Reading Time: 2 minutes Winnipeg | Reuters — Canadian fertilizer and farm dealer Nutrien will continue its existing business strategy, including a focus on supporting global potash prices over maximizing sales, new CEO Mayo Schmidt said Tuesday. Surging prices of corn, soybeans and canola have given North American farmers more incentive to spend on fertilizer, lifting crop nutrient prices […] Read more
New Nutrien CEO to carry out current strategy
Schmidt to focus on potash price over boosting sales
ICE weekly outlook: Challenging crop year ahead for canola
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — With declines in canola following Statistics Canada’s bullish-leaning projections for acres, it’s becoming more difficult to determine which way prices will trend in coming weeks and months. “Where are prices going to go? In any given year that’s challenging, especially in this year,” said David Derwin, analyst for PI Financial in Winnipeg. “That […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: May corn, soybeans reach eight-year highs
Prices seen as indicating crop scarcity
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — At the Chicago Board of Trade, old-crop contracts for corn and soybeans were trading at continually rising prices over the past week and one analyst believes there is a short squeeze. The May corn contract went from about $6.50 per bushel on April 22 to $7.20/bu. five days later (all figures US$). Over […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Alternatives in greater demand
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Price increases for feed barley and wheat in Western Canada have caused more feeders to look elsewhere for sustenance for their livestock. Prices over the last year have shot up 25 to 40 per cent, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. “Any time you run into a high-priced commodity market, the cost of feeding […] Read more
Flax area seen expanding on strongest prices ever
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — To MarketsFarm Pro analyst Mike Jubinville, there’s no doubt that flaxseed acres in Canada will increase in 2021. In Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) March supply and demand estimates, the department projected flax acres to jump 22 per cent in 2021-22 at about 1.14 million, up from nearly 931,600 seeded in the previous […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Bids mixed as loonie jumps
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Bids for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) wheats dropped while those for Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) wheat made their way upward during the week ending Wednesday. Wheat futures in the U.S. were mixed, while the Canadian dollar rose. The market reacted to both the prospective plantings […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle demand surges
Cow-calf producers already thinking spring
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings sold $3-$5 higher while calves traded $6 to as much as $10 higher. The return of moderate temperatures enhanced buying enthusiasm across the Prairies. Strength in deferred live cattle futures appeared to offset strong feed grain values. Yearling prices were rather soft through January and the first half […] Read more
Klassen: Cold weather slows feeder cattle market activity
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged. Extreme temperatures blanketed Western Canada last week. Many auction barns cancelled sales or had limited numbers on offer. Buyers attended sales either in person or via the internet, which was supportive to the overall price structure. Many backgrounders and cow-calf producers delayed sales […] Read more
Klassen: Lower U.S. calf crop spurs buying interest
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $2 higher; calves in the range of 550-800 lbs. were up $2-$4; and calves under 550 lbs. surged $4-$8 on average. Certain auction barns reported that grassers traded $8-$12 above week-ago levels. Colder temperatures caused some sellers to delay sales; however, there was no […] Read more
UN urges ‘maximum restraint’ as India farm protesters widen blockade
Reading Time: 2 minutes Mumbai | Reuters — The United Nations human rights office called on Indian authorities and protesting farmers to exercise “maximum restraint” hours before the growers impose a nationwide road blockade on Saturday seeking a repeal of new agricultural laws. Tens of thousands of farmers have camped out on the outskirts of New Delhi for more […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
