CME February 2021 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hog futures gain on strong pork demand

Weak beef exports drag on live cattle futures

Chicago | Reuters — Lean hog futures gained on Monday as demand for pork keeps pace with strong production, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s benchmark February lean hog futures contract settled 1.325 cents higher at 68.575 cents/lb. (all figures US$). “Demand must be good,” said Alan Brugler, president of Brugler Marketing. “Cold storage stocks continue […] Read more

CBOT January 2021 soybeans with 20- and 50-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans firm as South American crops struggle

Corn, wheat futures also higher

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures ended higher on Friday as continued dryness in South America threatened to stress the crop in Brazil and Argentina, while strong export demand strengthened corn and wheat. Chicago Board of Trade’s most-active soybean futures added 7-3/4 cents to $11.91-3/4 a bushel, ending the week up 10-3/4 cents for […] Read more


CME February 2021 live cattle with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures trim as traders weigh weak exports

Lean hogs down with pork export figures

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures fell on Friday on profit-taking during a shortened holiday-trading day, while less-than-stellar weekly beef exports added pressure to livestock futures overall, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange February live cattle futures fell for the first time in the past five trading sessions, ending the day down 0.925 cent at […] Read more



CBOT January 2021 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans slip off peak, end mostly firm

Corn, wheat dip; strong demand, tight supply limit losses

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures ended mostly firmer on Thursday as late-session buying amid worries over tightening supplies offset earlier profit-taking and technical selling that had dragged prices down from four-year peaks. Corn and wheat retreated after prior-day increases as investors pocketed some gains. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) January soybean futures ended […] Read more

Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel. (GGC video screengrab)

Grain Growers of Canada lobby Parliament Hill

Agriculture can help restart Canada's economy and the federal government help by addressing some issues, group says

Agriculture can help revitalize Canada’s post-COVID economy, but the federal government should clear the track for it. That means updating regulations to encourage technological innovation, improving market access for agricultural exports and recognizing farm practices that help the environment, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) says. The organization, which represents 15 regional, provincial and national grain […] Read more


CBOT January 2021 soybeans (candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (green line) and CBOT January 2021 soyoil (yellow line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans hit fresh four-year peak on tightening supplies

Soyoil helps lift soybeans amid tight world veg oil supplies; good exports boost corn

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose to a new four-year peak Wednesday, led by sharply higher soyoil and as robust demand for beans from exporters and domestic processors fueled worries about tightening supplies of the oilseed. Corn and wheat followed soybeans higher, with strong export demand giving corn an additional lift. Grains remain […] Read more



(Dave Bedard photo)

FCC identifies export, market opportunities for Canadian food

The ag lender's latest report highlights canola oil, pork, potato products, crab meat

Canada is already a major exporter of agricultural goods, food and beverages — but increasing food and beverage exports is still one of Canada’s biggest trade opportunities, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) says. And by diversifying exports, farmers will become less dependent on current major markets, reducing their financial risk. “When borders close for any number […] Read more

Barley south of Ethelton, Sask. in early August 2017. (File photo by Dave Bedard)

Barley trade routes redrawn as China tariff hits Australian farmers

China's barley purchases from Canada more than double last year's

Sydney/Paris | Reuters — Out in Australia’s grain fields, farmers have started harvesting one of their biggest-ever barley crops, after drought-relieving rains convinced many to plant to the edges of their paddocks. Yet the tractors are working under the cloud of a new tariff imposed by China — seen widely as retaliation for Australia’s push […] Read more