Lower Russian and Ukraine output has become a secondary feature in the wheat market.

Wheat futures market remains volatile

Early U.S. yields better than expected; Russian wheat not dominating like last year

The Northern Hemisphere wheat harvest is in the early stages. Corn and soybean markets are factoring in a risk premium due to uncertainty in U.S. production. Quick lookSoybeans: Brazil and Argentina soybean harvests are complete and basis levels are strengthening.Corn: Ongoing Brazilian and Argentinean harvests are pressuring world values.Wheat: The U.S. winter wheat harvest is […] Read more

Seedling waterhemp at the 2 to10 leaf stage in 6 leaf corn. Control must be prioritized since herbicide effectiveness will be reduced as this weed gets bigger.

Crop Report: The good, the bad and the difficult

OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week of June 20

Crop growth and conditions continue to be variable across the province. While crops look good in areas that were able to be planted either early or as per normal and into decent soil conditions, other areas have been delayed significantly by continued rainfall. Understandably, this has been a difficult time for those growers. There is […] Read more



Open interest in the canola market was down by 14,880 contracts on the week.  Photo: File

Fund short position grows in canola

Fund traders were back on the sell side of the canola market in early June, putting on fresh bearish bets and growing their net short position, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As of June 4, 2024, the net managed money short position in […] Read more


A soybean field in 2018. Ontario on-farm soybean stocks are expected to drop to historical lows at the end of the 2023-24 crop year.

Grain traders forecasting big U.S. soybean crop

World will contend with a sharp year-over-year increase in soybean production for 2024/25

Ontario corn and soybean prices are at six-month highs. Farmers should sell the final 20 per cent increment of their 2023 corn and soybean production. Quick lookSoybeans: Traders are factoring in a year-over-year increase in U.S. soybean production. Brazil’s final crop estimate will be lower due to extensive flooding. Argentina’s crop was 80 per cent […] Read more

Physiological fleck in winter wheat. This is often misdiagnosed as leaf disease or surfactant injury.

Field conditions in Ontario seen as ‘frustrating’

OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week of May 30

It continues to be a frustrating spring for field conditions through much of the province. Frequent precipitation has continued to cause delays in tillage, planting, and spraying in some areas, and weather earlier this week has shut down field work once again in many areas. However, with 3–5-day windows of good weather, many producers have […] Read more

The May USDA WASDE report was considered bullish for the corn market. Ending stocks were decreased by 2.5 million tonnes due to stronger ethanol use and higher exports.

Latest USDA report bullish for corn

Lower than expected yields could occur due to late planting, insect pressure

Ontario corn and soybean planting progress is running seven to 14 days behind normal. A later planting period generally results in lower yields. Winter wheat is rated 70 per cent good to excellent. Quick lookSoybeans:U.S. planting progress is lagging the five-year average, resulting in lower yield forecasts. Brazil continues to dominate the world market for soybeans […] Read more


Sulphur (S) deficiency in winter wheat. S and Mn deficiency are appearing in fields: S deficiency appears as yellowing on the whole leaf starting with new growth. Mn deficiency will show a distinct striping pattern with necrotic areas, on new growth.

How Ontario crops are shaping up so far

OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week of May 9

Cereals Winter wheat is advanced by 10-14 days in southern Ontario compared to other years, particularly in early planted fields. Fields in Essex are now at the early boot stages. Regions of the province further north and east as well as later planted fields are not as advanced and are at the first to second […] Read more

The world soybean market is digesting South American harvest pressure and North American production forecasts.

North American soybean prices soften

The U.S. will need to carry the world in corn until late June and July

This month, traders will be focused on the U.S. planting pace and North American weather. Last month, a large portion of Ontario received over 150 per cent of normal precipitation. Quick lookSoybeans: Argentina will dominate the soymeal and soyoil market over the next month as harvest nears 20 per cent complete. Brazil’s soybean export offers […] Read more