(Country Guide file photo)

Lower loonie helps farmers, but only so much

CNS Canada — The slumping price of oil continues to weigh on the Canadian dollar, while at the same time providing a boost to Canadian grain prices. Out-of-country buyers tend to more attracted to Canadian grain and wheat when the loonie is low, as they can get more product for their money. However, one market […] Read more


(Lisa Guenther photo)

CBOT weekly outlook: Corn stays within range

CNS Canada –– Chicago Board of Trade corn futures stayed mostly range-bound for the week ended Wednesday; the corn market ebbed and flowed with crude oil and ideas of demand. However, it also felt technical pressure, according to Sean Lusk, a co-director at the commercial hedging services division of Walsh Trading in Chicago. “Corn keeps […] Read more

(Michael Thompson photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. grains: Wheat snaps rally, soy firm, corn flat

Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. wheat futures fell on Wednesday on fund-driven technical selling and a proposal by Russia’s farm ministry to cut a wheat export tax, which tempered speculation about export restrictions. Corn coasted for the second straight day, while soybean futures rose on dry weather concerns in South America and southern Africa. At […] Read more


(FarmersEdge.ca)

Major investment to build Farmers Edge’s data power

Canadian precision agronomy and farm data management firm Farmers Edge plans to keep taking its services to previously underserved acres around the world, with a major cash infusion from a group of its backers. Japanese commodities trading and investment firm Mitsui, Toronto commercial real estate company Osmington and the Green Growth Fund operated by investment […] Read more

Russia said considering export duties for corn, barley

Moscow | Reuters –– Russia’s agriculture ministry is considering introducing an export duty for corn and barley, Russian news agency Interfax reported Wednesday, citing First Deputy Minister Evgenii Gromyko. “We will discuss this question,” he said. Gromyko added that the question was planned to be discussed at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, […] Read more





(Jack Dykinga photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Environment commissioner criticizes neonic registrations

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada’s official environmental watchdog on Tuesday expressed concern that authorities were allowing the long-term use of pesticides linked to bee deaths despite not having enough information about the products. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) can grant a five-year provisional license to some products to give manufacturers time to provide […] Read more