MarketsFarm — After hot and dry weather sent corn and soybean prices climbing higher in early June, much-needed rains brought bids down at the Chicago Board of Trade on Wednesday. Weather accounted for “90 per cent” of the pricing influence, according to Sean Lusk, vice-president of the commercial hedging division for Walsh Trading in Chicago. […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Wet weather pressures markets ahead of USDA report

Drought conditions improve in May for some of Prairies, not all
MarketsFarm — Significant precipitation through May relieved drought conditions across parts of the Prairies, while other areas remained significantly dry, according to the latest assessment from the Canadian Drought Monitor as of May 31. This precipitation improved soil moisture conditions for the short-term, decreasing the area of moderate (D1) and severe drought (D2) in central […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybean futures fall, corn firm ahead of USDA report
CBOT, MGEX July wheats down; K.C. wheat up
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures dropped 1.2 per cent on Wednesday, pressured by a round of profit-taking and weakness in the cash market, traders said. Wheat futures also were mostly lower after rain in the northern U.S. Plains eased some concerns about parched soils limiting the size of the crop. Corn futures were […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Front-month hogs hit seven-year high in thin trade
August live cattle up, feeders lower
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures ended mixed on Wednesday, with the thinly traded June contract rising to a seven-year high as strong domestic demand continues to underpin prices even as export prospects wane, traders said. The most-active hog futures contract eased on profit-taking but remained near the peak it […] Read more

Canada taking first step toward lifting border restrictions
U.S. border restrictions still in place until at least June 21
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada on Wednesday took a cautious first step toward easing COVID-19 border restrictions, saying it was prepared to relax quarantine protocols for fully vaccinated citizens returning home starting in early July. Canada’s air and land borders have allowed for only essential travel since March of last year, and Canadians coming home […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba crops emerge despite dry soils
Beans 'tougher than people think'
MarketsFarm — While Manitoba continues to deal with drought conditions in many growing areas, planting of pulses and soybeans is near done and some pulses are starting to emerge. “Pea and fava bean seeding wrapped up a while ago,” said Cassandra Tkachuk, production specialist for Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG). “Dry bean planting actually […] Read more

U.S. grains: Midwest forecast supports gains in soy, corn
CBOT wheat up, MGEX wheat down
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures rose on Tuesday after a government report showed that the condition of crops was worse than expected as a heat wave hit the U.S. Midwest. “Yesterday’s Crop Progress report provided plenty of fodder for the bulls,” Matt Zeller, director of market information at StoneX, said in […] Read more

U.S. livestock: July hogs retreat after matching contract high
August live cattle up slightly, feeders down
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures ended mixed on Tuesday after matching a contract high because of tight U.S. supplies and firm cash markets, analysts said. The hog market has surged this year due to strong domestic demand and solid export sales to China, the world’s biggest pork consumer. Profit-taking […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market in consolidation mode
Feeder values in West showing premium over U.S.
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable depending on the weight category. Replacement cattle weighing over 800 lbs. were steady to $4 lower while feeders weighing 700-800 lbs. traded steady to $4 higher on average. Feeder cattle under 600 lbs. were unchanged from seven days earlier. The fed cattle market […] Read more

Nutrien to boost potash output on global demand
Reuters — Fertilizer company Nutrien said Monday it expects to increase potash production by about half a million tonnes in the second half of the year compared to earlier expectations, due to strong global demand. As crop prices rise, farmers have greater incentive to use fertilizer and maximize yields, boosting potash demand and spurring a […] Read more