The HJV Split Grader prototype, featuring an integrated Tomra 3A optical sorter to detect and remove debris and green potatoes, drew plenty of attention during the Ontario Potato Board's Potato Field Day Aug. 21 at HJV Equipment near Alliston. Photo Diana Martin

HJV unveils split grader with Tomra Optical Sorter at Potato Field Day

New prototype promises faster field-to-storage transfer, reduced debris, and labour savings; commercial release expected in 2026.

At Ontario’s Potato Field Day, farmers got a first look at HJV’s Split Grader prototype. Paired with a Tomra 3A optical sorter, the system removes green potatoes and debris at 100 tons per hour, improving storage quality and reducing labour needs.

Hot, dry summer cuts into Ontario potato yields

Hot, dry summer cuts into Ontario potato yields

While heat stress and storage issues remain a concern, recent rainfall and cooler nights could improve harvest quality

Ontario’s record-breaking summer heat and drought could cut potato yields by between 20 and 50 per cent in some fields but cooler nights and rainfall may help salvage harvest quality.

CME February 2022 live cattle with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle, lean hogs ease

Beef supply drawdown 'quite substantial' in October

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange fell on Wednesday during thin pre-Thanksgiving trade, though analysts said market fundamentals remains supportive. The Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) will be closed on Thursday for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Reductions in beef cold storage supplies last month should be supportive after the […] Read more

CME February 2023 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle, lean hogs ease

Cold storage adds versus year-earlier

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange eased on Tuesday on softer holiday demand, after climbing to three-week highs a day prior due to tighter-than-expected cattle supplies, traders said. “With a short week, you won’t have to have as aggressive a cash trade to fill out the packer needs for […] Read more


CME June 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs rally on pork price, cash market strength

Cattle futures also up on day

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures rallied on Wednesday, with the most-active June contract jumping 2.4 per cent and hitting an all-time high, supported by rising pork prices and strength in the cash market. CME April lean hog futures rose 2.3 cents to end at 102.55 cents/lb. (all figures US$). Most-active June […] Read more

Photo: ARS/USDA

Hog market recovering from pandemic lows

China again a major driver of hog values

MarketsFarm — In April 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, prices for lean hog futures dropped to their lowest point since 2002, falling below US$40 per hundredweight. Nearly a year later, the industry is in the middle of a speedy recovery. At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) on Thursday, lean hog futures […] Read more

CME April 2021 lean hogs with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures limit-up to highest since May 2019

Cattle futures bounce on bargain buying

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures rose their daily limit on Wednesday, hitting their highest in nearly two years on tight frozen stocks and expectations for strong Chinese demand, traders said. The U.S. Agriculture Department’s cold storage report issued on Tuesday afternoon fueled buying on Wednesday. “Belly and trim stocks are at four-year […] Read more


CME April 2021 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle end firm, led by rising beef prices

Lean hog futures edge higher

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed higher on Monday as support from strong wholesale beef prices and expectations of firm cash cattle prices overshadowed pressure from bearish data in a monthly cattle report released late Friday, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange April live cattle futures settled up 0.425 cent at 122.95 cents/lb. […] Read more

CME December 2020 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures up on firm cash, export hopes

Lower supplies in cold storage support hogs

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live and feeder cattle futures gained on Wednesday as strong export optimism supports production through the end of the year, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange December live cattle futures settled 0.5 cent higher at 107.875 cents/lb. (all figures US$). Market-ready cattle traded in the cash market at $107/cwt, up $1 […] Read more