Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. wheat futures rose for a second day in a row on Tuesday on support from the deteriorating condition of the dormant crop and prospects for more damage from arctic temperatures across key growing areas, traders said. “The hard red winter wheat crop is in a tough spot right now,” Matt […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat up as temperatures drop
U.S. livestock: Bearish fundamentals sink CME hogs to near two-year low
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs fell to their lowest in almost two years on Tuesday, weighed down by sluggish wholesale pork demand and ample hog supplies, traders said. February closed 1.35 cents per pound lower at 78.575 cents and April finished down 1.45 cents, to 81.35 cents (all figures US$) On […] Read more
Peas back at historical spreads in Western Canada
CNS Canada — After two years of an abnormally large price spread between green and yellow peas in Western Canada, the relationship between the two crops is nearer normal levels. The yellow pea market has moved up a little in recent weeks, but the green market “is not that interesting,” said David Newman of Commodius […] Read more
Agrium to shed U.S. fertilizer terminals
Fertilizer giant Agrium’s planned exit from the purchase-for-resale business now includes a US$50 million deal for two of its U.S. fertilizer facilities. The Calgary company announced Tuesday it’s reached a deal to sell its Illinois anhydrous ammonia storage and distribution terminals at Niota and Meredosia — about 150 km west of Peoria and 95 km […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market looking forward
Auction markets across Western Canada will start off the New Year with fairly strong momentum. Newton’s first law of physics states that an object in motion will stay in motion until acted upon by an opposite force. U.S. fed cattle prices staged a miraculous recovery last week and it now appears we could see further […] Read more
Sask. to seek new animal protection agency
Saskatchewan’s agriculture ministry plans to seek other options for enforcement of animal protection laws, with three months before the current enforcer’s contract ends. The ministry confirmed Monday that the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has decided not to renew its contract for enforcement of the provincial Animal Protection Act. The […] Read more
Ont. oat, barley growers approve GFO entry
Ontario’s barley and oat growers have voted just over three-quarters in favour of representation by the province’s wheat, corn and soybean growers’ organization. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) confirmed Monday that eligible growers voted 77 per cent in favour of the move in a November vote conducted by the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission. GFO […] Read more
Prairie CWRS bids ease with U.S. futures
CNS Canada — Average cash bids for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat deteriorated slightly during the week ended Friday, as losses in the US futures weighed on values. CWRS prices were $2-$5 per tonne lower across the three Prairie provinces, with average values ranging from about $205 per tonne in north-central Saskatchewan to $219 […] Read more
U.S. allows imports of Irish beef, first EU shipments in 17 years
Dublin/Brussels | Reuters — Ireland has become the first European Union country allowed to export beef to the U.S., 17 years after Washington banned EU imports over BSE. This follows a successful inspection by U.S. authorities of Ireland’s beef production system completed in July, the Irish agriculture department said on Monday, after the ban on […] Read more
China frees prices of commodities, services in fresh reforms
Shanghai | Reuters — China has freed prices of 24 commodities and services, removing all price controls on agricultural products, among other reforms, its top economic planning agency said. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued a document last month, letting the market decide prices of tobacco leaves, the last agricultural product previously under […] Read more