Reuters — Chicago grains closed lower Thursday on lower-than-expected U.S. soybean export sales data, and favourable weather that would allow for planting to accelerate in the Midwest farm belt. Grains prices were also impacted by crude oil falling. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said soybean weekly export sales totalled 103,000 tonnes, below forecasts. “Export sales […] Read more
U.S. grains: Chicago grains down on export data, weather
EU transit plan, Black Sea inspections temper Ukraine fears
World could face record temperatures in 2023 as El Nino returns
New record highs 'more likely than not'
Brussels | Reuters — The world could breach a new average temperature record in 2023 or 2024, fuelled by climate change and the anticipated return of the El Nino weather phenomenon, climate scientists say. Climate models suggest that after three years of the La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean, which generally lowers global […] Read more
World production seen up with more corn, soybeans
IGC holds wheat production estimate steady
MarketsFarm — As the International Grains Council (IGC) raised its estimate for total world grain production in 2023-24, its forecast on corn and soybeans were increased as well. Meanwhile, production estimates for wheat were held steady. The London-based IGC issued its latest supply and demand report on Thursday. World grain production was bumped up by […] Read more
More grain for European Union in 2023-24, USDA projects
Larger production seen reducing need for imports
MarketsFarm — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) attaché in Madrid is projecting an increase in grain production for the European Union (EU) in 2023-24. In USDA’s Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report released Wednesday, the attaché pegged the EU’s 2023-24 grain production at 284.7 million tonnes, 17.9 million more than this year’s crop which […] Read more
U.S. grains: Chicago futures dip as Ukraine inspections resume
Planting windows seen in U.S. despite rain forecasts
Mexico City | Reuters — Chicago grains and soy futures closed lower on Wednesday after inspections of ships carrying Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea resumed, and crude oil’s dip pressured prices down. A Ukrainian official said that “ship inspections are being resumed, despite the RF’s (Russian Federation’s) attempts to disrupt the agreement.” Kyiv faces […] Read more
Spring’s a good time for preventing residue snafus, say agronomists
Customers are watching and will be checking that Keep It Clean protocols are being followed
Reading Time: 2 minutes Most Alberta growers are on top of their pesticide choices and crop storage, says an Alberta agronomist. But even the most astute farmer can have blind spots and should be periodically checking the Keep It Clean website, said Keith Gabert, an Innisfail-based agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada. He points to malathion in […] Read more
EU plans import curbs on Ukraine grain, farmer supports for border countries
Grain would be let into five countries only for export
Brussels | Reuters — The European Union is preparing 100 million euros (C$147.4 million) in compensation for farmers in five countries bordering Ukraine and plans to introduce restrictions on imports of Ukrainian grains. Pressure has mounted on Brussels to work out a European Union-wide solution after Poland and Hungary banned some imports from Ukraine last […] Read more
Some 155,000 federal public workers on strike over pay dispute
Some AAFC, CGC work to be affected
Ottawa | Reuters — More than 155,000 public sector workers in Canada began a strike Wednesday after failing to reach a wage deal with the federal government by a Tuesday night deadline, in action that will affect tax filings and passport services during peak demand. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) union said contract […] Read more
Ukraine agrees with Poland on resumed grain transit
Ukraine also trying to salvage Black Sea grain deal
Warsaw | Reuters — Poland agreed on Tuesday to lift a ban on the transit of Ukrainian grain and food products, but Ukraine said a wartime deal allowing it to safely ship grain from Black Sea ports was still under threat. Failure to resume exports into eastern European countries or secure an extension of the […] Read more
U.S. grains: Chicago grains flat or higher on Ukraine concerns
Rains expected to cause U.S. planting delays
Mexico City | Reuters — Chicago grain and soy futures closed nearly flat or higher on Tuesday as traders assessed the impact of several countries banning Ukrainian grain, and the future of a Black Sea grains deal remained in doubt. Markets were also eying expected rains in the U.S. that would likely slow planting schedules. […] Read more