Maple Leaf Foods’ ongoing plan to consolidate its fresh poultry processing at London, Ont. now also includes the work from two more existing plants it owns north of Toronto. Maple Leaf said Wednesday that in “pursuing further optimization opportunities,” it will shift poultry volumes now processed at Bradford and nearby Schomberg to the new London […] Read more

Maple Leaf to further consolidate Ontario poultry packing
Schomberg, Ont. plant to close by end of 2023

U.S. man with transplanted GM pig heart dies, hospital says
Reuters — A 57-year-old man with terminal heart disease who made history as the first person to receive a genetically modified pig’s heart died Tuesday afternoon at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), the hospital said. David Bennett received the transplant on Jan 7. His condition began deteriorating several days ago, the hospital said […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Canola’s contract highs still underpriced
MarketsFarm — The ICE Futures canola market posted solid gains during the week ended Wednesday, hitting fresh contract highs in many months. The most active May contract hit a session high of $1,143.70 per tonne on Wednesday, but settled off that mark at $1,125.20 per tonne. While canola may be trading in uncharted territory, there […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: USDA report influences steep drop in wheat
MarketsFarm — Of the changes to 2021-22 ending stocks in the latest supply and demand estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday, the global carryover for wheat was perhaps the most significant, according to Steve Georgy of Allendale Inc. in McHenry, Ill. In its March world agricultural supply and demand estimates (WASDE), […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat futures limit down as USDA cuts exports
Corn pressured by oil prices, soybeans pare gains
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat futures hit their daily trading limit on the downside for the second straight day on Wednesday, as the U.S. government cut domestic wheat exports and global markets continue to be roiled by supply disruptions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Soybean futures turned lower after the U.S. Department of […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME futures slide on U.S., global economic fears
Inflation 'starting to spook' consumers
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle and lean hog futures fell sharply on Wednesday, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continued to fuel worries about the health of global and domestic economies, traders said. The livestock market also followed a slump in grain and oilseed futures, which continued to be rattled by global […] Read more

P.E.I. testing finds potato wart in another field
Testing stemmed from last October's detection
Soil samples taken on Prince Edward Island following detections of potato wart last fall have turned up another field with the fungus that causes the disease. The P.E.I. Potato Board on Tuesday said the field in question is near to, and is “directly associated” with, a field where the soil-borne disease was found in October. […] Read more

Klassen: Surge in feed grain prices shocks feeder cattle market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$5 lower on average. Feeder cattle weighing 650 to 800 lbs. were relatively unchanged to $3 lower. Calves under 650 lbs. were steady to $4-$6 lower in Alberta, unchanged in Saskatchewan and $3-$5 higher in Manitoba. Fleshier yearlings and calves were heavily discounted last week with […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba growers hope timely rains follow snows
High N prices may favour pulse acres
MarketsFarm — As March 1 marked the start of meteorological spring, it feels like anything but that in southern Manitoba. One of the snowiest and coldest winters in years has been a mixed blessing for pulse growers, providing much-needed moisture for fields while also raising flood fears in some areas. Dennis Lange, a pulse specialist […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat futures down off rally
Corn firm, soybeans strong
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures fell Tuesday, snapping a six-session winning streak, as the market wrestled with supply upheaval caused by Russia’s invasion of fellow grain exporter Ukraine. Wheat prices hit the downside of their daily trading limits during the session but closed well above those lows after Interfax news agency said Russian […] Read more