Analysts see COVID-19 as unlikely to impact farmland values

Analysts see COVID-19 as unlikely to impact farmland values

Number of transactions could slow as prices continue increasing

As the global economic roller coaster trip continues, will the pandemic radically change Ontario’s farmland values? Probably not, say analysts, though fewer transactions are likely. Why it matters: COVID-19 will likely impact the number of people selling farmland, but not the overall value, according to analysts. In the extreme corner of southwestern Ontario, a virtual […] Read more

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Plummeting french fry sales have potato growers re-evaluating

Restaurant closures slash demand, though 'chip sales have been great'

French fry sales are down across North America as tens of thousands of restaurants have closed during COVID-19, meaning the potato industry has to adapt quickly. Companies that turn potatoes into french fries, wedges and hash browns are slowing down, because there isn’t enough space to store all the frozen product. In Alberta and Manitoba, […] Read more

(File photo)

Livestock auction marts to decide on next steps

Livestock Marketing Association of Canada pondering next move in face of pandemic

You may want to call first to see if it’s open, but many auction marts in Alberta were still having sales on Tuesday morning. The Livestock Marketing Association of Canada has a conference call set for this evening to discuss COVID-19 safety measures for staff, customers and buyers, said Chance Martin, an LMAC director and […] Read more

A worker pushes a cart of marijuana plants at the Canopy Growth facility at Smiths Falls, Ont. on Jan. 4, 2018. (File photo: Reuters/Chris Wattie)

More pain in store for Canadian marijuana companies

Aurora Cannabis, Tilray cut jobs

Toronto | Reuters — Investors are bracing for more job cuts and writedowns at Canadian cannabis producers before the industry stabilizes and becomes profitable, after two of the biggest weed companies, Aurora Cannabis and Tilray announced cost reductions this week. Canada legalized recreational cannabis in October 2018 but profits have proven elusive for most marijuana […] Read more

(Greg Berg photo)

Machinery costs driving up fixed farming expenses

MarketsFarm — Fixed costs on farms continue to rise year-over-year, a statistic largely attributed to increasing land values and interest rates. At the beginning of 2019, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) reported farmland values across Canada increased by an average of 6.6 per cent during the previous year. But that’s not the main driver of fixed […] Read more



CBOT January 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybean futures set two-week high

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose for a fifth straight session to their highest in two weeks as Chinese importers on Monday bought at least five bulk cargo shipments of the oilseed from the United States, or about 300,000 tonnes, traders said. A rally to four-week highs in soyoil futures helped support the […] Read more

Canola south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 3, 2017. (Dave Bedard photo)

Input Capital to consider company sale, merger, cannabis

Possible options including a sale, merger or moving into the cannabis business are now on the table for “commodity streaming” canola firm Input Capital Corp. Regina-based Input, which trades publicly on the TSX Venture Exchange, announced Wednesday its board has launched a “comprehensive review of strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value.” The review, which will […] Read more


CBOT March 2019 corn futures with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans rise as China buys more U.S. shipments

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose for a second straight session on Tuesday as Chinese importers booked U.S. shipments in the second wave of purchases since striking a trade war truce with Washington earlier this month. Corn also firmed as traders anticipated import purchases by China as part of the detente, which included […] Read more