CNS Canada — Statistics Canada’s latest Farm Product Price Index marks a year of annual declines, predominantly led by the cattle sector. The whims of the market are one source of losses, but two producer group heads say the data call attention to the country’s processing sector. Year-over-year declines in Canada’s Farm Product Price Index […] Read more

Falling farm gate prices highlight ‘long overdue’ topic

U.S. ag sector seeks opportunities in face of challenges
CNS Canada — With shrinking farm income and a rising debt-to-asset ratio, the U.S. agriculture industry’s leaders are eyeing opportunities that could help it return to a point of profitability. U.S. net farm income is forecast to decline in 2017, with projections from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing an 8.7 per cent drop, bringing […] Read more

U.S. ethanol sector pumped on Trump
San Diego | CNS Canada — “Building partnerships and growing markets” was the theme of the National Ethanol Conference in San Diego — a theme members of the U.S. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) believe aligns well with an increased focus on national security and protectionist policies under new President Donald Trump. Speaking Tuesday, the head […] Read more

U.S. ethanol expected to be competitive in 2017
San Diego | CNS Canada –– Weaker commodity prices and less international competition are expected to lend demand and profitability to the U.S. ethanol market in 2017, one analyst says. But changing political and policy environments — in the U.S. and abroad — add an element of uncertainty to the market, and the potential to […] Read more

Mustard seeding to drop with higher stocks, competition
CNS Canada — Stockpiles of mustard are likely to put a squeeze on the number of acres seeded in Canada this year, especially as the commodity competes price-wise with canola. Olds Products, North America’s second-biggest mustard manufacturer, has started contracting acres in Alberta, Saskatchewan, North Dakota and Montana. Seed division manager Walter Dyck expects less […] Read more

Lack of buyer interest leaves lentil market without pulse
CNS Canada — Lentil buyers are keeping to the sidelines as mixed weather reports from India bring an element of turbulence into the market. Crop conditions in India are generally favourable, keeping Canada’s old- and new-crop lentil markets quiet, said Bobby Leavins of Rayglen Commodities in Saskatoon. New-crop buyers are showing little interest until India’s […] Read more

With demand, deregulation, ‘opportunities abound’ for hemp
CNS Canada — Aggressive contracting in the hemp sector is expected to bump up Canadian acres — another benefit for growers who will experience less red tape this year. “We’ve seen a lot of activity on the contracting side for growers,” said Kim Shukla, executive director of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance at Steinbach, Man. […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Soy, corn expected to move steady to lower
CNS Canada –– Despite a divergence in the two markets on the week, Chicago Board of Trade soybeans and corn are expected to shift back into step, moving sideways to lower in short-term trade, one U.S. analyst says. Improving South American weather is likely to keep a lid on soybeans, said Terry Reilly, senior commodity […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Easy come, easy go for canola
CNS Canada — The ICE Futures Canada canola market has been something of a maverick over the course of the week, bucking pressure from a stronger loonie and weaker soybeans, but traders could turn on the market in coming sessions, one analyst said. “There’s certainly some commercial buying keeping it firm, but it may be […] Read more

Pinto prices strong, farmers weigh new-crop options
CNS Canada –– Manitoba pinto bean spot prices are holding steady near yearly highs, as adverse weather during the growing season scaled back production. “It was a pretty wet year, compared to the previous year,” said Dennis Lange, Manitoba Agriculture’s industry development specialist for pulse crops in Altona. Areas of southern Manitoba saw heavy rainfall […] Read more