Forecast probability of temperatures above, below and/or near normal for the period from July through September 2023, based on three equiprobable categories from 1991-2020 climatology. (Weather.gc.ca)

Dry, hot Canadian summer expected

Normal precip expected for Ontario, Quebec

MarketsFarm — Warmer-than-normal temperatures are expected across all of Canada for the next three months, with average precipitation in most of the agricultural areas of the Prairies. That’s according to the latest long-range seasonal forecast from Environment Canada, released Friday. The government department calls for a 50-70 per cent chance of above-normal temperatures from July […] Read more

Liberia-flagged bulker K Sukret, carrying grain under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, waits for inspection in the southern anchorage of Istanbul on May 17, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Mehmet Emin Caliskan)

EU seen weighing concession to Russian bank over Black Sea deal

New arm of ag bank could connect to SWIFT

Reuters — The European Union is considering a proposal for the Russian Agricultural Bank to set up a subsidiary to reconnect to the global financial network as a sop to Moscow, the Financial Times said on Monday. With the bank under sanctions, the move aims to safeguard the Black Sea grain deal that allows Ukraine […] Read more


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

U.S. grains: Soybeans rally on supply worries

Plantings weigh on corn; CBOT wheat also falls

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybean futures on Monday rallied for a second consecutive session, following a shockingly low plantings estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday. Corn futures eased at the start of this holiday-shortened week, remaining at a 2-1/2 year low, on choppy technical trading, traders […] Read more



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