As developments around the COVID-19 coronavirus change rapidly, I can’t help but speculate on the longer-term effects of it. By now, much has been made of the economic impact it — alongside the Saudi Arabia-Russia oil trade war — will have on global economies. While it’s guesswork to estimate the total impact without knowing how […] Read more
Cereals
Fraser: What will be the long-term impact of COVID-19?
Analysis: A pandemic runs the risk of driving nations further apart
Researchers develop a quick test for DON
Science Notes: Innovation could reduce toxins harmful to both animals and humans
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre (CDC) have developed a fast and accurate method for identifying and quantifying toxins in fusarium-infected cereal grain, an innovation that could reduce toxins that are harmful to both animals and humans. It could also help farmers who have struggled with trusting the toxin tests of buyers. […] Read more
U.S. forecaster sees 65 per cent chance of no spring El Nino, La Nina
Reuters — There is about a 65 per cent chance that neutral weather conditions will prevail in the Northern Hemisphere this spring with no El Niño or La Niña, up from 60 per cent last month, a U.S. government weather forecaster said on Thursday. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation-neutral (ENSO) weather pattern is marked by average […] Read more
Business risk management program reforms in development
Changes expected to be announced in July
Recommendations are now being crafted for Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on how to improve business risk management (BRM) programs for farmers in Canada. It’s expected changes to BRM programs will be announced in July when Bibeau and her provincial counterparts meet in Guelph. The recommendations are coming after a study by MPs on the Commons […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, wheat decline as Wall Street tumbles
Chicago soy turns lower
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn and wheat futures declined on Wednesday, following as Wall Street equity markets fell sharply on fears of the coronavirus causing a global recession and a lack of immediate U.S. measures to counter the economic fallout. Soybean futures turned lower, erasing early advances tied to a pick-up in export demand […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy, corn follow broad market rebound
Investors keep eye on stimulus proposals
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean and corn futures each rose for the first time in four sessions on Tuesday as expectations of policy action to curb economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak helped financial markets regain ground after a day-earlier drubbing. Wheat futures also closed higher in technical moves after a choppy session, although […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy, corn follow as global markets slump
Wheat turns higher
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell more than two per cent on Monday and corn fell nearly one per cent as concern over the economic fallout from the coronavirus and a crash in crude oil prices pushed equities and other commodities sharply lower. Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade turned higher, […] Read more
Oil price war spells bad news for Canada, global market
MarketsFarm — Benchmark crude oil prices plummeted 30 per cent on Monday, after a price war erupted between Saudi Arabia and Russia. While that will mean lower prices at the pumps for consumers, the price war will not bode well for the Canadian economy, according to a pair of industry experts. “We already had the […] Read more
Diesel prices expected to trend lower
MarketsFarm — Canadian producers may enjoy a lower diesel bill during spring seeding, as reductions in demand have weighed on diesel prices across North America. Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said retail diesel prices are down by about 10 to 15 cents per litre since the beginning of the year. The drop […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, soy, wheat slide with financial markets
Drop in oil prices adds pressure on corn
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. grain and soybean futures fell on Friday as the spread of the new coronavirus triggered broad selling in commodities and equities. Wall Street tumbled as fears of economic damage intensified with the global tally of cases crossing 100,000. Financial markets view the virus, which causes a flu-like illness, as the […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
