On the heels of the federal government announcing fertilizer tariff funds would be sent to Ukraine to rebuild the power grid there, Grain Farmers of Ontario has released a report outlining the need for unfettered fertilizer access. Entitled "Farmers Need Fertilizer," the report was authored by Josh Linville, vice president fertilizer with StoneX. It outlines... Read More
Category: Markets
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 0.50 per cent earlier this week, but signalled this may be the beginning of the end for rate hikes. What does this, a tight labour market, and high commodity prices have in store for 2023? J.P. Gervais, chief economist with Farm Credit Canada, spoke this week... Read More
It's not often, and never a good thing, when the basis drops lower than the temperature. Anne Wasko, with the Gateway Livestock Exchange, says that the chilly basis in Western Canada, currently at about -30 to the U.S. cash market, is certainly reason for cattle feeders to look forward to a calendar flip. "It is... Read More
Where Brazil and Mexico have the potential to emerge as hot markets in the longer term, China is a market that one geopolitical analyst says should be sold to when the opportunity arises, but should not be the centre of a trade strategy. Jacob Shapiro with Cognitive Investments strongly cautions Canada, and the U.S. too,... Read More
Plans have been unveiled for another major soybean crush plant to be built in North Dakota. Epitome Energy LLC has announced the construction of a US$400 million facility on the north side of Grand Forks, North Dakota — approximately 120 km (75 miles) south of Emerson, Manitoba. It marks the third — and most northerly... Read More
Farmers in eastern Canada paid millions of dollars more for fertilizer beginning in early 2022 as a result of the federal tariff levied against fertilizer from Russia and Belarus, and now farmers want that money back. Finance Canada says the federal government collected approximately $34.1 million in tariff income on fertilizer imported into Canada from... Read More
The current sideways lull in the grain markets has some feeling somewhat uneasy, wondering if the market bumps higher or breaks to the downside. Given the last 18 months, it feels like anything is possible. But why are the markets trading sideways? Plenty of reasons, says Scott Shellady, host of the Cow Guy Close show... Read More
Jammed-full ports in Ontario are impacting basis and possible longer-term options for cash sales in the province, as laker traffic costs increase and tight freight access puts the squeeze on storage space along the St. Lawrence. Jeff Barlow, farmer from near Hamilton, Ont., and director with Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), doesn't usually ever have... Read More
As we look back on all that has happened in the agricultural commodity markets over the past three years, there's plenty to digest. Depending on where you farm, farmers have felt regret, moments of luck, angst, and joy over decent margins during these turbulent times. The question for me is always, now what? Where do... Read More
If you're tired of hearing words such as "unprecedented" and "new normal," you're not alone. That said, over time, what is average or normal or expected does change and evolve. Take commodity prices, for example. Over the very long term, the bottom level resistance for wheat futures at one time was $2/bushel. Eventually, that rose... Read More