pandemic Archives | Country Guide

U.S. grains: Soybeans firm on China demand, economic optimism

Equities rally as economies reopen, dollar eases

By Karl Plume 18 hours ago

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures firmed and soybeans posted their strongest advance in a month on Tuesday as rising equities and energy markets and a weakening U.S. dollar triggered short-covering in commodities battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Wheat followed corn and soy higher but reversed course amid forecasts for crop-boosting rains in rival […] Read more

General, Markets

New Brunswick to lift ban on temporary foreign workers

Damage 'already been done' for farmers, NFU-NB says

By Dave Bedard 5 days ago

Reading Time: 2 minutes New Brunswick plans to end its ban on the entry of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) next week as the province moves to the “yellow” level in its COVID-19 pandemic recovery plan. The ban, announced April 28, will end effective May 29, Premier Blaine Higgs said Friday in an announcement some farmers say comes too late […] Read more

General, Machinery, Weather

CEBA expanded to farms, other ‘owner-operated’ businesses

Program offers zero-interest, partly-forgivable loans

By Dave Bedard May 20, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes Farms and other “owner-operated” businesses with little or no payroll may soon be able to get in on a federal program offering zero-interest loans to businesses up against pandemic-related drops in revenue. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday announced an expansion of eligibility under the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to also include “sole proprietors […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

USDA sets coronavirus aid payments for corn, soy, wheat

By Reuters May 20, 2020

Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — U.S. farmers that grow crops including corn and soybeans will receive coronavirus assistance payments based on either half of their 2019 production or the supplies they had on hand as of Jan. 15, the government said on Tuesday. The coronavirus aid is the latest in a round of government payments that […] Read more

General, Markets, Reuters

Canada, U.S. agree on extension for ban on non-essential travel

By Reuters May 19, 2020

Reading Time: < 1 minute Ottawa | Reuters — Canada and the United States have agreed to extend a ban on non-essential travel between the two nations by another 30 days as part of the fight against the coronavirus, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. U.S. and Canadian officials had said last week it was likely that the measure […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

Packaged-food majors see sales spike in pandemic

Big brands may benefit from larger, more secure supply chains

By Martinne Geller May 14, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — General Mills on Monday said it saw record demand for its pantry staples, becoming the latest packaged food maker to see business spike during the COVID-19 pandemic, as homebound shoppers stocked up on comfort foods during lockdowns. The company joins Nomad Foods, Premier Foods, Nestle, Mondelez and other processed food makers, which have […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

More Mexican beef headed to U.S. dinner tables as supply crunch bites

"I think we're going to leap past Canada this year"

By David Alire Garcia, P.J. Huffstutter May 14, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes Mexico City/Chicago | Reuters — More Mexican steaks and other beef cuts are headed north of the border after the coronavirus outbreak has hobbled U.S. meat processing plants, potentially offsetting fears of shortages affecting businesses from fast-food chains to grocery stores but angering U.S. ranchers. The Mexican industry chalks up the export growth to new […] Read more

General, Markets, Reuters

Australia requests China trade talks over beef, barley

By Kirsty Needham May 13, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes Sydney | Reuters — Australia’s trade minister is seeking urgent talks with his Chinese counterpart after key agriculture exports were hit with suspensions and tariff threats, but said Australia will continue to push for an inquiry into the COVID-19 outbreak. Trade minister Simon Birmingham requested a telephone call with Chinese commerce minister Zhong Shan after […] Read more

General, Markets

Laid-off foreign workers may get conditional clearance for other jobs

Workers allowed to start new jobs while permits are processed

By Dave Bedard May 12, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes Approved temporary foreign workers (TFWs) whose jobs disappeared before they could begin work in Canada this spring can now get much quicker approval to start at other workplaces, including farms, where the workers are needed. The federal government said Tuesday it will, effective “immediately,” temporarily waive its rule requiring a TFW to receive federal approval […] Read more

Crops, Lentils, Markets

Pulse weekly outlook: Lentils stabilize with seeding underway

By Phil Franz-Warkentin - MarketsFarm May 12, 2020

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Lentil bids in Western Canada may have come off their recent highs, but prices are still solid and should encourage more seeded area this spring. Increased demand tied to the COVID-19 pandemic gave lentil prices a boost in March, with the largest gains in red lentils which hit highs around the 32 cents/lb. […] Read more

COVID-19 and the farm: Stories from the GFM network

Legalization lifts Canada’s net farm income in 2019

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures follow equities higher

GFM Network News