Glacier FarmMedia – A major farm lender in the United States forecasts another strong year of Chinese grain and oilseed demand in the new crop year, and that bodes well for prices. “Predicting with certainty whether China will purchase the same levels of U.S. soybeans, corn and sorghum over the next year as it has […] Read more
China’s hog slaughter recovery bodes well for feedgrains
Lenders, market analysts predict the country will be an active buyer
Looming spring wheat protein shortage bodes well for Canadian sales demand
Protein levels in this year’s U.S. hard red winter wheat are expected to be well below average by the time farmers harvest the entire crop
Glacier FarmMedia – Millers in the United States may be confronted with the double whammy of a low-protein hard red winter wheat crop combined with severely curtailed spring wheat production, say analysts. An estimated 38 per cent of the hard red winter wheat crop has been harvested. Protein levels have averaged 11.4 per cent based […] Read more
Volatile crop market expected in 2021
There’s little extra supply to endure a weather-related crop event
Glacier FarmMedia – Chip Nellinger has one central piece of advice for grain farmers heading into the 2021-22 crop year — fasten your seatbelts. “It’s going to be a real volatile, bumpy ride in my opinion this spring and summer,” the Blue Reef Agri-Marketing analyst said during the United States Farm Report segment of the […] Read more
Fertilizer stewardship program gains momentum
Industry hopes to have 15 million acres under 4R plan by 2025
Glacier FarmMedia – Fertilizer Canada is well on its way to achieving its goal of having 15 million acres under the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program by 2025. The voluntary program reported almost four million verified acres in 2020. That is out of a total of 87.8 million acres of Canadian cropland. Why it matters: The […] Read more
Dissecting China’s hunger for corn
Surprising volumes of corn were bought by China in 2020, supporting prices
Analysts are debating whether China’s huge 2020-21 corn and wheat purchases are an anomaly. Dan Basse, president of AgResource Company, is firmly in the camp that they are not a one-off episode. Why it matters: Foundational shifts in global commodity demand can have long-term impacts on prices and uses of crops. “It looks like China […] Read more
Fertilizer price rebound delayed by COVID effects
There’s more upside in phosphate prices than in nitrogen, say fertilizer companies
Glacier FarmMedia – One of the largest manufacturers and retailers of nitrogen fertilizer products says an anticipated price rebound has been delayed. “We believe there was little growth in global demand this year due to the macroeconomic impacts of COVID-19,” Nutrien president Chuck Magro told investment analysts during a recent conference call announcing the company’s […] Read more
Anti-trade sentiment grips the United States
U.S. is undermining the World Trade Organization amid domestic pressure to lower trade
Glacier FarmMedia – Blake Hurst senses shifting trade winds in the United States, and he doesn’t like the direction they are blowing. “Agriculture faces some real dangers from a change in our opinion and our approach to trade,” said the president of the Missouri Farm Bureau. Why it matters: Changing global trade patterns render markets […] Read more
Canadian farm supports below OECD average
Unlike other countries, Canada has focused investment on innovation rather than farm safety nets and investment in agriculture
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada does not subsidize its farmers to the same extent as other nations, according to a new report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. “Support to producers continues to be well below the OECD average in recent years,” stated the report. Why it matters: Subsidies can provide a competitive advantage or […] Read more
COVID-19 means push back of Clean Fuel Standard
The move to support the oil sector means slower ethanol use growth
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada’s ethanol industry is unfazed by the federal government’s revelation that it is pushing back some of its greenhouse gas reduction targets in the proposed Clean Fuel Standard. “I think it’s fair to look at a reasonable delay,” said Renewable Industries Canada spokesperson Andrea Kent. Why it matters: Expanding ethanol demand is […] Read more
Oilseed sector waits for high-oleic market growth
Demand for high oleic soybean oil expected to grow because of palm oil production decline
Glacier FarmMedia – North American oilseed growers should brace for an explosion in demand for high oleic oils, says a senior executive with the organization that administers the United States soybean checkoff. “We expect the world to be in a significant deficit situation by 2025 and that will reach its peak in 2030,” said John […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
