Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat futures rose on Friday, as traders wrestled with conflicting signals — from concerns over export demand of U.S. crops to the potential of weather risks. Corn futures edged higher on bargain shopping, consolidating above a 3-1/2 year low this week, while soybeans fell slightly, traders said. The modest gains […] Read more
U.S. grains: Chicago wheat stabilizes
Corn steady after lows; soybeans continue to slip
U.S. livestock: Cattle mixed on hopes of economic reopening
'We're producing too many pigs for our demand'
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live and feeder cattle futures ended mixed on Friday, with nearby contracts pressured by coronavirus-related disruptions at packing plants, while hopes for a reopening of the economy lifted deferred contracts. Actively traded June live cattle ended higher on the week, for a second straight week, after seven consecutive weeks of […] Read more
Funds add to net short position in canola
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Fund traders put more new bearish bets on canola in the second week of April, adding to their net short position, according to the latest commitment of traders (CoT) report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The net managed money short position in ICE Futures canola came in Tuesday at 38,129 […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat slumps after Egypt again passes on U.S. product
Soybeans slip on low exports, livestock feed worries
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures retreated on Thursday as worries over favourable weather dissipated and demand concerns resurfaced after top importer Egypt passed on U.S. wheat in a purchasing tender for a second straight day. Soybean futures sagged on weaker-than-expected export sales and worries of diminished livestock feed demand, while corn firmed after […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rebound to one-week high
Lean hog trade remains focused on plant shutdowns
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live and feeder cattle futures jumped to one-week highs on Thursday as the markets extended rebounds after diving recently on concerns about the new coronavirus backing up livestock on farms. Hog futures remained under pressure from disruptions caused by the virus, which has shut pork processing plants run by Smithfield […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn futures set 3-1/2 year low as ethanol output tumbles
Soy futures consolidate after 3-1/2 week low
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures dropped to their lowest level in about 3-1/2 years on Wednesday as weekly ethanol output set a record low, reflecting weak demand for the crop during the coronavirus outbreak. Soybean and wheat futures also fell at the Chicago Board of Trade. Demand for corn-based ethanol has suffered as […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures recover
Cargill cuts more beef shifts, Smithfield shuts more pork plants
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle and hog futures advanced on Wednesday as the markets recovered slightly from recent losses that traders said had dropped prices too far below the cash markets. Futures prices have tumbled recently as major meat companies have shut slaughterhouses due to the spread of the new coronavirus among employees. The […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Loonie’s rally kept canola lower
CBOT soymeal, soyoil also drag on canola
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Canola prices dropped over the last week due to a combination of factors, according to David Derwin of PI Financial in Winnipeg. The Canadian dollar was one of those factors, as it had a small rally that pushed the loonie to almost 72 U.S. cents. That rally ended Wednesday, however, when the dollar […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Poor ethanol demand weighing on corn
Reading Time: 1 minute MarketsFarm — Losses in crude oil and ethanol have weighed heavily on grain and oilseed markets, with Chicago Board of Trade corn falling to fresh contract lows Wednesday. General uncertainty over COVID-19 is expected to keep a bearish tone in the market. “The big thing has been the overall slowdown in ethanol production,” said Tom […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker fed cattle prices weigh on feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes It appears finishing feedlots and cattle buyers are coming to terms with the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic may last longer than earlier anticipated. The “hope” factor that this environment will be short-lived has evaporated. Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $10 lower, with yearlings absorbing […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
