
Managed money adding to net short positions in canola
Canola at biggest net short position in months
MarketsFarm — Managed money fund traders remain bearish canola, growing the net short position in the ICE Futures market to the second largest level of the past year, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As of Oct. 17, the net managed money short position in […] Read more

Seed regulation consultation results released
CFIA 'anticipates' more consultations this winter
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is getting closer to updating its seed regulations. On Monday, the agency released a “What We Heard” report summarizing the responses of 315 individuals and groups who participated in an online survey from Feb. 15 to May 1. The CFIA is looking to update seed regulations to “reduce complexity, protect […] Read more

Foodgrains Bank calls for urgent aid in Gaza
Humanitarian groups have had limited access to the besieged area
Over 6,000 men, women and children in Israel and Gaza have died in two weeks of conflict, the Foodgrains Bank said. More than 1.4 million people have been displaced.
As a member of the Humanitarian Coalition, the Foodgrains Bank is working with partner organizations and local groups to bring humanitarian assistance to the area.

Prairie Forecast Update: Cold and some snow coming
Issued Oct. 22, covering Oct. 22 to 25
I have been waiting to see if the weather models were going to come into agreement on the upcoming shift on our weather pattern and for the most part, they have: it’s going to get cold! A large area of low pressure has formed over the eastern Arctic and the counterclockwise rotation around that low […] Read more

Prairie cash wheat: Spring wheat bids rise with U.S. futures
Weaker loonie also offers support
MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada were mostly higher during the week ended Thursday, as gains in U.S. futures and weakness in the Canadian dollar provided support. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were up by $5-$10.20 per tonne across the Prairies, according to price quotes from […] Read more

Seaway workers’ strike underway
Management awaiting CIRB ruling on grain traffic
Unionized workers on the St. Lawrence Seaway walked off the job just after midnight Sunday, shutting the waterway to all cargo vessels including grain traffic for now. Unifor, which represents about 360 Seaway workers across five locals in Ontario and Quebec, had served Seaway management with 72 hours’ strike notice on Wednesday. In a release […] Read more

Seaway to seek order exempting grain traffic from strike action
Management, union say talks still ongoing
Facing a strike that would shut down traffic on the waterway as early as Sunday, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. has asked for an order confirming that grain would need to continue moving. Unifor, the union representing over 360 seaway workers across five union locals in Ontario and Quebec, on Wednesday served the corporation […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME hog futures hit contract lows
Cattle futures also sag
Chicago | Reuters — Lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange fell to life-of-contract lows on Friday and cattle futures also retreated, pressured by technical selling and worries that a slowing global economy could hurt demand for meat, traders said. Hog futures fell the most, with the benchmark December contract settling down two cents, […] Read more

U.S. grains: Corn drops back below US$5
Soybeans down off one-month high
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn futures closed lower after hitting their highest price since August on Friday, while soybean futures retreated from a one-month high. Traders took profits after the markets rose earlier on concerns about a drought in Brazil disrupting grain shipments on rivers and slowing soy plantings, analysts said. […] Read more

AgriRecovery feed, freight, breeding herd aid set for Alberta, Saskatchewan, B.C.
Feds, provinces announce combined $365 million in aid programs
The federal and Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia governments are jointly putting up $365 million to support ranchers and farmers up against this summer’s drought and wildfire damage. The feds on Friday announced their 60 per cent, or $219 million, share of AgriRecovery program funding for the three westernmost provinces. “I’ve had the opportunity to […] Read more