Detail from the front of the CBOT building in Chicago. (Vito Palmisano/iStock/Getty Images)

CBOT weekly: Mostly bullish influences on soy, corn, wheat

China increasing imports, Brazil in weather bind

MarketsFarm — While extreme weather differences in Brazil remained the main focus of the Chicago Board of Trade’s attention, increased imports by China were becoming another major factor, according to Terry Reilly, senior agricultural specialist for Marex in Chicago. “People are watching China’s increased demand for soybeans, wheat and potentially corn,” Reilly said, noting the […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola prices could rebound

'There's nothing all that exciting to look at'

MarketsFarm — Winnipeg-based trader Ken Ball from PI Financial is cautiously optimistic that canola prices can rebound in the short term. The January canola contract closed at $702.30 per tonne on Wednesday a weekly loss of $7.40. The contract fell below the $700 level on U.S. Thanksgiving on Nov. 23, a day with little volume. […] Read more

  Photo: Greg Berg

U.S. grains: Chicago wheat finishes higher on short covering

Soybeans nearly unchanged, drought in Brazil looms over production

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat futures climbed more than two per cent on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session as traders covered their short positions ahead of month-end and first notice day for the spot December contract. Soybeans retreated in early trading before recovering as traders accessed adverse crop weather in Brazil. Corn […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle gain for second straight day after selloff

Chicago lean hog futures also firm

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures rose for a second consecutive session on Wednesday on short covering and follow-through technical and bargain buying after the market plunged to multi-month lows to start the week. Improving packer margins and futures’ steep discount to cash cattle prices also supported the market following the fund-selling […] Read more

CBOT January 2024 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans up on Brazilian heat, export demand

Wheat moves higher; corn slumps on ample supplies

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures climbed more than one per cent on Tuesday on concerns that scorching weather conditions in South America were taking a toll on crops, while the market also drew support from a fresh round of private sales by U.S. exporters. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) wheat also rose more […] Read more


CME February 2024 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle up on short covering, discount to cash

Short covering also lifts CME hogs

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures surged on Tuesday in a short-covering rebound from multi-month lows in the prior session, supported by the market’s steep discount to cash market prices. Feeder cattle futures rose by as much as the daily trading limit, triggering expanded limits for both feeders and live cattle for […] Read more

File photo of cattle in an Alberta feedlot. (Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Strong demand continues to support feeder market

Significant downside risk ahead

For the week ending Nov. 25, western Canadian yearling prices were $4-$8/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. However, calf markets were firm trading $5-$8/cwt on either side of unchanged compared to values quoted a week prior. Optimal weather in southern Alberta caused major feedlot operators to stretch their hands across the Prairies. At the […] Read more

(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Speculators buy back bearish canola bets in latest report

Funds reduce net long in soybeans

MarketsFarm — Fund traders were actively covering bearish bets in canola during the week ended Nov. 21, buying back some previously placed short positions, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The report was delayed due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. As of Nov. 21, 2023, […] Read more


CBOT March 2024 soft red winter wheat with 20-day moving average, MGEX March 2024 hard red spring wheat (yellow high/low/close) and K.C. March 2024 hard red winter wheat (orange H/L/C). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: CBOT wheat futures hit contract lows

March corn falls 1.7 per cent, soybeans touch three-week low

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago grain and soybean futures tumbled on Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, pressured by slow demand and technical selling and as traders liquidated positions ahead of Thursday’s first notice day for deliveries. Chicago Board of Trade March and May corn futures and all wheat contracts fell to contract lows while […] Read more

CME February 2024 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Fund selling sends CME cattle to multi-month lows

February hogs touch contract low

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures tumbled sharply for a second straight session on Monday on fund long liquidation, technical selling and concerns about slowing beef demand and rising supplies. Actively traded February live cattle dropped to an eight-month low while several deferred-month contracts posted life-of-contract lows. January feeder cattle plunged more […] Read more