed on wheat and soybean futures that hit one-month lows on Monday, highlighted concerns about weak demand for U.S. […] Read more


An adult lygus bug. (Photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Matador, Voliam insecticides back in ‘limited’ release

Revised labels prohibit feeding, foraging of treated crops

Syngenta Canada no longer plans to keep its lambda-cyhalothrin insecticide products off the market in Western Canada this year — but it’s planning to have a smaller supply. The crop chem and seed company announced Friday it will have a “limited amount” of its lambda-cy-based products Matador 120EC and Voliam Xpress available in the West […] Read more

CBOT July 2023 soybeans with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Cheap Brazilian soybeans destined for U.S.

U.S. weather, Ukrainian exports also in focus

Mexico City | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures closed the week down on Friday, extending losses as cheap Brazilian beans were being snatched up by the U.S., the second-largest soy producing country in the world. A drop in prices due to abundant local supplies and cooling demand have made Brazil an attractive origin for soybeans, […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Quiet times appear to be ahead

Significant weather event would maybe move prices

MarketsFarm — As feed grain prices on the Canadian Prairies remain relatively stable, the market appear to be “moving to a quiet summer,” according to Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. “Demand remains neutral to weak, and farmers are holding on to their grain that’s left in the bin,” Motz explained, noting feedlots […] Read more

CBOT July 2023 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago grains down on export data, weather

EU transit plan, Black Sea inspections temper Ukraine fears

Reuters — Chicago grains closed lower Thursday on lower-than-expected U.S. soybean export sales data, and favourable weather that would allow for planting to accelerate in the Midwest farm belt. Grains prices were also impacted by crude oil falling. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said soybean weekly export sales totalled 103,000 tonnes, below forecasts. “Export sales […] Read more


Callum Morrison taking soil moisture readings using a soil moisture probe in one of the long-term cover crop research plots at the University of Manitoba’s Ian N. Morrison Research Farm in Carman, Man. These plots, along with plots at the University of Manitoba’s Glenlea Research Station in Glenlea, Man., are part of a field trial that has a four-year rotation with cover crops and the same four-year rotation without cover crops.

Cover cropping on the Prairies

A farmer survey shows many producers are growing cover crops successfully, but more agronomic knowledge and supports are needed

Climatic constraints such as a short growing season or too little fall moisture are often given as reasons why cover cropping may not be a great fit for the Canadian Prairies. A recent farmer survey, though, shows many western Canadian producers are making cover crops work, and are benefitting in ways you may not have […] Read more

CBOT May 2023 soft red winter wheat with 20-day moving average, MGEX May 2023 hard red spring wheat (yellow line, left column) and K.C. May 2023 hard red winter wheat (orange line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago futures dip as Ukraine inspections resume

Planting windows seen in U.S. despite rain forecasts

Mexico City | Reuters — Chicago grains and soy futures closed lower on Wednesday after inspections of ships carrying Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea resumed, and crude oil’s dip pressured prices down. A Ukrainian official said that “ship inspections are being resumed, despite the RF’s (Russian Federation’s) attempts to disrupt the agreement.” Kyiv faces […] Read more



CBOT May 2023 soft red winter wheat with 20-day moving average, MGEX May 2023 hard red spring wheat (yellow line) and K.C. May 2023 hard red winter wheat (orange line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago grains flat or higher on Ukraine concerns

Rains expected to cause U.S. planting delays

Mexico City | Reuters — Chicago grain and soy futures closed nearly flat or higher on Tuesday as traders assessed the impact of several countries banning Ukrainian grain, and the future of a Black Sea grains deal remained in doubt. Markets were also eying expected rains in the U.S. that would likely slow planting schedules. […] Read more