(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market starts year with cautious tone

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged to slightly softer compared to mid-December. The market was lightly tested, with direct off farm to feedlot trade, but auction market activity was rather quiet. Winter conditions in southern Alberta caused buyers to be on the defensive, with lighter calves reflecting small discounts; however, vaccinated feeders on […] Read more

MGEX March 2019 spring wheat (black) with K.C. March wheat (orange) and CBOT March wheat (green). (Barchart)

Prairie wheat bids fall with U.S. futures

CNS Canada — Wheat bids in Western Canada were mostly down for the week ended Friday with a weaker Canadian dollar and falling U.S. futures. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down $1-$7, according to price quotes from a cross-section of delivery points compiled by PDQ (Price and […] Read more

(Country Guide file photo)

Falling U.S. futures weigh on Prairie wheat bids

CNS Canada — Hard red spring wheat bids in Western Canada lost ground during the week ended Friday, as losses in U.S. futures more than offset the supportive influence of the declining Canadian dollar. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down by $3-$11 per tonne over the course […] Read more

An ammonia and nitrogen fertilizer plant in Russia. (Saoirse_2010/iStock/Getty Images)

Fertilizer prices to rise on global production shifts

CNS Canada — Canadian fertilizer prices are expected to increase as spring draws nearer, according to industry professionals. “The further you buy out from spring, the prices tend to be a little bit lower. In making your commitments early, prices tend to edge up as you get closer to spring,” said Don Kitson of International […] Read more


ICE January 2019 canola (yellow) and CBOT January 2019 soybeans (green). (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola at mercy of U.S. soy

CNS Canada — The ICE canola market is currently at the mercy of the soybean market as it awaits this week’s G20 meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. “We’ve got the big pop in the soybeans in anticipation of some positive developments at this weekend’s G20 meetings… we are getting […] Read more

(Mecaleha/iStock/Getty Images)

Trade certainty doesn’t translate to higher loonie

CNS Canada — Even with more certainty around trade with the U.S., Canadians shouldn’t expect to see the dollar flying in value. “It’s hard for me to see the Canadian dollar gain value against the U.S. dollar in the short term, unless the Bank of Canada totally revises its stance towards interest rates,” said J.P. […] Read more