MarketsFarm — Chinese sales of corn and a recent run of good weather in the U.S. are affecting futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Wednesday, according to a broker. Ryan Ettner of Chicago-based Allendale Inc. said recent purchases of old-crop corn from China are supporting prices, while prices for new-crop have stayed relatively […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Crop futures in all directions

U.S. grains: Soybeans slide on slowing exports, Argentina rains
USDA confirms more U.S. corn sales to China
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures retreated on Wednesday on slowing export sales as global demand shifts to South American supplies and as U.S. farmers prepare to dramatically increase plantings of the oilseed this spring. Corn futures were mixed, with the nearby contract firming as strong sales to China stoked concerns about tightening supplies. […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs climb to 6-1/2-year high
Cattle futures follow hogs higher
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rallied for a second straight session on Wednesday and the spot contract rose to the highest in 6-1/2 years on elevated pork prices and expectations for continued strong pork export sales. Pork prices have been rising, led by higher pork belly values, as retailers and […] Read more

Baltic Dry Index tops 2,000 points
MarketsFarm — Ocean freight rates have moved steadily higher over the past month, nearing some of their highest levels of the past year. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), a major indicator of shipping rates, has moved higher most of the past month, settling above 2,000 points for the first time in five months on Tuesday, […] Read more

New quarantine rules lined up for temporary foreign workers
Private transport would allow workers to skip immediate hotel stay
Temporary foreign workers coming to Canada for work in the farming or food processing sectors might not have to immediately check into government-approved hotels for COVID-19 quarantines along with other arriving travellers. The federal government on Tuesday announced new rules for TFWs taking effect starting Sunday (March 21). Like other arrivals, TFWs will still be […] Read more

Brazil’s BRF gets nod to export wings to Canada
Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazilian food processor BRF said on Tuesday Canada has authorized chicken wing exports from two of its plants located in top farm state Mato Grosso. BRF has been seeking to sell more products to Canada to strengthen its position in developed markets and also shore up competition against domestic rivals […] Read more

U.S. grains: Nearby corn futures firm as USDA reports big sales to China
CBOT May soybeans, wheat also up
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures edged higher in actively traded nearby contracts on Tuesday on strong export demand after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the largest sales to China since January. Soybean futures were mixed, with nearby prices rising on concerns about South American harvest weather and spillover support from higher spot […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs up on tightening hog supplies, strong pork demand
CME live cattle futures mixed
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures were mostly higher on Tuesday on lofty pork prices, tightening hog supplies and hopes for improved meat demand as economies begin to fully re-open after coronavirus pandemic shutdowns. Hog supplies have tightened following liquidation of the U.S. sow herd last year and some disease-related U.S. […] Read more

Klassen: Uncertain feed grain market weighs on feeder cattle
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable. Certain reports had yearling markets trading $3 on either side of unchanged while in southern Alberta, prices were down $2-$4 on average. Calves weighing 600 to 750 lbs. were $4 lower to $4 higher and feeders under 600 lbs. were steady to $3 […] Read more

Richardson to upgrade western Manitoba elevator
High-throughput to replace wooden crib structure at Swan River
Prairie grain handler Richardson Pioneer plans to start work this spring on a new high-throughput elevator “effectively replacing” its Swan River Valley unit in northwestern Manitoba. The Winnipeg company’s current site, on Canadian National Railway (CN) track about six kilometres north of the town of Swan River, is anchored by a wooden crib workhouse and […] Read more