(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Funds add to short position in canola, move to net long in soy

MarketsFarm — The net managed money short position in canola rose slightly in late April, while soybean speculators covered some of their bearish bets, according to the latest commitment of traders (CoT) report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The net managed money short position in ICE Futures canola came in Tuesday at […] Read more


CBOT July 2020 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans slide on renewed trade tensions with China

Corn, wheat also fall on heightened trade tensions

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures declined on Friday as renewed concern about trade tensions between the United States and China overshadowed fresh export sales to the world’s largest soybean consumer. Corn and wheat futures also fell on uncertain feed demand and good weather across much of the U.S. Midwest that signaled another strong […] Read more

Beef and crop information updates for May 1st

The Beef Cattle Research Council posted a blog today, which provides beef producers links to about three dozen different websites offering relevant and useful information on everything from feeding to farm management to mental health. Check it out at: http://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/resources-for-beef-producers-during-market-disruptions/ Recognizing there is certainly nothing NORMAL with all the life changes surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, […] Read more


Mycorrhizal linkage to crop plants in normal soils have been shown to supply phosphate, copper and zinc to growing crops.

Facts about phosphorus you should know

Highly-manured soils, wet growing conditions and lodging in cereal crops

Phosphorus or phosphate (P) is the most complex of the big four macronutrients in crop production. When you buy phosphate fertilizer, you are actually buying P2O5 the oxidized version, which is 62 parts actual P and 80 parts oxygen. Your actual P is only 43 per cent by weight. The phosphate in all soils is […] Read more

CBOT July 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans up on export demand, month-end position-squaring

Strong weekly U.S. export sales data also supports corn, wheat

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose more than two per cent on Thursday, the biggest single-day advance in a month, on strong weekly export sales and news of fresh demand from top global soy buyer China, analysts said. Corn futures firmed for a second day on strong export sales and signs the worst […] Read more


Fusarium head blight.

Cereal diseases to watch in 2020

Tan spot, septoria complex, scald, FHB and root rots top the list. What’s the outlook for your region?

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is predicting a slight increase in seeded acreage of wheat in 2020. Difficult spring planting conditions ran the gamut across the Prairies in 2019 from limited to excess moisture; however, moisture levels going into 2020 look adequate, with projected cool, dry conditions. Regardless, producers should start the season armed with a […] Read more

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CBOT weekly outlook: Prices soft on lack of demand

MarketsFarm — Technical buying was a supportive factor on the Chicago Board of Trade in late April, but commodity futures were broadly lower due to a lack of export activity. However, China reportedly remains committed to fulfilling its end of its Phase One trade agreement with the United States. Although soybean futures have been near […] Read more


CBOT July 2020 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soy rises on stronger Brazilian currency

Wheat pressured by rain relief across Europe, export lull

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures rose on Wednesday as plans to ease lockdown measures and a move by U.S. President Donald Trump to keep meat factories open tempered fears about demand destruction caused by the coronavirus epidemic. Wheat futures slid, hitting a one-month low as rains in Europe and the Black […] Read more

CBOT July 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Choppy markets settle lower as demand destruction persists

Corn, soybeans down slightly as traders square positions

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures fell slightly on Tuesday as traders squared positions at month-end. A faster-than-average U.S. seeding pace in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Monday crop conditions report pressured corn futures, while traders noted the condition of U.S. winter wheat was not as good as expected. Demand for […] Read more