Phil Franz-Warkentin

Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — Firm demand and a lack of competition in the international markets should keep lentil prices in Western Canada well supported into the spring, despite Canada’s increased production on the year. However, new-crop prices will likely be considerably lower. “There is solid demand for all varieties of lentils,” said Greg Simpson, president […] Read more

Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — A sharp rise in CBOT oats futures prices over the past week has done little to sway the cash market in Western Canada, which remains steady, according to an oats buyer. He expected current-crop oats bids would fluctuate within a range, with better prices possible for 2010-11 oats. The CBOT (Chicago […] Read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute (Resource News International) — Western Canada’s farmers continue to make steady canola deliveries, but would move more if prices were better, according to an elevator company official. “We’re getting quite a few calls from guys looking to move some,” said Tracy Glessing of North East Terminal at Wadena, Sask., about 100 km east of Humboldt, […] Read more

Reading Time: 1 minute (Resource News International) — Canola should remain a good crop option for western Canadian producers in 2010-11, although expectations for range-bound prices will mean producers should remain vigilant in looking for their best pricing opportunities. While spring seeding is still months away, “amongst the variety of cropping options available to Canadian farmers, canola still looks […] Read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute (Resource News International) — Western Canadian oats prices should see some strength going forward, especially on new-crop bids, as supplies continue to tighten. Oats merchant Ryan McKnight of Linear Grain at Carman, Man., said activity in the oats market was slow currently, which is typical for this time of year as farmers slow down their […] Read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute (Resource News International) — Canola basis levels in Western Canada are widening out due to the large supplies being held in commercial hands. Mike Jubinville of ProFarmer Canada estimated there were 200,000 to 300,000 tonnes of canola that had been scheduled to go to China, with which exporters are now over-supplied. There are currently just […] Read more

Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — Manitoba’s sunflower crop turned out relatively poor this year, as growing conditions led to low yields and caused disease problems in some areas. As a result, premium prices are available for any good quality sunflower seed, but the tighter supplies will likely cause some processors to bring up more U.S. sunflower […] Read more

Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) — The small scale of U.S. canola production, and the fact that most of the U.S. crop is used domestically, has protected the U.S. industry to some extent from the export-related problems currently faced by the Canadian canola sector. But the two countries are closely linked when it comes to canola and […] Read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute (Resource News International) –– Viterra is actively pursuing business opportunities in Ukraine, according to news reports from the country. A representative for Canada’s largest grain handler confirmed that the company was “developing relationships” in Ukraine, but said there were no announcements to be made at this point. Viterra CEO Mayo Schmidt was recently in Ukraine […] Read more

Reading Time: 2 minutes (Resource News International) –– Saudi Arabia has become a major wheat importer over the past year, taking a large portion of Canadian wheat in its tenders, while some U.S. wheat exporters have complained Canada was discounting its wheat to make the sales. However, the Canadian Wheat Board contends that while the Saudi Arabian market is […] Read more