CBOT July 2021 soybeans (candlesticks) with 20- and 50-day moving averages (yellow and green lines) and CME July 2021 crude palm oil (purple line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybean futures fall, corn firm ahead of USDA report

CBOT, MGEX July wheats down; K.C. wheat up

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures dropped 1.2 per cent on Wednesday, pressured by a round of profit-taking and weakness in the cash market, traders said. Wheat futures also were mostly lower after rain in the northern U.S. Plains eased some concerns about parched soils limiting the size of the crop. Corn futures were […] Read more

CBOT July 2021 soybeans (candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (dark green line) and ICE July 2021 canola (yellow line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Midwest forecast supports gains in soy, corn

CBOT wheat up, MGEX wheat down

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures rose on Tuesday after a government report showed that the condition of crops was worse than expected as a heat wave hit the U.S. Midwest. “Yesterday’s Crop Progress report provided plenty of fodder for the bulls,” Matt Zeller, director of market information at StoneX, said in […] Read more


Big Canada thistle plants can spell trouble in the combine, especially when there are large patches of them.

Fall herbicide application timing in canola

To control perennial weeds in canola, there are benefits to both pre- and post-harvest control options — the deciding factor could be tied to your goals

When deciding between a pre-harvest or post-harvest spray application to control tough perennial weeds, there are always some key considerations for farmers. The extent of the weed problem and harvest timing are important ones, of course, but other factors such as herbicide cost and killing frost also play into the decision. To control a weed […] Read more

Nutrien’s potash facility at Vanscoy, Sask. (Nutrien.com)

Nutrien to boost potash output on global demand

Reuters — Fertilizer company Nutrien said Monday it expects to increase potash production by about half a million tonnes in the second half of the year compared to earlier expectations, due to strong global demand. As crop prices rise, farmers have greater incentive to use fertilizer and maximize yields, boosting potash demand and spurring a […] Read more


CBOT July 2021 corn (candlesticks) with CBOT July 2021 wheat (yellow line) and MGEX July 2021 spring wheat (orange line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn, soybeans mixed as traders eye weather

MGEX wheat down off highs on Prairie rains

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures ended mixed on Monday, with old-crop contracts easing on some profit taking while new-crop contracts rose on concerns that hot and dry conditions in key growing areas of the U.S. Midwest could threaten crops as they pass through key stages of development, traders said. “Forecasters expect […] Read more



CBOT July 2021 corn with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Weather risk adds premium to corn, soy, wheat

Brazil drought set to cut corn crop, hamper river logistics

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn, soybean and wheat futures gained on Friday as hot, dry conditions in parts of the U.S. Midwest threatened yield potential at a time of tight global supply. The most-active corn contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) ended 20-3/4 cents higher at $6.82-3/4 per bushel, gaining four per […] Read more

CBOT July 2021 soybeans (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (yellow, gold, green lines). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn ease on inflation fears

Stronger U.S. dollar also pressures prices

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean and corn futures eased on Thursday, pressured by a firming dollar and fears of food price inflation, though concerns of hot, dry weather in growing areas offered support, traders said. The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade fell 13-1/4 cents to $15.49-1/4 per bushel, while new-crop […] Read more


To hit up problem weeds, such as herbicide-resistant kochia (far left photo), Alberta farmer Dallas Vert applies a post-harvest weed control treatment of Valtera. Last year, Saskatchewan farmer Dallas Leduc’s post-harvest application of Roundup ProActive 360 tank mixed with four ounces of 2,4-D worked well on Canada thistle (middle photo) and narrow-leaved hawk’s beard (right) on his farm.

Zap troublesome weeds in the fall

Whether it works best pre- or post-harvest depends on several factors

A sampling of western Canadian producers, when asked about their fall weed control measures, have most generally agreed that either a pre- or post-harvest herbicide application is a valuable management tool. Most of the farmers contacted leaned toward a post-harvest treatment with a glyphosate product, although there are a number of caveats that come into […] Read more