U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared on Friday afternoon that “effective immediately” the U.S. Department of Agriculture would not be enforcing country of origin labeling rules for beef and pork. It’s been over seven years since American packers were forced to segregate Canadian animals and meat. How quickly can they go back to operating how... Read More
Category: Markets
Grain prices have swayed back and forth this week thanks to some aggressive reactions to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate increase on Wednesday, as well as a little short-covering, and (barely) bullish weather concerns out of Brazil. Most of the complex ended the week lower though than it started, with oats being the biggest... Read More
After 13-plus years of opposition — the last seven of those in legal and trade disputes, Canadian livestock producers and their organizations are celebrating the end of U.S. country of origin labeling legislation for beef and pork today. Both the U.S. House and Senate voted in favour of the omnibus appropriations bill that includes text... Read More
These are exciting times for lentil growers, with record Canadian lentil acres projected for 2016. Red lentil bids in Western Canada have spiked into the C$0.50/lb range due to a combination of poor growing conditions in India and the lower value of the Canadian dollar relative to U.S. currency. "There's no question we're going to... Read More
Update Dec 18, 2015: Both the U.S. House and Senate voted in favour of the legislation, including the text to repeal COOL, on Friday. The bill now heads to the White House for President Obama's approval. With retaliation from Canada and Mexico looming, the U.S. government took a step late Tuesday toward repealing its mandatory... Read More
Australia's largest grain company has announced plans to expand its footprint in Western Canada. GrainCorp, through a joint venture with large Japanese agricultural cooperative Zen-Noh Group, says it will spend at least C$90 million over the next two years in setting up grain delivery sites in Alberta and Saskatchewan. “A key part of GrainCorp’s value... Read More
After three record crops around the world, grain prices are under heavy pressure from ample supplies. The impact is probably felt nowhere more than in the U.S., as the strength of the U.S. dollar is also restricting exports. Some analysts are saying it will take a major weather issue — maybe a flip from El... Read More
This past week saw a lot of reports from various places, but the report that most outside markets are waiting for will come from the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday, December 16th, as the Fed will decide whether it's raising U.S. interest rates or not. The Canadian Loonie continues to struggle against the U.S. dollar,... Read More
The beef price cycle certainly appears to have peaked, as Canadian cattle prices have dropped below year-ago levels in the last few weeks. Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock and RealAg’s Shaun Haney try to look through the fog of what’s happening in the beef market, with dropping prices and increasing protein supplies across North America,... Read More
The P&H Milling Group, with support from the Ontario government, is building the first flour mill in Ontario in 75 years. Ontario Minister of Agriculture Jeff Leal made the announcement on Monday at Parrish & Heimbecker’s Hamilton Harbour location, where the new bulk mill is expected to commence operation in 2016. The expansion will allow... Read More