After some of my recent articles (see links at the right hand column of your screen) talking about what is happening around the world in primary agricultural production — which countries are leading the way and who we in Western Canada are going to have to compete against in the world markets — I have had […] Read more
Make sure your farm is competitive
Prairie farmers are going to have to stay on the ball to remain profitable in today’s markets
Staying competitive in a new world
Production is up in the Former Soviet Union and South America. Are you ready?
Up until about the last decade the advantage North American farmers had over those in Russia, Ukraine and South America was the use of machinery, technology, genetics and agronomics to produce higher yields. This kept per acre costs low enough to generate profits. Over the last 10 years farming in these other regions has caught […] Read more
Imports and exports by the numbers
Russia is rising and South American beans are finding easier pathways to the ports
Changes to grain handling and transportation infrastructure in two key regions of the world will impact Canada’s competitiveness. These areas are the Black Sea region and South America. Russia’s overall grain production (wheat, barley and corn) has grown 70 per cent in the last 10 years to 94.5 million tonnes. Exports have had their ups […] Read more
World events will change prices
In the first of a two-part series, Brian Wittal looks at market forces
Looking out the window at -20 C and eight inches of snow I can hear that old proverb repeating in my head. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” I am going to take some creative license with this saying and replace the word “nice” with the word “informative,” in hopes […] Read more
A post-long-harvest wrap up
Some marketing advice in the wake of this year’s drawn out nightmare of a harvest
I truly hope that by the time you are reading this your harvest has been completed. If not, a spring harvest could bring financial challenges that you’ll need to address to ensure your farm doesn’t end up in undue financial stress because of lost income or a deferred, if any, crop insurance payment in spring. […] Read more
Woulda, shoulda, coulda
Market risk strategies can lower the risk of pre-pricing grain early in the year
You can’t evaluate your grain marketing decisions until much later in the year, when you can look back to see what happened in the markets. What can you do to make it easier to make these decisions? First, knowing your costs of production is likely the most important aspect to helping you make good marketing […] Read more
Making those tough decisions
Agronomy, marketing, economics. Farmers have many decisions to make during the year
Back in the beginning of this growing year, it was an early and warm spring season. Many farmers started seeding early, aware that they were taking on the risk of a frost and having to reseed. That gamble paid off for the majority of farmers who took the risk, as the weather stayed warm and […] Read more
Bumper crops bring on the bears
World events and good world production are putting pressure on grain prices
Several world events are underway that could impact markets. The U.S. Federal Reserve is still saying it will raise interest rates this fall. This would further depress the Canadian dollar, which should help on the price competitive side of things when we’re selling our grains into world markets. Earlier this summer, the effects of Brexit […] Read more
The perfect (market) storm is upon us
Markets are roiling for many different reasons. Will you survive the ultimate storm?
In the movie The Perfect Storm, three different storm cells came together to create the a storm that George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and the rest of the crew didn’t stand a chance against. I can see something of a version of that happening in the grain markets right now. Storm 1: Weather The uncertainty as […] Read more
Use your knowledge to your advantage
You know the quality of your grain. Use your knowledge to maximize profits
Pay attention to what you are seeing and hearing at the elevator and from the neighbours in regards to the grade and quality of grain coming off combines this fall. This will help you understand what’s out there and where your production fits into the big picture. Is your quality and protein above or below […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
