Ottawa/Brussels | Reuters — The European Union has convinced Canada to include a new way of settling investor claims in their trade deal, making it more likely that it will be passed and putting the U.S. under pressure to accept the same terms. The two sides wrapped up negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade […] Read more
Canada, EU finally settle trade deal after opposition
U.S. grains: Corn sags for fifth straight session on lacklustre demand
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn futures fell on Monday for a fifth straight session, retreating from early advances as concerns about weak demand pressured the market, traders said. Soybean futures sagged on larger-than-expected deliveries against futures while wheat futures were mostly higher. At the CBOT, the most active May corn contract […] Read more
Prairie spring wheat bids drop as loonie rises
CNS Canada –– Cash spring wheat bids across Western Canada moved lower during the week ended Friday, as the strengthening Canadian dollar cut into basis levels. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat prices were down by about $5-$7 per tonne over the course of the week, according to price quotes from a cross-section of […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle dip while awaiting cash prices
Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures posted modest losses on Friday, weighed down by profit-taking while waiting for market-ready, or cash, cattle to change hands later on Friday, traders said. Beginning on Monday, CME Globex livestock futures and options hours will be revised to 8:30 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. CT Monday […] Read more
U.S. grains: Hefty supply pushes soy to 10-week low
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell on Friday, with the nearby contract touching its lowest level in more than 10 weeks, under pressure from hefty global supplies, while soybean meal futures approached a six-year low. Expanding inventories and concerns about sluggish demand also pushed front-month corn futures to their lowest price in more […] Read more
Farmers return to vegetable patch as currency slumps
Reuters — Canadian farmers are cashing in on the highest vegetable prices in years, helped by the country’s weak currency and soaring costs of U.S. imports that have made them unexpected winners in a bearish commodity world. Soft wheat and canola prices may diminish Canadian farm incomes by nine per cent this year. But it […] Read more
Monarch population rebounds, still well off highs
Austin, Tex. | Reuters — North America’s monarch butterflies are on a rebound and the number of the plucky orange and black creatures, which gather in Mexico before flying north to Canada, could soon stand at around 150 million, a new survey showed on Feb. 26. The survey from a scientist at Natural Resources Defense […] Read more
Gavilon names former ADM exec as CEO in management reshuffle
Reuters — Gavilon LLC has hired a former executive from rival Archer Daniels Midland to take the helm following a big reshuffle at Gavilon, a major U.S. grain merchant, in the latest sign that the commodities rout is upending global merchants. In a statement, the company, owned by Japanese trading house Marubeni, named Lewis Batchelder […] Read more
Australia to hike tax on ‘backpacker’ workers
Sydney | Reuters — Australia is set to increase taxes on foreign travellers who work in the country, raising 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 A$2.27 billion (C$2.19 billion) […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cash price outlook boosts CME live cattle
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts climbed on Thursday, propelled by anticipation of firm cash prices by Friday amid improved wholesale beef demand, traders said. The February contract, which will expire on Monday, closed up 0.9 cent/lb. to 137.875 cents (all figures US$). April ended 1.2 cents higher at 137.35 cents. […] Read more
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