coast guard during storm in ocean

The perfect (market) storm is upon us

Markets are roiling for many different reasons. Will you survive the ultimate storm?

In the movie The Perfect Storm, three different storm cells came together to create the a storm that George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and the rest of the crew didn’t stand a chance against. I can see something of a version of that happening in the grain markets right now. Storm 1: Weather The uncertainty as […] Read more

(FIle photo by Allan Dawson)

IGC raises 2016-17 global wheat, corn forecasts

London/ Reuters – The International Grains Council has raised its forecasts for global corn production in the 2016-17 season, largely reflecting improved crop prospects in the United States. World corn (maize) production was upwardly revised to 1.017 billion tonnes, up from a previous projection of 1.003 billion and the prior season’s 968 million. “Better crop prospects […] Read more



Manitoba winter wheat in good shape

Group pushes for national wheat research strategy

Commodity News Service Canada — Despite heavy rains throughout July, Manitoba’s winter wheat is in good condition moving into desiccation, the head of an industry group says. The Manitoba winter cereals group is also preparing for an upcoming government program by working alongside other Canadian wheat commissions. “Everybody is still pretty happy. The winter wheat can […] Read more


Prairie wheat bids tick lower in choppy week

CWRS basis levels across Western Canada range from C$13 to C$27 below the futures

Commodity News Service Canada — Spring wheat cash bids across Western Canada ended slightly lower for the week ended July 18, tracking choppy action in the U.S. futures. Depending on the location, average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat prices were one to two dollars per tonne lower, according to price quotes from a cross-section of […] Read more

Canola field in bloom near Mervin, Sask on July 7, 2016. Crops are looking very good in northwest Sask.

Crops looking good, but fusarium risk is high

Weather conditions see many Saskatchewan farmers spraying fungicides

As crops in north-western Saskatchewan edge closer to maturity, Ian Weber is knocking on wood. “I’m at the point I don’t want to see bugs and hail would be really bad. Because I think we’ve got a monster coming in. Things look good,” said Weber, sales manager with Warrington AgroDynamic of Mervin. The Mervin-Turtleford area […] Read more


grain sample dish

Use your knowledge to your advantage

You know the quality of your grain. Use your knowledge to maximize profits

Pay attention to what you are seeing and hearing at the elevator and from the neighbours in regards to the grade and quality of grain coming off combines this fall. This will help you understand what’s out there and where your production fits into the big picture. Is your quality and protein above or below […] Read more

A wheat crop in standing water. (Colton Yoder photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Wet wheat weather watched worldwide

CNS Canada — Generous rainfall has benefited but also boosted the risk of disease on wheat crops in much of Canada and the U.S., and has also cut into grain quality in parts of Europe. However, according to Drew Lerner of U.S. forecast agency World Weather Inc., conditions during the harvest season will be the […] Read more


A canola field blooms west of Fairholme, in north-western Saskatchewan. Crops are generally even and lush in the areas around Glaslyn and Mervin, according to the local ag retailers.

Farmers crossing their fingers as crops seen very healthy

Risk for sclerotinia seen as very high for some canola growers

The crops bordering Highway 3, between Glaslyn and Turtleford, are even and lush. Canola is blooming. Peas are flowering. Crops look so good, “it’s kind of scary,” said Geoff Schick, assistant location manager at AgriTeam in Glaslyn, Sask. And it’s not only farmers in north-western Saskatchewan who are crossing their fingers for a bumper crop. […] Read more

The Nile River at Cairo. (CIA.gov)

Egypt’s parliament to look into wheat fraud allegations

Cairo | Reuters — Egypt’s parliament has set up a fact-finding commission that will look into allegations of corruption in local wheat procurement. Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, this month announced a government-led inspection of wheat silos after an unusually high procurement figure prompted allegations of possible fraud from top industry officials, traders and […] Read more