(Dave Bedard photo)

Canada’s expected flax area smallest since 1950

Other commodity prices outperforming flax

MarketsFarm — Blue flowery fields of flax will be fewer and farther between in Western Canada, according to Statistics Canada’s (StatCan) first survey-based seeding intentions report for 2023-24. In a report released late last month, StatCan projected only 689,000 acres of flaxseed to be planted this spring, an 11.6 per cent decrease from the year […] Read more

Photo: File

Rain, drought highlight different growing areas

Eastern Prairies to see improved rains

MarketsFarm — Depending on which region you’re in, you could be stuck in a severe drought or facing rains that will help alleviate that dryness or push back when fields should be dry enough to begin spring planting. That’s the assessment from Drew Lerner, president and senior agricultural meteorologist at World Weather Inc. at Overland […] Read more


CBOT July 2023 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago soy dips, corn flat as planting progresses

No agreement yet to extend Ukrainian export shipping

Mexico City | Reuters — Chicago soybeans ended down and corn was flat on Monday, as U.S. planting progressed ahead of last year and uncertainty over whether Ukraine’s safe shipping agreement for grain exports will be extended with the deal set to expire on May 18. Corn, one of the crops exported out of Ukraine, […] Read more

A CNH Industrial building in Turin, Italy. Photo: Reuters/ Massimo Pinca/File

CNH raises revenue guidance on robust tractor demand

Price increases support profit margins

Milan | Reuters — Farm and construction equipment maker CNH Industrial on Friday raised its full-year revenue forecast as operating profit topped expectations in the first quarter, aided by a strong order backlog and resilient demand for its large tractors. The company increased its revenue outlook for industrial activities to between eight and 11 per […] Read more


K.C. July 2023 hard red winter wheat with 20-day moving average and Minneapolis July 2023 hard red spring wheat (yellow line). (Barchart)

Prairie cash wheat: U.S. futures lift spring wheat bids

Durum prices down on week

MarketsFarm — Western Canadian spring wheat bids were the beneficiaries of rising U.S. futures prices for the week ended Thursday. Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) were under pressure early in the week due to healthy yet ineffective rains over wheat-growing areas in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Agriculture raised the […] Read more

CBOT July 2023 corn with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago grains end week up as no new Black Sea ships authorized

Markets also have eye toward U.S. crop report

Mexico City | Reuters — Chicago grains and soy ended the week higher on Friday as hopes dimmed for the renewal of a U.N.-brokered deal allowing the safe Black Sea exports of Ukraine grain. Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations failed to reach an agreement to authorize any new vessels to carry out Black […] Read more


Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: Futures pressure Canadian prices

Some buyers still seeking coverage

MarketsFarm — Prices for feed grains in Western Canada continue to ease off, but seasonal activity isn’t the only reason contributing to the declines. Erin Harakal, trade manager at Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta., said futures markets are also playing their part in pressuring feed grain prices. “Especially with the wheat markets due to […] Read more

CBOT July 2023 soft red winter wheat with Bollinger bands (20,2), Minneapolis July 2023 hard red spring wheat (yellow line) and K.C. July 2023 hard red winter wheat (orange line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago wheat up on Black Sea deal doubts

Cancelled China sales weigh on corn prices

Mexico City | Reuters — Chicago wheat hit a one-week high and closed up on Thursday as markets cautiously eye developments on the Black Sea grains corridor following a wave of fresh tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Corn clawed back some ground lost early in the day to close nearly flat after news of cancelled […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Mosaic misses profit estimates on lower prices of fertilizers

Farmers seen waiting on prices to stabilize

Reuters — Mosaic Co. on Wednesday missed Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit on lower prices of potash and other crop fertilizers, even as the fertilizer maker sold higher volumes. Although prices of fertilizers such as phosphates and potash decreased during the reported quarter, it did not boost demand as farmers waited for pricing trends […] Read more