CNS Canada — Corn prices in Manitoba may not be setting any records these days but they’re still likely high enough to spur an increase in the amount of corn planted this year, according to an industry watcher. “I would not all be surprised to see a 20 per cent increase. The value of corn […] Read more
Corn acres seen rising in Manitoba
U.S. grains: Wheat falls as weather improves
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures fell on Thursday to their lowest in nearly two weeks, turning lower after a weather forecast predicted that temperatures in the U.S. Plains will not be as cold as previously thought, traders said. Soybeans closed firmer, supported by weakness in the dollar that investors hoped would spur export […] Read more
Worker shortfall a three per cent hit for farms: Study
Having the Canadian economy’s highest job vacancy rate has cost the country’s primary ag sector three per cent of its value, new research shows. The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council on Tuesday released labour market information (LMI) research which, based on data for 2014, pegged primary agriculture’s annual farm cash receipt losses at $1.5 billion, […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle end firm, but off recent peak
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished moderately higher on Wednesday as the steep climb in wholesale beef values fueled expectations for strong cash prices by Friday, traders said. Futures hit a 4-1/2-month peak but pared gains on profit-taking and positioning ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly Cattle on […] Read more
Australia, Indonesia renew push for trade deal
Sydney | Reuters — Australia and Indonesia on Wednesday said they would formally resume long-stalled negotiations aimed at sealing a bilateral trade agreement between the often uneasy neighbours within 18 months. Australian Trade Minister Steven Ciobo and Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong said in a joint statement talks would resume in May after a […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Canola to keep support going forward
CNS Canada — The ICE Futures Canada canola market rose over the week ended Wednesday. A lack of farmer selling combined with currency issues and action in the soy market to give the market a boost. One trader said the declining open interest caused him to think funds were also liquidating some of their long […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Trade now watching weather
CNS Canada — Soybean and corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade have posted solid gains over the past two weeks, but the rally may run out of steam while attention in the markets shifts to spring weather patterns. “We’ve had a very strong rally since late February,” said Rich Feltes, vice-president of research […] Read more
Cuban export opportunities eyed for U.S. farmers
Lima | Reuters –– U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said Tuesday that farm officials want to lay the groundwork so U.S. agricultural exporters can seize new opportunities in Cuba if the trade embargo on the country is lifted. The normalization of trade relations would allow U.S. farmers to use lower transportation costs to edge […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat falls on poor exports
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures fell for the second straight day on Wednesday on pressure from light export demand and some easing concerns about weather damage to the developing U.S. crop, traders said. Corn futures eased on some mild technical sales while soybeans closed in positive territory, turning higher late […] Read more
Australia dumps ‘backpacker tax’ over farm, export concerns
Sydney | Reuters — Australia on Wednesday walked back from a planned tax hike on foreign travellers who work in the country, following concerns from farmers that their supply of “backpacker labour” at harvest times may dry up and undermine Australia’s ambitions of being Asia’s delicatessen. Australian fruit exports are set to hit a record […] Read more
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