File photo of Black Sea port facilities at Odesa, Ukraine. (Leskas/iStock/Getty Images)

Russia denies slowing inspections for Ukraine grain ships

Ukraine alleges slow pace 'probably with intent'

Ankara | Reuters — Russia’s ambassador to Turkey said on Friday that Moscow sends its representatives to more ship inspections in Istanbul per day than mandated under the Black Sea grain deal, rejecting a Ukrainian accusation that Russia is slowing down the process. Ukraine’s grain exports have proceeded more slowly since a U.N.-brokered deal was […] Read more

Flags in front of the European Commission headquarters in Brussels. (Inakiantonana/E+/Getty Images)

EU cuts estimate of drought-hit maize crop, raises import outlook

Commission cuts soft wheat exports, raises imports

Paris | Reuters — The European Commission on Friday cut its estimate of this year’s drought-hit maize harvest in the European Union to a new 15-year low while again raising its projection for this season’s maize imports. European maize (corn) crops endured severe drought and several heatwaves during the crucial summer growth period. The Commission […] Read more


CBOT March 2023 corn with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn futures turn higher

CBOT wheat hits months-low on competition from Russian wheat

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn futures ended higher on Friday as the market continues to closely watch the weather in South America, on what turned into a relatively choppy and short trading day, analysts said. Meanwhile, wheat futures fell sharply — with the December contract hitting its lowest since Aug. 22 […] Read more



U.S. President Joe Biden tours a manufacturing lab at McHenry County College during a visit to northwest Chicago suburb Crystal Lake on July 7, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)

Biden says administration engaged in talks to avert U.S. railroad strike

CN's U.S. operations would be affected

Nantucket | Reuters — U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that his administration was involved in negotiations to avert a looming U.S. railroad strike that could shut down supply chains across the country but added that he has not directly engaged on the matter yet. Speaking to reporters outside a fire station on Nantucket […] Read more

Photo: Reuters/Ben Nelms/File

Canadian grain deliveries during October mostly higher

Among grains, flax sees largest percentage decline

MarketsFarm — Deliveries of major grains in Canada during October witnessed several gains compared to a year ago, according to the latest report from Statistics Canada (StatCan) released Thursday. All grain deliveries for October 2022 exceeded 5.43 million tonnes for a 19.3 per cent increase from the previous October. During last month, total wheat deliveries […] Read more


Surface contact pressure and axle load compaction

Surface contact pressure and axle load compaction

Q & A with an expert

Q: How does compaction affect soil? A: Soil compaction is the removal of the pore spaces in soil. In our agricultural fields, soil compaction is categorized under two types — surface contact pressure and axle load. Surface contact pressure compaction occurs in the top 12 inches of the soil. It occurs whenever there is contact […] Read more

A G-Mac’s custom seed treatment unit loads a truck with treated peas in a 2020 video screengrab. (G-Mac’s AgTeam via YouTube)

Simplot to buy western Saskatchewan ag retail chain

G-Mac's AgTeam to rebrand under Simplot name

An independent crop input retail chain in western Saskatchewan is set to become part of agrifood firm J.R. Simplot’s retail arm. Simplot announced Nov. 15 it has a deal in place to buy G-Mac’s AgTeam, which owns and operates 15 outlets in the region, for an undisclosed sum. The deal, which will see the G-Mac’s […] Read more


ICE January 2023 canola with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola’s sideways market nears low end of range

January down last six sessions

MarketsFarm — ICE Futures canola contracts slid lower during the week ended Wednesday but remain stuck in a sideways trading range overall. The January contract has held within a range from $800 to $900 per tonne for the past five months, with the market still well within that range despite losing over $50 per tonne […] Read more

A Panama-flagged bulk carrier, Ikaria Angel, leaves Ukraine’s port of Chornomorsk with wheat for Ethiopia on Sept. 17, 2022. (File photo: Reuters/Serhii Smolientsev)

CBOT weekly outlook: Renewed agreement puts pressure on corn, wheat

Soy trade focused on Brazil's crop potential

MarketsFarm — A renewed agreement between Russia and Ukraine to allow the latter’s grain to be shipped out of the Black Sea has recently been putting pressure on corn and wheat prices at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). Russia and Ukraine, with mediation from the United Nations and Turkey, agreed Nov. 17 to an […] Read more