File photo of piglets at a hog operation in China. (KuLouKu/iStock/Getty Images)

China encourages firms to raise pigs overseas

Officials aim to plug domestic pork shortage

Beijing | Reuters — China said Monday it is encouraging companies to build pig farms overseas to plug a severe domestic pork shortage after a worse-than-ever African swine fever slashed almost half of its pig herd. China has urged local authorities to support qualified domestic firms to “go out,” and build hog farming bases in […] Read more

Taste-testing during a Canadian Beef Advantage Seminar in Shanghai in 2013. (Canada Beef via YouTube)

China proposes new standards on hormone residues in beef

New standards would apply to all beef exporters

Beijing | Reuters — China has drawn up food safety standards on residue limits of growth hormones in beef, a move seen as a further step toward opening up its market to imports of the meat from the U.S. China has previously had zero tolerance for any residues of growth hormones, which has restricted the […] Read more


CBOT May 2020 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soy, corn follow broad market rebound

Investors keep eye on stimulus proposals

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean and corn futures each rose for the first time in four sessions on Tuesday as expectations of policy action to curb economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak helped financial markets regain ground after a day-earlier drubbing. Wheat futures also closed higher in technical moves after a choppy session, although […] Read more



CME April 2020 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle set contract lows

Fears persist that coronavirus will hurt beef demand

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures sank to contract lows on Friday, extending a decline fueled by fears that the global coronavirus outbreak will slow economic growth and reduce demand for beef. Losses in the market have accelerated as the virus has spread, with the most-active April live cattle futures contract down 17 per […] Read more

(ImagineGolf/E+/Getty Images)

Ag chem industry watching COVID-19’s spread

MarketsFarm –– China is a major producer of agricultural chemicals — and disruptions to production would have a ripple effect on North American supplies of crop protection inputs, such as herbicides and insecticides. Plant closures and transportation issues due to the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus are being followed closely, but the Canadian industry is reportedly […] Read more


CBOT May 2020 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Virus worries, export sales drag on soybeans

Corn down on rising U.S. ethanol stocks

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell on Thursday on poor export demand coupled with declines in global equity markets tied to worries about an economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, analysts said. Corn followed soybeans lower while nearby Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures clung to modest gains, supported by inter-market spreading. […] Read more



CBOT May 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soy up on export hopes, financial market gains

Wheat resumes downtrend after bounce Tuesday

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose for a third day on Wednesday, nearing a six-week high, on hopes for increased export demand and spillover support from gains in financial markets. Corn futures set a five-week high, while wheat futures slumped. Traders said U.S. soy exports may benefit from an increase in taxes on […] Read more

CBOT May 2020 corn with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

CBOT weekly outlook: Soybeans, corn recover

More gains possible

MarketsFarm — Soybean and corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade moved off of nearby lows over the past week, with more upside a possibility, according to an analyst. “In general, with the recovery in energy prices and global markets, we’re seeing a little support come into the agricultural markets,” said Terry Reilly of […] Read more