MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices in Western Canada held steady during the first week of December as solid export demand from China continues to underpin the domestic feed market. “Demand has backed off a little bit for December. We’ve seen a flattening [of prices], but I think that’s just a step back for now,” said […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prairie prices remain strong
Exports, domestic use both up on year
ICE weekly outlook: Canola entering holiday mode
MarketsFarm — ICE Futures canola contracts hit fresh multi-year highs following the release of updated production data from Statistics Canada, but the market ran into resistance and could be expected to see some consolidation ahead of the New Year. The most-active January contract touched a session high of $599 per tonne on Friday last week, […] Read more
U.S. grains: Futures rebound on short covering, pre-report positioning
Wheat bounces from two-month low
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean and grain futures firmed on Wednesday in a short-covering rebound from prior session losses and as investors took positions ahead of a monthly U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supply and demand report on Thursday. Wheat, which hit a two-month low this week, posted the strongest advance, while improving crop […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Short covering, bargain buying lift cattle, hog futures
Meat prices, cash values temper gains
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures firmed on Wednesday in a short-covering and bargain-buying bounce following four straight losing sessions that had dragged prices to 2-1/2-week lows. Lean hog futures also firmed on short covering and bargain buying, though livestock traders remained generally cautious as they monitor broadening coronavirus restrictions and pandemic relief […] Read more
U.S. throws down CUSMA challenge on Canada’s dairy import limits
Filing challenges Canadian tariff rate quota reserved for processors
Five months and counting since the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement came into force, the U.S. government has launched a CUSMA challenge of how Canada applies tariff exemptions on dairy imports. U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer said Wednesday he has served Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng with written notice that the U.S. is “exercising its rights to […] Read more
Federal work/rest rules to be updated for railway workers
More clarifications coming, Teamsters say
A perennial sticking point in work stoppages and labour disputes at Canada’s two major railways is expected to be at least somewhat addressed within the next two and a half years. Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau on Nov. 25 announced what’s billed as the first updates to the Duty/Rest Rules for Railway Operating Employees since […] Read more
Vilsack expected to return as USDA secretary
Washington/Chicago | Reuters — U.S. President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack for agriculture secretary, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The Biden transition office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. Vilsack, who led the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures follow cash prices, beef values lower
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures fell for a fourth straight session on Tuesday as cash cattle traded lower at southern U.S. Plains feedlot markets and as wholesale beef prices continued a steep seasonal slide. Declines, however, were limited by bargain buying as some traders viewed the recent drop in cattle prices as […] Read more
Farmers protest across India against Modi’s farm market reforms
New Delhi/Mumbai | Reuters — Farmers’ protests against new laws liberalizing agricultural markets spread across India on Tuesday, as farm organizations called for a nationwide strike after inconclusive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. In eastern and western states, farmers blocked roads and squatted on railway tracks, delaying hordes of people getting to work, […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans sink on South American rains, slowing demand
Wheat pressured by bumper crops in Australia, Canada
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell for a third straight session on Tuesday on slowing export demand and as forecasts for more rain in South American crop areas tempered concerns about tightening supplies. Corn and wheat followed soybeans lower, pressured by improved South American crop prospects and a firmer U.S. dollar. Grain prices […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
