CNS Canada – Feed barley prices have no business being where they are, based on supply-demand fundamentals, but that hasn’t quelled the rally. With prices for old crop sitting a premium over new crop, most in the industry expected old crop would gradually decline over summer and the two would eventually converge. But dry weather […] Read more

Feed barley defies expectations as prices rally

Ontario, Manitoba corn crops need rain
CNS Canada — Corn development in key growing areas of Ontario and Manitoba remains highly variable as the crop nears its yield-determining phase. “The pollination stage is the critical part of the corn-growing period and I would say probably within the next three weeks we will know what yield is going to look like,” said […] Read more

Prairie hay crops look thin in many areas
CNS Canada — Many farmers taking off their first hay cuts are also gathering more talking points to grumble over at coffee row. While many producers are still working to get the first cut done and the situation could change with the second cut, many regions are already reporting below-average yields. “In areas of the […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Barley exports could signal market strength
CNS Canada — Jeff Nielsen, a director with Alberta Barley, expected barley exports to make a strong showing. Numbers recently posted by the Canadian Grain Commission confirmed the good news he had been waiting for. “We kind of had an inkling they were going to be good and high and yeah, it just reaffirms it. […] Read more

Chinese demand boosting Canadian wheat, barley exports
CNS Canada — China is making major moves to import more Canadian wheat and barley this year. Data released by the Canadian Grain Commission show China more than tripled its wheat imports, taking in 979,100 tonnes as of May, up from 295,300 tonnes in the same period of 2016-17 and an increase of 231.6 per […] Read more

National job vacancy rate increases in ag sector
CNS Canada — The national job vacancy rate in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector is increasing compared to the same period a year ago. Data for the first quarter of 2018, ending April 30, showed a vacancy rate of 6.9 per cent in the sector compared to 5.3 per cent in the first […] Read more

Firm, steady flax prices seen in the cards
CNS Canada — Farmers with flax in the ground should be pleased come autumn. Statistics Canada revised its seeded acreage estimate downward in late June and that, combined with lower carryout stocks and several other factors, should bring strong prices. “Given the demand in the market from China, the United States and potentially even the […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Peas may find opportunities ahead
CNS Canada — Ongoing trade disputes between the U.S. and several other countries might offer short-term opportunities for Canadian peas, but do the overall industry no good, according to the executive director of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. Carl Potts said ppeas could potentially find access to markets where the U.S. has been shut out, or in […] Read more

Consider hedging against rate hikes, farmers advised
CNS Canada — The Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark interest rate to 1.5 per cent, marking the fourth time it has raised rates since last summer. The increase from 1.25 per cent is the base rate retail banks pay for short-term loans, but consumer rates for mortgages, lines of credit and other loans […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: How growers can use weather markets
CNS Canada — With seeding complete and weather now the dominant market force, pulse producers can take advantage of their unique position, if they know how. Brian Clancey of Stat Publishing said farmers have a front-row seat to what is happening in their fields and that gives them the upper hand in marketing this time […] Read more