Fall rye flowering in south-central Manitoba. (Allan Dawson photo)

Rye production likely won’t increase in 2020

MarketsFarm — Strong prices served as an incentive for farmers to plant more rye in 2019, but one grower believes there won’t be as much production in 2020 due to the wet fall. “Winter cereals got seeded, but not the acres guys were planning,” said Brad White, a Saskatchewan farmer and a director with Winter […] Read more

ICE Futures July 2020 canola with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola values steady after losses

Weaker loonie supportive for canola

MarketsFarm — Canola prices started the week plagued by reports of the rapidly-spreading coronavirus in China, but managed to shake off some of that resistance. At midweek, nearby ICE Futures canola contracts were between $461 and $470, after falling by over $8 on Monday. Crush margins have maintained strength, which supported canola values. Crush margins […] Read more



The Federal Reserve’s influence on cattle prices

The Federal Reserve’s influence on cattle prices

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

The U.S. Federal Reserve cut its key benchmark rate by 25 basis points on October 30, bringing its lending rate to the range of 1.50 per cent to 1.75 per cent. This was the third rate cut since July and it appears that Federal Reserve Chairman Powell will wait for further economic data before making […] Read more





Photo: Thinkstock

Fund traders increase canola short position

MarketsFarm – Commodity fund traders added to their net short positions in canola and corn over the past week, according to the latest Commitment of Traders (CoT) report compiled by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Managed money traders were also on the sell side in soybeans, reducing their net long position in […] Read more

(Juanmonino/iStock/Getty Images)

As ‘Cannabis 2.0’ kicks off, industry strangled by limited retail outlets

Reuters — A year after Canada legalized use of recreational marijuana, cannabis stocks have lost half their market value, and investors betting that the launch of higher-margin pot-infused drinks and other products will quickly lift shares may be in for a bumpy ride. So-called cannabis 2.0 — legalization of marijuana derivatives including edibles, beverages, extracts […] Read more


File photo of a snow-topped field in Alberta. (Don White/iStock/Getty Images)

Feed weekly outlook: Snowfall boosts spot barley bids

MarketsFarm — Spot barley prices have received support from last weekend’s snows in southern Alberta, but the major barley-growing regions were mostly spared. While the cold and wet weather has delayed harvest activity, a promising forecast should allow for harvest to resume in the Red Deer area, where most of the barley crop is located. […] Read more

Canada/U.S. border signage in downtown Detroit. (RiverNorthPhotography/Getty Images)

Trump says impeachment inquiry could derail North America trade deal

Washington/Mexico City | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that an impeachment inquiry against him could derail congressional approval of a North America trade pact, dragging down Mexico’s peso and stock market as investors fled riskier assets. While U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said he was confident the U.S-Mexico-Canada trade agreement would […] Read more