
U.S. livestock: Hog futures fall as supplies rise
CME live cattle turn lower
Chicago | Reuters — CME hog futures eased on Tuesday, pressured by a government report released after the close on Monday that showed supplies of pork at their highest in two years. The U.S. Agriculture Department on Monday afternoon said that frozen stocks of pork stood at 530.244 million lbs. as of April 30, up […] Read more

Klassen: Canadian feeder market divorces from feeder cattle futures
Timing of new-crop feed grains leads to shift
Compared to last week western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. The quality was quite variable resulting in the wide price structure; however, decent genetic and lower flesh packages were red hot. Feedlot operators were extremely aggressive on 700- to 800-lb. steers although higher weight categories were also well bid. Auction […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME hog futures rise on export prospects
Chicago cattle futures also gain
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures rose on Monday, with the front-month contract hitting its highest since April 22, on expectations for a pick-up in demand from top pork consumer China, traders said. The most-active July hog futures contract ended firm for the sixth time in the last seven sessions, but faced […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat firms ahead of USDA conditions report
Wheat pulls corn higher, soybeans down
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures rose on Monday, snapping a three-session losing streak on a round of bargain buying as traders waited for the latest assessment about crop health. “It is just a bounce back from the bashing it took last week,” said Tom Fritz, commodity broker at EFG Group. “We still have […] Read more

P.E.I. seed potato producers backed for ‘soil-building’
Province puts up $3 million for BMP program
In an attempt to support its potato farmers following trade suspensions with the U.S. over potato wart, the government of Prince Edward Island plans to put up $3 million in new funding for a program that will help farmers shift to “soil-building crops.” “In our meetings with industry and the P.E.I. Potato Board, the need […] Read more

Automated ag skills program developed for Saskatchewan workforce
Protein supercluster, U of S supporting non-profit agency's program
Corrected, May 24 — A national skills-building organization focused on connecting employers with “untapped” labour markets sets its webcams this summer on the automated and digital ag sectors. Not-for-profit organization Palette Skills has launched a new eight-week online program for Saskatchewan residents focused on automation and digitization in agricultural production and processing. The enrolment deadline […] Read more

Southern Ontario Kubota dealer chain sold
Robert's, Stewart's buy Earth Power dealerships
A chain of Kubota dealerships in southern Ontario is selling its three links to two separate new owners. Earth Power Tractors and Equipment, owned in partnership by Jim Kelly and Jeff Cook since 2005, said Thursday it has a deal in place to sell its sites at Owen Sound and nearby Meaford to Robert’s Farm […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat extends fall, soybeans firm
Corn books third week down
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat fell for a third straight session on Friday, retreating further from a two-month high hit earlier this week as technical selling pressured the market, traders said. Corn also eased, as accelerated U.S. planting and news that Argentina may expand an export volume cap weighed. Soybeans gained on strong export […] Read more

U.S. livestock: August live cattle, feeders ease on USDA report
Chicago lean hog futures firm
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were mixed on Friday, with the nearby contract firming while the most-active month eased, pressured by expectations of increased cattle placements in the U.S. Agriculture Department’s monthly assessment. U.S. feedlots held two per cent more cattle on May 1 versus the same time a year […] Read more

Canada to ban Huawei/ZTE 5G equipment, joining Five Eyes allies
Move comes as diplomatic tensions ease, canola block lifted
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada on Thursday said it plans to ban the use of China’s Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp. 5G gear to protect national security, joining the rest of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network. “We intend to exclude Huawei and ZTE from our 5G networks,” Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told reporters in […] Read more