Beijing | Reuters — China will step up buying of domestic soybeans by state reserves to encourage farmers to keep planting the crop, the agriculture ministry said on Thursday, as Beijing continues to push for greater self-sufficiency in oilseed. China started to increase soybean planting a year ago amid worries about its heavy reliance on […] Read more
China to buy more homegrown soybeans for reserves
State-owned firms urged to prioritize domestic soy
Ukraine faces lack of herbicides, pesticides for spring seeding
About a third of needed chemicals reported to be at hand
Kyiv | Reuters — Ukrainian farmers, which have already started the 2023 spring sowing, have only around 35 per cent of the herbicides and pesticides they need, analyst APK-Inform quoted on Monday official data as showed. The Russian invasion has left Ukraine seriously short of finances, seeds and crop protection products, which could have a […] Read more
Canada reported seeking formal talks with Mexico on GMO rule
U.S. already seeking similar talks
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada has asked for formal consultations with Mexico over its restrictions on genetically modified (GM) agricultural imports under the North American free-trade agreement, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Canada requested the talks on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg, a day after the U.S. requested formal trade consultations […] Read more
Brazil to halt beef exports to China after BSE case
Indications point to 'atypical' case
Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazil’s beef exports to China will be halted starting Thursday after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was confirmed in the northern state of Para, the country’s agriculture and livestock ministry said on Wednesday. The suspension is part of an animal health pact previously agreed between China and Brazil […] Read more
Mosaic misses profit estimate amid lower demand for fertilizers
Reuters — Mosaic Co. on Wednesday became the latest fertilizer maker to miss fourth-quarter profit estimates amid lower demand for potash and other crop fertilizers, pushing shares down 2.2 per cent in extended trading. Although prices of fertilizers such as phosphates and potash decreased toward the end of last year, it did not boost demand […] Read more
Russia says sanctions a barrier to Black Sea grain deal renewal
Reuters — Russia said Monday it would be “inappropriate” to extend the Black Sea grain deal unless sanctions affecting its agricultural exports are lifted and other issues are resolved. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed by Russia and Ukraine last July, created a safe corridor to allow grain to be exported from Ukrainian ports blockaded […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures firm
CME hog futures hold steady
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures edged higher on Friday, with low animal weights supporting prices that hit their highest in nearly eight years earlier this week. “It’s a trend that doesn’t get reversed quickly, and likely sets us up for lighter weights well into the spring,” brokerage StoneX wrote in a note […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures mixed, remain near highest since 2015
Chicago lean hogs end lower
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures were narrowly mixed on Thursday, consolidating around the near eight-year high hit earlier in the week. Limited supplies in the cash market underpinned futures prices. “The packers will have to bid up to get these animals,” said Dan Smith, senior risk manager at Top Third Ag Marketing. “The […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures firm, tight supplies underpin
Hogs up off 13-month lows
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures firmed on Wednesday, supported by tightening cattle supplies and strong cash trade that continue to push front-month futures to near eight-year highs. “The cash price outlook right now is very firm,” said Doug Houghton, technical analyst at Brock Capital Management. “The overall supply outlook is for […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures ease off highest since 2015
Hogs up off lowest since late 2021
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures fell on Tuesday, snapping an 11-session streak of gains on a profit-taking setback after hitting their highest in more than seven years. Some signs of weakness in the cash markets and concerns about profit margins added pressure. Hog futures were firmer after hitting their lowest in […] Read more