Chicago | Reuters – U.S. corn and soybean futures eased on Monday as concerns about dull demand anchored prices as newly harvested crops flooded the market. Wheat declined on weak demand and as rains in the drought-hit U.S. Plains wheat belt lifted prospects for the recently planted winter crop. Largely favourable weather across the Midwest […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn ease as U.S. harvest progresses amid dull demand

AAFC tweaks some numbers as canola, pulses remain unchanged
MarketsFarm – While Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada made some changes in its October supply and demand estimates from September, the department didn’t make any alterations to its data for canola, pulses and special crops. The department released its report during the late afternoon of Oct. 21. Of the grains and oilseeds, AAFC’s most notable revisions […] Read more

Competition Bureau to probe soaring food prices
Retail food prices seen outpacing inflation
Reuters — Canada’s competition watchdog said on Monday it would examine factors impacting soaring food prices and whether more competition in the grocery stores sector could help lower costs for Canadians. Price rises for store-bought food have been outpacing the broader annual inflation rate for 10 consecutive months, and grew 11.4 per cent in September, […] Read more

Prairie cash wheat: Bids dip with U.S. futures
Loonie down 0.4 U.S. cent on the week
MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada moved lower during the week ended Thursday, as losses in U.S. futures and a firmer tone in the Canadian dollar weighed on values. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down $2-$4.50 per tonne during the week, according to price quotes […] Read more

Alberta reorganizes ag portfolio for returning minister
Horner to handle agriculture and irrigation file
Both Alberta and Quebec have re-upped with their incumbent agriculture ministers in cabinet shuffles this week — but incoming Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s shuffle will also streamline that province’s ag portfolio. Chosen by Alberta’s governing United Conservatives (UCP) on Oct. 6 to replace outgoing premier Jason Kenney, Smith on Friday announced Kenney’s incumbent minister of […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat, corn, soy end higher but below session peaks
Weaker U.S. dollar supportive
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat, corn and soybean futures edged higher on Friday, recovering from overnight weakness on spillover support from friendly outside markets, traders said. “Equities went from lower to sharply higher, the dollar from higher to lower, and I think that spurred some buying in grains,” said Don Roose, president of U.S. […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures rise on robust beef, pork demand
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog and cattle futures rose on Friday, with strong consumer demand for pork and beef pushing prices higher, traders said. Live cattle received a boost from concerns about tight supplies. “The big thing on the cattle is that the beef market seasonally found some really good strength,” said […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Corn imports pressure grain prices in Lethbridge
MarketsFarm — With harvesting operations winding down, high-delivered bids for feed barley and wheat in Alberta are higher compared to the same time last month and last year. However, there is still some volatility in feed grain prices, according to one Lethbridge-based trader. “I think most (of the increase) was (due to) demand, but as […] Read more

Shallow Mississippi River expected to persist as dry winter hits U.S. South
River levels at historic lows this fall
Reuters — Low water levels on the Mississippi River are likely to persist this winter as drier-than-normal weather is expected across the southern U.S. and Gulf Coast, U.S. government forecasters said on Thursday. Drought, which currently spans 59 per cent of the country, is expected to continue or worsen in the middle and lower Mississippi […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soy futures rally on strong exports
Chicago corn, wheat also firm
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose 1.4 per cent on Thursday as strong export data buoyed hopes that overseas buyers will book more deals in coming weeks. Corn and wheat futures also were firm, with short-covering and technical buying underpinning the market after prices for both commodities dropped near the low end of […] Read more