Canadian dollar likely to fall lower in value

'Ill-conceived' deficits don't help the economy in the long run

I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers regarding the outlook for the deteriorating Canadian dollar. Many cattle producers don’t watch daily market activity and recently, we’ve seen sharper changes from week to week as the Canadian recession deepens. A dovish monetary policy from the Bank of Canada along with left-leaning fiscal policy from the ruling […] Read more

Grain ‘trade’ at risk of low-balling U.S. soybean yields: Maguire

Chicago / Reuters – At 47.1 bushels an acre, last month’s soybean yield estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture was a new all-time high. And the average trader estimate for the USDA’s November projection is higher still, at 47.608 bushels. Even so, the long-term relationship between corn and soybeans suggests current soybean yields remain relatively […] Read more


stock market numbers

The high cost of buying stocks and bonds in a boom market

With financial prices rising, prudent investors need to be cautious in the marketplace

It is a paradox of off-farm investing that, as the U.S. economy strengthens and the Canadian economy gains speed, albeit sluggishly, buying stocks and bonds is getting to be harder, not easier. The reasons are, of course, that many other investors have already made their bets, bought the stocks they expect to rise, put money […] Read more

From good planning comes review

From good planning comes review

The crop is in the ground. Now it’s time to put your marketing plan under review

These were my final comments in my last column: “As a primary producer you are fully exposed to these market swings and fluctuations so you need to be prepared to react when they happen to protect your bottom line. Have a marketing and pricing plan in place that incorporates ways of protecting yourself when futures […] Read more


Chickpeas

Lentil acres up; chickpeas down

Although transportation issues continue to dominate discussion, 
Marlene Boersch is positive on lentil markets for 2014

Marlene Boersch, co-founder of Mercantile Consulting Venture in Winnipeg, Man., expects to see an increase in lentil production this year, but a decrease in chickpea acreage. While both saw good production in 2013, a lack of movement in chickpeas could mean decreased acreage. On the other hand, good prices, strong movement and an oversaturated wheat […] Read more