Ont. soybean acres seen steady to higher

(Resource News International) — The number of acres that Ontario farmers plan to plant to soybeans this spring is expected to be steady to possibly slightly higher than in 2007, according to the Ontario government. Ontario accounts for roughly 80 to 81 per cent of Canada’s total soybean output. “There is certainly a lot of […] Read more

Thin Prairie snowcover may hit winter wheat

(Resource News International) — The absence of snowcover in southern regions of Canada’s Prairie grain belt has created concerns over winterkill in the winter wheat crop. “No one is really sure of the extent of the damage,” said Jake Davidson, an executive manager with Winter Cereals Canada. “However, there are indications that there has been […] Read more


Small decline expected in Ont. corn acres

(Resource News International) — Alternative crop choices and high input costs were expected to cause a small decline in the number of acres to be seeded to corn in Ontario this spring, according to an official with the Ontario Corn Producers Association. “I would say that while it is still very early in the spring, […] Read more

Prairies’ lack of moisture hinders seeding optimism

(Resource News International) — Lack of moisture in the central regions of the Prairies is hindering optimism for spring seeding among producers, according to a number of market participants. “There is a large contingent of producers, primarily from the central south part of the Prairies, that are clearly looking at the driest soil moisture conditions […] Read more


Maple Leaf says moratorium won’t hinder expansion

(Resource News International) — Maple Leaf plans to continue plans to ramp up production at its Brandon, Man. hog plant, despite the province’s decision to maintain a moratorium on the expansion of existing hog barns and the establishment of new hog barns in three key hog producing regions in the province. “Maple Leaf has had […] Read more

Spring weight limits expected to slow grain movement

(Resource News International) — Spring road restrictions in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are in the process of being implemented and are expected to limit farmers’ ability to move grain for the next couple of months, according to industry officials. Spring weight restrictions have already been implemented on certain rural roads in Alberta. An official with […] Read more


Biofuel development seen on track

(Resource News International) — The development of the biofuel industry in Canada remains on track with a number of operations already in place and a number of others on board to start production very shortly, according to an official with the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. “With crude oil values climbing above US$105 a barrel along […] Read more

AAFC expects small drop in durum acres

(Resource News International) — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada expects the area seeded by Canadian farmers to durum this spring will be a bit less than what it had anticipated earlier in the year, according to an updated acreage outlook from AAFC’s market analysis division. The area expected to be planted to some specialty and pulse […] Read more


Japan’s low-protein plan may bite into wheat price

(Resource News International) — Japan’s consideration of lowering its wheat protein requirements is not expected to have much effect on Canadian wheat sales to that country, but the reduced protein content was expected to make competition for that market a bit tougher and in turn lower prices, according to market participants. “Essentially, what the decision […] Read more

St. Lawrence Seaway to reopen March 20

(Resource News International) — The 2008 navigation season on the Welland Canal section of the St. Lawrence Seaway system will begin on March 20 and on the Montreal/Lake Ontario section on March 22, according to a notice issued by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. The opening of the Welland Canada has been set at […] Read more