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Brazilian state launches mandatory tracking of cattle to stop deforestation

The state government plans to track all 24 million cattle in the Para region by the end of 2026

Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazil’s Para state, which leads the country for the highest levels of Amazon rainforest destruction, will launch a mandatory program to track cattle in a bid to crack down on related deforestation, a partner in the project said on Friday. Cattle pasture is the most common initial use for deforested […] Read more


A file photo of the aftermath of freezing rain in Montreal on April 6. (David Himbert photo/Hans Lucas via Reuters Connect)

Weather Network predicts mild winter, with caveats

Colder scenario expected for East

MarketsFarm — Strong El Niño conditions that have developed in the Pacific Ocean would typically lead to a milder winter across Canada — but other factors this year could challenge that outlook, according to the winter forecast from The Weather Network, released Wednesday. The winter forecast features a mild start to the season, with a […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Higher canola, wheat production expected in StatCan report

Traders raise concerns about report accuracy

MarketsFarm — There was a consensus among several traders and analysts that Statistics Canada will very likely raise its estimates on canola and wheat production for 2023-24. Yields on the Prairies were better than expected following a difficult first half of the growing period, as the weather improved during the second half. StatCan is set […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Corn imports, larger crop prospects pressure barley

StatCan expected to raise barley crop estimate

MarketsFarm — The feed barley market in Western Canada remains relatively flat as steady corn imports from the U.S. keep domestic feeders well supplied. Ideas that Canadian production ended up above earlier expectations were also keeping a lid on the domestic market. Delivered barley into the Lethbridge, Alta. area is currently priced in the $300-$320 […] Read more

CBOT March 2024 soft red winter wheat with 20-day moving average, MGEX March 2024 hard red spring wheat (yellow high/low/close) and K.C. March 2024 hard red winter wheat (orange H/L/C). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago wheat, corn rally as export sales top forecasts

Soybeans lower in narrow trading

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat and corn futures climbed more than one per cent on Thursday as traders covered more short positions following a slump to multi-year lows and as weekly export sales topped forecasts and included sizeable purchases by major importer China. Soybeans were lower in range-bound trading after the U.S. Department of […] Read more


CME February 2024 live cattle with 10-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle drop on fund selling, beef demand concerns

Chicago lean hogs continue higher

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures dropped on Thursday after two sessions of gains, pressured by fund long liquidation and as higher corn feed prices and worries about demand for high-priced beef cuts hung over the market. Technical selling accelerated the break, the live cattle market’s sixth in the last eight sessions, […] Read more



McCain foods has launched Presia Ag Insights, a firm that will use artificial intelligence to advise growers.  Photo: McCain Foods

McCain launches new predictive ag firm

McCain Foods has formed a new digital agriculture subsidiary, Presia Ag Insights. The move builds on McCain’s 2022 acquisition of a “predictive crop portfolio” from Resson, a Fredricton, New Brunswick firm that uses artificial intelligence to advise farmers on crop management decisions. McCain, in a media release, said the Presia launch is “the result of […] Read more

(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

PigTrace tag prices go up Dec. 15

Program costs 'unsustainable' without price increase

One of the prices producers pay for hog traceability will be going up 10 per cent. The Manitoba Pork Council said in a notice to producers Wednesday that the Canadian Pork Council will apply a 10 per cent increase to the prices of PigTrace ear tags and accessories, effective Dec. 15. Table: PigTrace ear tag […] Read more