A cargo ship is loaded with Brazilian soybeans bound for China. (Photo: Reuters/Paulo Whitaker)

Trump, citing U.S. farmers, slaps metal tariffs on Brazil, Argentina

Washington/Rio de Janeiro | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump ambushed Brazil and Argentina on Monday, announcing tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum imports from the two countries in a measure that shocked South American officials and left them scrambling for answers. In an early morning tweet, Trump said the tariffs, “effective immediately,” were necessary […] Read more

(Country Guide file photo)

Prairie cash wheat: Improved basis underpins bids

MarketsFarm — Wheat bids in Western Canada were mostly higher during the week ended Thursday, as basis levels improved in most locations. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were mixed during the week, with a steady to softer tone in Manitoba while Saskatchewan and Alberta saw gains of $1-$3 […] Read more



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Turkish currency crisis casts cloud over lentil exports

CNS Canada — The plunging value of the lira is threatening to curb sales of Canadian lentils to Turkey — traditionally one of Canada’s biggest customers for the pulse. The Turkish lira hit a record low on Monday as soaring inflation and political turmoil sent the currency plunging relative to the U.S. dollar. At the […] Read more


People queue up outside a public supermarket’s doors in Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, in April 2015. (iStock/Getty Images)

Maduro rebukes Kellogg for leaving Venezuela

Caracas/Valencia | Reuters — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blasted U.S.-based cereal maker Kellogg Co. on Tuesday for pulling out of the country due to the economic crisis and vowed to hand over the company’s factory to workers. At a campaign rally ahead of Sunday’s presidential election, which Maduro is expected to win, the president called […] Read more


(BiodieselofLasVegas.com)

Corn/soy price ratio favours soybean acres, analyst says

Chatham, Ont. — Most underpinnings for higher corn, soybean and wheat prices appear to have fallen away — leaving biodiesel the only area that could drive higher prices. A growth mandate for U.S. ethanol production ends in 2017, and oil prices continue to stagnate well below the highs of a few years ago, according to […] Read more


(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. grains: Soybeans set six-month top

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose about two per cent on Tuesday, touching a six-month high on worries about excessive rains in Argentina crimping production prospects, analysts said. Corn and wheat followed the firm trend, drawing additional support from a setback in the dollar. Chicago Board of Trade March soybeans settled up 23 […] Read more