Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures surged 5.2 per cent to nearly a six-month high on Monday on concerns about a slowdown in exports from Russia and other countries in the Black Sea region. Soybean and corn futures were close to unchanged, although most contracts rose slightly after fluctuating between positive and negative territory […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat jumps on Black Sea woes, short-covering
Sask. to raise brand inspection, registration fees
The new not-for-profit agency running Saskatchewan’s brand inspection, registry and livestock dealer licensing services is set to boost its fees in the new year. Livestock Services Corp. of Saskatchewan (LSS) will raise its brand inspection fee by 75 cents per animal effective Jan. 2, to $2.75. LSS’ fee for registering or renewing a brand will […] Read more
Russia says oil-for-goods deal with Iran could be sealed soon
Moscow | Reuters — Russia hopes a deal to supply grain and equipment to Iran in return for oil can be reached soon, Russia’s Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said Sunday. The deal “will affect not only grain, there are broad lists of goods… We expect that (a deal) could be reached in the near future,” […] Read more
Dry spell to create ideal conditions for Argentine grains
Buenos Aires | Reuters — Heavy rains during the weekend will be followed by a dry spell across much of Argentina’s grains belt, creating ideal growing conditions for the 2014-15 corn and soy crop, a local meteorologist said on Monday. German Heinzenknecht, meteorologist with the (CCA) Applied Climatology Consultancy, said about 50 millimetres fell across […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle surge limit-up
Chicago | Reuters — Lightly traded Chicago Mercantile Exchange feeder cattle contracts on Monday closed up the maximum three-cents-per-pound daily price limit fuelled by live cattle futures’ rebound, traders said. Fund buying and buy stops contributed to CME feeder cattle market advances, they said. January ended at 234.075 cents and March at 233.2 cents (all […] Read more
Grain freight minimums beneficial, but not seen as best solution
CNS Canada –– The Canadian government’s decision to extend its order-in-council requiring a minimum tonnage of grain shipped by the two major railways each week will benefit the ag industry — but it’s not the best solution out there, according to some participants. “Extending the minimum volume requirements through the coming winter and spring season […] Read more
CWRS wheat bids rise with U.S. futures
CNS Canada — Average cash bids for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat moved higher during the week ended Friday, as a rally in the U.S. futures provided some support. In Manitoba, the average CWRS price rose to $236 per tonne, from $232 per tonne the previous week. Average gains of $5 to $10 per […] Read more
Mandatory minimum grain handle extended
A new order-in-council will extend the federal government’s mandatory minimum weekly grain handle for Canada’s big two railways through March, just as the previous order expires. Federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on Saturday announced the mandatory minimums, which expired Saturday, are extended until March 28, 2015. The new order, however, adjusts the […] Read more
Foreign ‘land grabs’ seeing redrawing global farmland ownership map
Rome | Thomson Reuters Foundation — A handful of wealthy countries are responsible for most international farmland acquisitions — what some critics term “land grabs” — in a trend that is redrawing the global map of land ownership, a new study has found. China, the U.S., Britain, Germany, Singapore and a small group of other […] Read more
Drop in oil values a double-edged sword for Canadian ag
CNS Canada — As oil prices plunge across North America, the impact on Canadian farmers is starting to be felt in several conflicting, but noticeable ways, according to Prairie farm leaders and market-watchers. As of Friday afternoon the price of oil had fallen to just above C$66 a barrel, with some analysts predicting it would […] Read more