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Klassen: Feeder market scaling fresh heights

Heifer retention expected in U.S. this spring

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $5 to as much as $10 higher. Replacements in the 650- to 800-lb. category were up $6-$12; calves under 650 lbs. were relatively unchanged although volumes were limited. Lightweight calves were hard to come by last week. Weather may have been a factor. Many factors contributed […] Read more

CBOT May 2023 soft red winter wheat with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Wheat, corn rally from multi-month lows

Ukraine corridor talks eyed

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat and corn futures rose on Tuesday, rebounding from multi-month lows set last week, as Wall Street equity markets turned higher and signs of fresh grain export demand emerged, analysts said. Uncertainty about talks to extend a wartime grain export corridor from Ukraine lent support. Soybean futures posted smaller advances […] Read more


CME April 2023 live cattle with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle, hogs decline amid demand worries

April feeder cattle lowest since March 3

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange livestock markets ended lower again on Tuesday, with cattle and hog futures easing on demand concerns, analysts said. Front-month feeder cattle futures hit their lowest price since March 3, extending a retreat from a 2015 high reached last week. Front-month live cattle, meanwhile, touched a three-low on Monday. […] Read more

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks at the evening reception at the Advancing Women in Agriculture conference in Calgary on March 13, 2023. (Jessika Guse photo)

AWC 2023: Federal ag minister inspired by farm women’s progress

Don't wait to be asked to participate, Bibeau tells AWC West

Calgary — Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau drew applause from delegates attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture (AWC) conference here this week as she acknowledged their efforts for paving her path into politics. Bibeau told delegates attending the 10th annual conference she’s never felt like she’s had to fight for spot at the political table […] Read more



File photo of signage outside Maple Leaf Foods’ Lagimodiere Boulevard plant in Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

Maple Leaf sees ‘inflection point’ beyond red ink of 2022

Packer books net losses in Q4, full-year

Another of Canada’s major pork and poultry packers has reported significant net losses in its 2022 ledger, but sees “green shoots” suggesting a return to normal pork markets and stable supply chains this year. Maple Leaf Foods on Thursday reported a net loss of $311.89 million on $4.739 billion in gross sales for its fiscal […] Read more


McCain Foods’ french fry processing plant near Coaldale, Alta. (University of Lethbridge video screengrab via YouTube)

McCain to double Alberta french fry plant capacity

Lethbridge-area plant to more than double staff count

Alberta’s plans to boost its irrigated acres are being met near the starting line with a major french fry producer’s plans to double the capacity of its plant there. McCain Foods announced Monday it will put up $600 million to build two new production lines for frozen french fries and potato specialty goods at its […] Read more

CME April 2023 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle hit one-month low on profit-taking

Hogs, feeder cattle also lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell to their lowest price in more than a month, while feeder cattle sank below a one-week low on Monday on profit-taking following recent rallies, brokers said. Feeder cattle closed lower for the third consecutive session after the front-month contract touched a 2015 high last […] Read more


CBOT May 2023 soft red winter wheat with 20-day moving average, MGEX May 2023 hard red spring wheat (orange open/high/low/close) and K.C. May 2023 hard red winter wheat (orange O/H/L/C). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Wheat slightly rebounds; corn, soy dip

Market volatility over banking sector hits grains prices

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago grains see-sawed on Monday, piggybacking on U.S. stocks that were spooked by global economic concerns after the tech-focused lender Silicon Valley Bank collapsed. The most-active corn and soybean contracts closed weaker, while wheat rebounded slightly after finishing last week at a 20-month low. Grains prices gyrated throughout the day as […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan)

Canary seed set for more acres

Crop seen as competitive against wheat for area in West

MarketsFarm — While the price of canary seed in Western Canada has come down over the past couple of years, there is optimism that acres devoted to the specialty grain will increase in 2023. David Nobbs, pulse merchant for Purely Canada Foods in Saskatoon and former chair of the Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan, […] Read more