Winnipeg | Reuters — Chicago wheat finished slightly higher on Tuesday after the previous day’s three-month low, as investors saw hope that China would ease measures to counter COVID-19 infections after rare protests in the country unsettled markets a day earlier. Soybeans also gained on optimism about China, but corn dipped over concerns about export […] Read more
Tag Archives COVID-19
U.S. grains: Wheat inches higher on hopes China will ease COVID-19 measures
Corn slips on export demand concerns
Farmer mental health worsened during COVID-19 pandemic
National survey findings reflect significant concerns and need for more mental health interventions
Canadian farmers have poorer mental health and more substance abuse than people in the general population and that hasn’t improved in the last five years, according to survey data recently released by researchers at the University of Guelph. Scores in anxiety, depression, perceived stress, emotional exhaustion and cynicism (two components of burnout), alcohol use and […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat tumbles to three-month low in broad sell-off
Soybeans rise on export sales, renewable fuel talk
Winnipeg | Reuters — Chicago wheat fell on Monday to a three-month low, as commodity and equity markets dropped on concern about the impact of rare protests in China against its strict anti-COVID-19 policy. Cheap supplies from Russia and elsewhere in the Black Sea are adding competition for U.S. wheat, and prices have slipped to […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans, grains turn higher ahead of U.S. Thanksgiving
Wheat rises as investors position ahead of holiday
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean and grain futures ended higher on Wednesday, as traders looked to even up their positions before the market closes for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and ahead of a short trading day on Friday, analysts said. Corn futures strengthened, as the market eyed dry weather forecasts that may cause more […] Read more
Biggest U.S. rail union rejects tentative deal, raising threat of strike
Union digs in on paid sick time
Washington/Los Angeles | Reuters — Workers at the largest U.S. rail union voted against a tentative contract deal reached in September, raising the possibility of a year-end strike that could cause significant damage to the U.S. economy and strand vital shipments of food and fuel. Train and engine service members of the transportation division of […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy futures up on China COVID curbs, weakening U.S. dollar
Corn market gains boosted by strength in crude oil market
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat, corn and soybeans rose on Friday, underpinned by strong commodities and equities markets, as well as hopes that China’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions could boost demand. Soybeans bounced on hopes that China’s move to ease some COVID-19 curbs might spur economic activity, potentially boosting demand for goods including soybeans. […] Read more
China to step up investment in rural infrastructure
Beijing | Reuters – China will accelerate investment in rural infrastructure to improve its ability to ensure food supply while also stabilizing the economy, according to a plan published by the agriculture ministry on Tuesday. The plan, backed by eight ministries and government agencies, comes amid slowing growth in the world’s second-biggest economy, due to […] Read more
Acute food insecurity now touching 345 million worldwide
Baghdad | Reuters — The number of people facing acute food insecurity worldwide has more than doubled to 345 million since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and climate change, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Wednesday. Before the coronavirus crisis, 135 million suffered from acute hunger worldwide, Corinne Fleischer, the WFP’s regional […] Read more
Report lobbies for better foreign agriculture worker rights
20 recommendations provided to ensure better representation, wage parity and labour law inclusion
A new report calls on federal and provincial governments to shore up representation, wages and health and welfare protection for foreign agri-food workers. The COVID-19 special report: The Status of Migrant Agricultural Workers in Canada 2022, issued 12 recommendations at the federal level and eight provincially, said Pablo Godoy, Western Canada regional director for United […] Read more
Farmers, exhibitors hail Ag in Motion’s in-person return
Ag ministers check out event on Day 2
Attendance numbers at the first live Ag in Motion in three years are an indication that demand for outdoor farm shows is as high as ever, show director Rob O’Connor says. O’Connor said he wasn’t sure what to expect after momentum building during the show’s first five years was quashed when the COVID-19 pandemic response […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
