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

U.S. grains: Soy soars after USDA slashes plantings estimate

CBOT corn dives, wheat follows; soyoil runs limit-up

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures surged about six per cent on Friday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported much lower-than-expected 2023 soy plantings and June 1 inventories, while corn futures tumbled on larger-than-expected acreage. Wheat futures fell in sympathy with corn, despite a smaller-than-expected quarterly wheat stocks figure. On the Chicago […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Saskatchewan drainage work rebates expanded to farmers

Channel clearing, drain maintenance program shares eligible costs

A program to help rural Saskatchewan municipalities and local authorities cover costs of channel clearing and maintaining drains for flood prevention will now expand to include individual landowners. The province’s Water Security Agency (WSA) said Friday its $1 million cost-share rebate program will expand its eligibility beyond RMs, conservation and development area (C+D) authorities and […] Read more

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

U.S. grains: Corn futures near three-week low

Soy mostly firm ahead of USDA reports; wheat follows corn lower

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures fell to their lowest in nearly three weeks on Thursday as rains bolstered production prospects in the Midwest and traders braced for key acreage and stocks data due Friday from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wheat followed corn lower, pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar, which tends to […] Read more


(Orchidpoet/iStock/Getty Images)

Rail interswitching expansion pilot clears Parliament

Grain handlers to press for plan to be made permanent

Last week’s passage of the 2023 federal budget starts a 90-day countdown toward an 18-month test of expanded interswitching on railways in the three Prairie provinces. Bill C-47, the government’s budget implementation bill — which was first read April 20 in the House of Commons and got third reading in the Senate and royal assent […] Read more

File photo of the Prince Rupert Grain Terminal. (Dan_prat/iStock/Getty Images)

West Coast longshore workers set to strike Saturday

Grain handling exempt from port work stoppage

Other than those who handle grains and oilseeds at port terminals and elevators, longshore workers at Canada’s West Coast ports are poised to walk off the job starting Saturday morning. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU Canada) on Wednesday morning served the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) with 72 hours’ strike notice, which […] Read more


CBOT December 2023 corn with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn, soy tumble on forecasts for much-needed rains

CBOT September wheat also lower

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures fell more than four per cent and soybeans more than two per cent on Wednesday, pressured by forecasts for beneficial rains in the Midwest where crops have struggled with dry conditions, analysts said. Wheat also declined, pressured by the expanding U.S. winter wheat harvest and a larger-than-expected Canadian […] Read more

An excavator works on Parliament Hill on Oct. 22, 2019. (Photo: Reuters/Patrick Doyle)

Adjournments put off ag bills to September at earliest

Farm fuel, supply management, produce trust bills on hold

Federal private members’ bills with potential significant weight for Canada’s grain, livestock, dairy, poultry, egg, fruit and vegetable producers are now on hold until mid-September at least. Members of the House of Commons voted June 21 to adjourn until Sept. 18, while the Senate did likewise June 22, to return Sept. 19. While the two […] Read more


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

U.S. grains: Corn, soy slide as Midwest rain outlook improves

Wheat drops on Russia production outlook

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. new-crop corn and soybean futures fell on Tuesday to their lowest in more than a week, pressured by forecasts for much-needed rains in the Midwest where crops have been deteriorating under dry conditions, analysts said. Wheat futures tumbled more than five per cent as worries subsided about political instability in […] Read more

Aerial view of a loop track featuring a train of CPKC’s newer “high-efficiency” grain hopper cars, at a G3 elevator near Moose Jaw, Sask. in December 2018. (CPR.ca)

Richardson elevators expanding to feed ‘high-efficiency’ trains

Eight sites along CPKC lines to get expanded rail car spots

Grain handler Richardson International plans to expand rail car spots at eight Prairie elevators on Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) lines as the railway gears up for longer trains with new higher-volume hopper cars. Winnipeg-based Richardson on Monday announced expanded rail car spots for its elevators at Lacombe, Carseland, Provost and Olds, Alta.; Estevan, Whitewood […] Read more