MarketsFarm — Ocean freight rates have fallen off of their highs of the past year over the course of the past month, but remain well above the lows hit in the spring when global markets first started reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), a major indicator of shipping rates, has moved […] Read more
Baltic Dry Index at four-month lows
Declining demand seen from China
U.S. House ag leader loses election, unsettling Midwest farm sector
Chicago | Reuters — Democratic U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, chair for the House of Representatives’ agriculture committee, failed to win re-election in Minnesota on Tuesday, a loss some agriculture leaders said could hurt the U.S. Midwest grain belt. Though Democrats retained control of the House and therefore will again chair the committee, Peterson’s exit could […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans reach four-year high on global supply concerns
Corn, wheat rise to one-week highs
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures reached four-year highs on Thursday as continued dryness in South America’s crop areas raised supply concerns at a time of brisk Chinese demand. Corn and wheat hit their highest in more than one week on strong demand and supply concerns. The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures up with boxed beef prices
Domestic consumption supportive for hogs
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures climbed on Thursday, supported by higher cash cattle and wholesale beef prices, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange December live cattle futures settled 0.475 cent higher at 108.35 cents/lb. (all figures US$). CME feeder cattle futures gained 0.25 cents to end at 135.4 cents/lb. “After four weeks in […] Read more
Denmark tightens lockdown as mink cull devastates industry
WHO and ECDC experts support Denmark's strategy
Copenhagen | Reuters — Denmark announced strict new lockdown rules on Thursday in the north of the country after authorities discovered a mutated coronavirus strain in minks bred in the region, prompting a nationwide cull that will devastate the large pelt industry. The government said on Wednesday that it would cull all minks — up […] Read more
Canadian pot producer Aphria to buy U.S. craft brewer
SweetWater's '420' beer would come to Canada
Reuters — Canadian cannabis company Aphria Inc. said on Wednesday it plans to buy craft brewer SweetWater Brewing for US$300 million as it looks to expand into the U.S. while becoming the first major pot producer to enter the alcoholic beverages market. The deal gives Leamington, Ont.-based Aphria a U.S. distribution point at a time […] Read more
Export demand keeps Thunder Bay grain traffic solid
MarketsFarm — Grain movement out of Thunder Bay continues to run at a very strong pace, with shipments to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa behind much of the increased movement. As of Saturday, more than two million metric tonnes of grain have been directly exported from Thunder Bay elevators by ocean-going (saltie) vessels […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Canola stronger at midweek
MarketsFarm — ICE Futures canola contracts were stronger on Wednesday, making up losses incurred earlier in the week. The nearby January contract closed Wednesday at $545.80 per tonne, gaining over $10 since closing at $534.90 on Monday. Record-high temperatures in parts of the Prairies were part of the reason behind canola’s rally. However, temperatures are […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans lift on South American weather concerns
Market weighs U.S. vote, pending WASDE report
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures gained on Wednesday, touching a one-week high as recent rains in South America do little to aid drought-stricken crops, making U.S. beans more attractive on the world market, traders said. Wheat fell slightly as U.S. and global supply outlooks remain strong, while corn was choppy, paring early declines […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures up on firm cash, export hopes
Lower supplies in cold storage support hogs
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live and feeder cattle futures gained on Wednesday as strong export optimism supports production through the end of the year, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange December live cattle futures settled 0.5 cent higher at 107.875 cents/lb. (all figures US$). Market-ready cattle traded in the cash market at $107/cwt, up $1 […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
