CBOT July 2022 soft red wheat (candlesticks) with 50-day moving average (black line), MGEX July 2022 spring wheat (yellow line) and K.C. July 2022 hard red wheat (orange line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Wheat eases on harvest pressure

Nearby corn firms, July soybeans also lower

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures ended lower on Wednesday, led by K.C. hard red winter wheat, as the harvest progressed and forecasts signalled continued dry weather for combines rolling in the southern Plains, traders said. Corn futures closed mixed, with strong domestic cash markets supporting nearby July futures on the Chicago Board of […] Read more

Corn seedlings in southern Ontario in 2021. (Farmtario photo by John Greig)

Spring planting well underway in Ontario

MarketsFarm — Farmers are well into seeding their crops for 2022, according to Wednesday’s crop report from Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The report noted planting of corn, soybeans and spring cereals started late last week — the exception being where there are heavier soils. OMAFRA projected planting could be 80 […] Read more

Critical benefits of snowpack diminish for winter wheat

Critical benefits of snowpack diminish for winter wheat

Science Notes: Less snow could see a deep freeze for winter crops

University of Minnesota scientists are partnering with a global team to study the complex effects of climate change on winter crops.  Warming winters may sound like a welcome change for some farmers because the change in temperature could reduce freezing stress on plants and create more ideal conditions for growing overwinter cash crops and winter […] Read more

Weather conditions make for minimal planting progress

Weather conditions make for minimal planting progress

OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week of April 25

Due to cool temperatures and wet conditions (in some areas) over the past week, essentially no meaningful acreage of corn or soybeans have been planted. Most field activities thus far have been field preparation such as manure applications and tillage. Winter wheat Fields that went into last winter in good shape, with uniform emergence and […] Read more

Emerging winter wheat plants. (File photo by Laura Rance)

Not warm enough yet for accurate read on Ontario winter crops

MarketsFarm –– The crop report on Wednesday from Ontario’s ministry of agriculture, food and rural affairs (OMAFRA) notes a lack of temperatures warm enough to accurately assess winter crops and/or to begin spring planting. OMAFRA determined winter wheat that was seeded on time looks healthier than what was planted later in the fall. Also, water […] Read more


Despite some areas of the province experiencing some cold temperatures and lack of snow insulation, winterkill should be low, according to agronomist Dale Cowan.

Winter wheat crop decision day coming soon

The crop is less than ideal, but buying out of contracts can be expensive

Throughout Ontario the 2022 winter wheat is looking … okay. As of March 3, most of the winter wheat crop was still under snow cover and had not accumulated many growing degree days, but that doesn’t mean growers shouldn’t be paying attention to their crop and scouting as the wheat begins to enter “green-up” phase […] Read more

CBOT January 2022 soybeans (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (yellow, dark green and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soy, corn set multi-month highs

South American crop uncertainty, chart-based buying are factors

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures closed higher on Friday, hitting a 2-1/2 month top on worries about South American crop weather coupled with chart-based buying, traders said. Corn futures set a four-month high near $6 a bushel and wheat followed the firm trend (all figures US$). Chicago Board of Trade January soybeans settled […] Read more

Winter wheat planting has been hindered by a very wet fall. Growers unable to plant this fall will still have spring cereals as an option, which can be frost seeded in March.

Wet fall created tough conditions for winter wheat planting

Crop advisors say there is still opportunity for growers to plant a successful crop

Wet weather from mid-September into October made it difficult for growers to plant winter wheat this fall.  The 2021 soybean harvest started well, with signs of an early harvest, but rain started in mid-September and continued to limit progress. “A lot of (growers) got into the field around the traditional farm show time, and then […] Read more


The seed head of chess grass extending beyond a winter wheat canopy.

Grassy weeds in winter wheat at harvest

OMAFRA Field Crop Report for July 28

Three different types of grassy weeds have been found above the winter wheat canopy at harvest this year. To prevent them from becoming a problem, they need to be identified so that the appropriate management actions can be taken. Here is a breakdown of each grass species and control options. Chess grass (Bromus secalinus) Management: Chess grass […] Read more

CBOT September 2021 wheat (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (yellow, orange and green lines). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: CBOT wheat snaps winning streak

Chicago corn, soybeans also fall

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade soft red winter wheat futures plunged 2.6 per cent on Thursday, snapping a six-session streak of gains as traders locked in profits from the rally. Soybean futures were down two per cent, with the latest weather forecasts showing that some timely rains will arrive in key growing […] Read more