
Tag Archives COVID-19

Direct marketing in the COVID age
Two Alberta businesswomen talk shop about how the pandemic has shaped the direct marketing landscape for beef producers
It is a changed world. The time spent in pandemic lockdowns has completely altered consumer behaviour. Perhaps it has sped up trends that were already in place, such as concerns about how food was grown or raised, convenience and ease of online purchasing. According to a recent article in the Harvard Business Review on Marketing […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Circumstances could mess with usual holiday lull
MarketsFarm — Usually at this time of year, the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) slips into its holiday lull, with most trading sticking to a sideways range, Scott Capinegro of Barrington Commodities said, suggesting that could change. “With such geo-political stuff going on and a possible railroad strike [in the United States], it kind of […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat rises on short-covering, China optimism
Wheat still lost nearly 10 per cent in November; soybeans rise on fresh China sales, corn down
Winnipeg | Reuters — Chicago wheat rose for a second straight session on Wednesday, supported by end-of-the-month short-covering and investor hopes that China will loosen COVID-19 rules, although the grain declined sharply in November on competition from Black Sea supplies. Soybeans also ticked up, touching a two-month peak, as optimism that China will ease restrictions […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat inches higher on hopes China will ease COVID-19 measures
Corn slips on export demand concerns
Winnipeg | Reuters — Chicago wheat finished slightly higher on Tuesday after the previous day’s three-month low, as investors saw hope that China would ease measures to counter COVID-19 infections after rare protests in the country unsettled markets a day earlier. Soybeans also gained on optimism about China, but corn dipped over concerns about export […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat tumbles to three-month low in broad sell-off
Soybeans rise on export sales, renewable fuel talk
Winnipeg | Reuters — Chicago wheat fell on Monday to a three-month low, as commodity and equity markets dropped on concern about the impact of rare protests in China against its strict anti-COVID-19 policy. Cheap supplies from Russia and elsewhere in the Black Sea are adding competition for U.S. wheat, and prices have slipped to […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybeans, grains turn higher ahead of U.S. Thanksgiving
Wheat rises as investors position ahead of holiday
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean and grain futures ended higher on Wednesday, as traders looked to even up their positions before the market closes for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and ahead of a short trading day on Friday, analysts said. Corn futures strengthened, as the market eyed dry weather forecasts that may cause more […] Read more

Biggest U.S. rail union rejects tentative deal, raising threat of strike
Union digs in on paid sick time
Washington/Los Angeles | Reuters — Workers at the largest U.S. rail union voted against a tentative contract deal reached in September, raising the possibility of a year-end strike that could cause significant damage to the U.S. economy and strand vital shipments of food and fuel. Train and engine service members of the transportation division of […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soy futures up on China COVID curbs, weakening U.S. dollar
Corn market gains boosted by strength in crude oil market
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat, corn and soybeans rose on Friday, underpinned by strong commodities and equities markets, as well as hopes that China’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions could boost demand. Soybeans bounced on hopes that China’s move to ease some COVID-19 curbs might spur economic activity, potentially boosting demand for goods including soybeans. […] Read more

China to step up investment in rural infrastructure
Beijing | Reuters – China will accelerate investment in rural infrastructure to improve its ability to ensure food supply while also stabilizing the economy, according to a plan published by the agriculture ministry on Tuesday. The plan, backed by eight ministries and government agencies, comes amid slowing growth in the world’s second-biggest economy, due to […] Read more

Viewing COVID-19 from a veterinary practice perspective
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
COVID-19 changed the world. It changed perceptions in animal care, human responsibilities regarding animal health management and how humans will think about their own health down the road. Opinions on what the future offers vary widely between individuals. Personal opinion, level of understanding about issues and acceptance of what’s right and what’s wrong in the […] Read more