Producers with early contracts received good prices, especially for organic crops such as oats and flax. Photo: File/Greg Berg

Oats swinging higher, but rangebound

Futures no longer connected to cash market

As oat futures fluctuate on the Chicago Board of Trade, they remain rangebound, said Progressive Ag analyst Tom Lilja in Fargo, N.D. However, to Scott Shiels of Grain Millers Canada in Yorkton, Sask. there’s a disconnect between those futures and cash prices for oats.



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Grain Growers of Canada react to U.S. tariffs

GGC says tariffs put family-run farms, already under strain, at great risk

Canadian grain farmers warn of economic hardship from new US tariffs. The 25 per cent U.S. tariff threatens farm viability, increases American food costs and disrupts a $17B trade relationship.


FCC’s charts to consider in 2025

FCC’s charts to consider in 2025

On a per-acre basis, equipment costs have risen faster than farm revenue

Editor’s Note: Following are excerpts from a Jan. 15 blog post by the Economics branch of Farm Credit Canada. “As we start the new year amid new challenges, including slowing population growth and potential trade barriers, here are our top charts to help make sense of the economic environment for the agriculture and agri-food sector, […] Read more

Unverferth has released its 2520 grain cart, which has a 2,500-bushel capacity.

New 2,500-bushel grain cart from Unverferth

The new unit offers more capacity and sophisticated data gathering via new digital features

Unverferth has just introduced the new model 2520 grain cart, which pushes at the upper capacity limits of its cart line with a 2,500-bushel load rating. It’s the biggest cart the brand has ever built. Getting grain out of the cart won’t take more than about two and a half minutes with the cart’s pivoting […] Read more


“But we lost a lot of acres… which suggests to me that some organic guys have let some of their organics land go. And they are growing canola on the side,” says Laura Telford. Photo: Greg Berg

ICE Canada Weekly: Canola set to climb higher

Supplies getting tighter

Canola has been on something of a tear for about a month with increases in 16 of its last 20 sessions on the Intercontinental Exchange as of Feb. 12. Despite a great amount of political chaos surrounding all of the markets, the Canadian oilseed is poised to climb higher for the rest of February, said broker Tony Tryhuk of RBC Dominion Securities in Winnipeg, Man.

Viterra’s Coulter Avenue elevator in Winnipeg on Jan. 22.

Editor’s Rant: Canadian graffiti

The government's conditions for a Bunge/Viterra marriage left much to be desired

I’ve got to admit, I’ve never fully understood the geometry behind federal regulators’ decisions on which assets a company has to sell in exchange for clearance on a big merger or takeover. There may well have been a solid reason why, after Husky sold off its retail gas stations in 2022, our neighbourhood wound up […] Read more


Grain storage and handling systems need periodic maintenance to keep them in top condition — and to prevent in-season breakdowns.

Don’t forget year-end grain handling equipment maintenance

Clean up any grain spills and check leg and auger bearings for excessive wear

Many growers will be hauling grain to local terminals over the winter, which means they’ll be in and out of the bin yard many times — making it a good time for off-season inspections on their grain handling equipment. While it’s easy to remember to pull the big machines into the shop for that, don’t […] Read more