Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — Ocean freight rates have come off their recent highs seen back in November, helping Canada overcome the freight disadvantage it has into some markets compared to other exporters, according to an official with the Canadian Wheat Board. However, he added that there are other factors aside from the cost of freight […] Read more
Softer ocean freight benefits grain shipping
Farmers’ frustration rising over flax issues
Reading Time: 3 minutes (Resource News International) — Prairie flax growers on a conference call Monday to discuss the state of the flaxseed industry expressed concern over plans offered to deal with trace amounts of genetically-modified (GM) material found in flaxseed samples across the country. The requirement that producers grow only certified seed in 2010 was a major topic […] Read more
Corn, soy futures seen headed lower
Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — The downturn seen in CBOT soybean and corn futures over the past couple of weeks could be expected to continue, as the path of least resistance remains lower in both commodities, according to analysts. “The South American crop outlook is indicating a huge increase in (soybean) production — 30 million tons-plus […] Read more
Canola exports moving ahead at steady pace
Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — Canadian canola exports continue to move forward at a steady pace, despite ongoing problems exporting to China. However, if the situation with China is not resolved Canada’s overall export program may still end up below the previous year’s level. According to the latest Canadian Grain Commission data for the week ended […] Read more
Economic downturn slows cattle sector recovery
Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — The size of Canada’s cattle herd has declined steadily in recent years, and could continue to do so as the current economic downturn has thrown a wrench in the recovery process, according to an official with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “It’s pretty clear that supplies of cattle in North America are […] Read more
Canola seen stabilizing, but bias still down
Reading Time: < 1 minute (Resource News International) –– Canola contracts traded on the ICE Futures Canada platform have started to stabilize in recent sessions, after dropping sharply for most of the month. According to one analyst, the recent stability could be a sign that the market was close to finding some support. However, he said, the overall bias still […] Read more
CWB sees wheat, durum production likely down
Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — Canadian farmers are expected to grow less wheat and durum in 2010-11 according to an early forecast from Bruce Burnett, director of weather and market analysis with the Canadian Wheat Board. But while production may be down, prices will depend on quality and how the crops fare in other producing regions. […] Read more
Flaxseed steady, but testing slows movement
Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — Flaxseed bids remain stable in Western Canada, although the extra hoops that must be jumped through to make sales to Europe are keeping business on the slow side. The discovery of trace amounts of genetically modified CDC Triffid flaxseed in some Canadian shipments to Europe this past summer all but shut […] Read more
Cheap feed barley showing little upside
Reading Time: < 1 minute (Resource News International) — Cheap feed barley prices in Western Canada are unlikely to see much improvement, but the domestic market remains at a premium to the Canadian Wheat Board and should continue to provide the best opportunity for producers with barley to sell going forward. Michelle Balderson, a feed grains merchant with Shafer Commodities […] Read more
Canola sector frustrated on lack of Chinese movement
Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — Canada continues to be shut out of moving canola seed to China, with no progress on lessening the current restrictions or in obtaining import permits, according to the Canola Council of Canada. Canada exported 2.8 million tonnes of canola to China in 2008-09, and the country had been poised to be […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
