BeefWatch: Record-high cattle prices yet to spur herd expansion

BeefWatch: Record-high cattle prices yet to spur herd expansion

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattle Association

Despite record-high prices for feeder cattle this spring and summer there appears to be no signal that the North American cattle herd has transitioned to the expansion phase. The heifers kept for breeding were down, as of July 1, while heifers for slaughter were up. Depleted feedstocks, record-high feeder cattle prices and widespread areas of […] Read more

Detail from the front of the CBOT building in Chicago. (Vito Palmisano/iStock/Getty Images)

CBOT weekly: Mostly bullish influences on soy, corn, wheat

China increasing imports, Brazil in weather bind

MarketsFarm — While extreme weather differences in Brazil remained the main focus of the Chicago Board of Trade’s attention, increased imports by China were becoming another major factor, according to Terry Reilly, senior agricultural specialist for Marex in Chicago. “People are watching China’s increased demand for soybeans, wheat and potentially corn,” Reilly said, noting the […] Read more


  Photo: Greg Berg

U.S. grains: Chicago wheat finishes higher on short covering

Soybeans nearly unchanged, drought in Brazil looms over production

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat futures climbed more than two per cent on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session as traders covered their short positions ahead of month-end and first notice day for the spot December contract. Soybeans retreated in early trading before recovering as traders accessed adverse crop weather in Brazil. Corn […] Read more

CBOT January 2024 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans up on Brazilian heat, export demand

Wheat moves higher; corn slumps on ample supplies

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures climbed more than one per cent on Tuesday on concerns that scorching weather conditions in South America were taking a toll on crops, while the market also drew support from a fresh round of private sales by U.S. exporters. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) wheat also rose more […] Read more


(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Speculators buy back bearish canola bets in latest report

Funds reduce net long in soybeans

MarketsFarm — Fund traders were actively covering bearish bets in canola during the week ended Nov. 21, buying back some previously placed short positions, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The report was delayed due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. As of Nov. 21, 2023, […] Read more

CBOT March 2024 soft red winter wheat with 20-day moving average, MGEX March 2024 hard red spring wheat (yellow high/low/close) and K.C. March 2024 hard red winter wheat (orange H/L/C). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: CBOT wheat futures hit contract lows

March corn falls 1.7 per cent, soybeans touch three-week low

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago grain and soybean futures tumbled on Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, pressured by slow demand and technical selling and as traders liquidated positions ahead of Thursday’s first notice day for deliveries. Chicago Board of Trade March and May corn futures and all wheat contracts fell to contract lows while […] Read more


CBOT January 2024 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans fall as rain benefits top supplier Brazil

Most-active K.C. wheat reaches July 2021 low

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures tumbled on Friday under pressure from favourable rains in Brazil, the biggest global supplier, analysts said. The market has pulled back about five per cent since jumping last week to its highest price since August amid concerns over hot, dry weather reducing output in northern […] Read more



A soybean field north of St. Adolphe, Man. on Sept. 17, 2023. (Dave Bedard photo)

CBOT weekly outlook: The three main factors affecting soybeans

'Here at $13.60, we're 70 cents overpriced'

MarketsFarm — Soybean prices on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) are being pulled by three main factors, according to a trader. Ryan Ettner from Allendale Inc. in McHenry, Ill. explained that erratic weather in Brazil and Argentina is having a major effect on soybean prices, as well as Chinese demand for U.S. soybeans and […] Read more

CBOT January 2024 soybeans with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans tumble on downpours in drought-stricken Brazil

Wheat rises after Russian attack on Ukraine port; CBOT corn eases

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures lost more than one per cent on Wednesday as rain fell in Brazil, easing worries over the persistent dryness and heat that has plagued crops in the top exporting nation, analysts said. Wheat rose on shipping concerns in the Black Sea after Russia’s strike on port infrastructure, while […] Read more