Glacier FarmMedia – Corn prices are going to tank in 2020-21, according to a leading agricultural economist from the United States corn belt. Why it matters: The U.S. market sets the base price for corn and many other crops in Canada, although Ontario producers are often buffered by a lower Canadian dollar. The U.S. Department […] Read more
Why there’s so much U.S. anxiety over corn
U.S. corn stocks-to-use ratio is expected to inflate to a bloated 29 per cent next crop year, shredding already low prices
Ottawa proposes levy on imported pork products
The levy of 75 cents per hog would fund research and promotion similar to beef sector program
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada wants to start charging a levy on imported pork to help fund research and promotion activities. The federal government is proposing to establish the Canadian Pork Promotion and Research Agency to manage the levy and help co-ordinate research and promotion activities. Why it matters: Imported pork benefits from domestic generic promotion […] Read more
Soy sector seeks protein ceasefire
‘Rock’em, sock’em’ environment needs to stop, says U.S. soy leadership
Glacier FarmMedia – The United Soybean Board is pushing for a truce in the protein war. The group has launched Protein First, a collaborative effort to work with the meat sector on boosting global demand for all types of protein. USB chief executive officer Polly Ruhland said the introduction of plant-based meat alternatives has created […] Read more
Biofuels expect hard hit with reduced travel
Gasoline consumption decline could mean lower corn prices
Glacier FarmMedia – COVID-19 is expected to bring trouble to the biofuel sector and that is already depressing corn and other grain prices. “Biofuel producers are under desperate strain,” Emily Skor, chief executive officer of Growth Energy said in an email. “This is unlike anything we’ve seen before.” Why it matters: Ethanol has put a […] Read more
Yara executive touts fertilizer as greenhouse gas solution
Company believes more efficient production will avoid destroying forests for extra cropland, but other groups disagree
Fertilizer companies can do more good than bad when it comes to combatting greenhouse gases, according to Yara’s chief executive officer. Svein Tore Holsether said agriculture is responsible for one-quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. “On the one hand, that is a big challenge, but it is also a very big opportunity,” he told analysts […] Read more
Soybean growers feel abandoned by Ottawa
Sector accuses the federal government of focusing on canola, beef and pork while turning a blind eye to soybeans
Glacier FarmMedia – Ron Davidson was outraged when he read Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s mandate letter to Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. The prime minister had issued a series of mandate letters on Dec. 13 that serve as the marching orders for the ministers in his newly elected government. Bibeau’s letter told her to “develop additional […] Read more
Canadian farm equipment sales drop as net farm income plunges
Trade barriers, poor growing conditions and rising costs take bite from income
Canadian farmers are feeling the financial pinch of lost markets and rising expenses after a prolonged period of prosperity, according to recently published statistics. Net farm income plummeted 46 per cent (in constant 2012 dollars) in 2018 after seven years of above-average incomes. The outlook for 2019 is equally grim. Why it matters: As the […] Read more
Argentinian politics may prompt soybean glut
Politics will continue to play a major role in grain markets in 2019-20 and this time some effect will come from Argentina
Glacier FarmMedia – Argentina’s recent election results could have a profound impact on corn, soybean and wheat markets, said an analyst who closely follows South America’s grain and oilseed sector. Incumbent Mauricio Macri is on his way out, and the new president will be Alberto Fernandez. Not much is known about Fernandez, who was a […] Read more
Dry beans absorb major hit
Canadian production is down, but not much as in the United States
Glacier FarmMedia – It has been a disastrous year for most areas in North America in dry bean production and that will eventually result in rising prices, says an industry executive. “Values to the farmer are slowly but surely going to improve and it don’t matter what class of bean you’ve got,” said Tim Courneya, […] Read more
Now might be the right time to buy phosphorus: analyst
Extra global supply has dropped prices, but the glut is ending
Glacier FarmMedia – International phosphate prices have tumbled in 2019 as supply has far outstripped demand but they could start climbing this fall, says an analyst. “I do see more upside to it, I absolutely do,” said Josh Linville, fertilizer analyst with INTL FCStone. Phosphate was trading in New Orleans for about US$300 per tonne […] Read more
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