Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn and soybean futures rose on Monday morning, supported by concerns that rain will delay field work in key growing areas and may damage some recently seeded crops, traders said. “Grain futures are trying to start the week higher across the board following a soggy weekend across […] Read more
Cereals
U.S. grains: Corn, soybeans rise after rains
Quebec sets up single line for flooded farmers
Quebec farmers whose operations have been hit by flooding in recent weeks will have a single number to call for provincial support starting Tuesday. The province’s agriculture ministry (MAPAQ), public security ministry (MSP) and ag lending agency, la Financiere agricole du Quebec (FADQ) on Friday announced a “concerted effort” to manage supports for flood-affected farms. […] Read more
‘Doomsday’ seed vault entrance repaired after thaw of Arctic ice
Oslo | Reuters — Norway is repairing the entrance of a “doomsday” seed vault on an Arctic island after an unexpected thaw of permafrost let water into a building meant as a deep freeze to safeguard the world’s food supplies. The water, limited to the 15-metre entrance hall in the melt late last year, had […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn hits one-week high on weather worries
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures rose nearly two per cent on Friday and notched a one-week high as worries about cool temperatures and excessive rains in the Midwest prompted traders to cover short positions ahead of the weekend, analysts said. Soybeans firmed following Thursday’s three per cent selloff as Brazil’s currency stabilized. Wheat […] Read more
MGEX spring wheat premium widening over winter wheat
CNS Canada –– Concerns over poor-quality North American wheat crops have seen the Minneapolis spring wheat premium widen over Kansas City winter wheat — and that spread could grow even larger heading into the summer, according to a U.S. analyst. The nearby MGEX spring wheat contract settled up 3.75 cents on Wednesday, while the corresponding […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans fall as Brazilian currency dives
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell more than three per cent on Thursday as a plunge in the value of Brazil’s currency encouraged Brazilian farmers to step up sales from their record-large harvest, analysts said. Corn and wheat followed soybeans lower. Chicago Board of Trade July soybean futures settled down 31 cents at […] Read more
Trump administration triggers launch of NAFTA renegotiations
Washington | Reuters — The Trump administration on Thursday formally launched its effort to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico to try to win better terms for U.S. workers and manufacturers. With a letter to U.S. lawmakers, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said he triggered a 90-day consultation period with […] Read more
BHP stays course on potash mine few expected built
New York | Reuters — BHP Billiton’s Canadian potash mine will use advanced, cost-saving technology, giving it a competitive edge in a currently oversupplied fertilizer market, the executive in charge of the business said on Thursday. Australia-based BHP aims to start potash production at Jansen, Sask., about 70 km southeast of Humboldt, in 2023, eventually […] Read more
EU to propose 10-year licence renewal for glyphosate
Brussels | Reuters — The European Commission will propose extending by 10 years its approval for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday. A transatlantic row over possible risks to human health has prompted investigations by congressional committees in the U.S., and in Europe has forced a delay to […] Read more
Prairie oats at tipping point
CNS Canada –– Seeding delays in Western Canada could see more area shift into oats, which need a shorter growing season and minimal inputs compared to other options. However, with many fields still unharvested from last year, a tipping point will eventually be reached when nothing will be seeded at all in some areas. In […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
