CNS Canada — Feedlot demand for cash barley is weakening slightly as cattle producers prepare to turn animals loose on pastures, but prices are still hanging in there, according to one participant. “Farmers aren’t really selling a whole lot at these levels,” said Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities in the feedlot alley near Lethbridge, […] Read more

Feed barley feeling ‘downward sag,’ trader says
Spring run on fertilizer creates challenges
CNS Canada — Seasonal challenges are popping up for fertilizer users this spring, according to the president of Manitoba’s Keystone Agricultural Producers — but Dan Mazier says they’re not your typical ones. “The supply seems to be all right; definitely anhydrous ammonia is available,” he said. However, he’s heard some reports that this year’s phosphate […] Read more

Malt barley seeding well ahead of normal
CNS Canada — Barley seeding is well underway across Western Canada and almost complete in southern Alberta, according to the head of the Barley Council of Canada. “We’re two weeks ahead here in southern Alberta, there’s guys that have wrapped up; they’re done seeding already,” said council president Brian Otto. On his own farm at […] Read more

Cattle prices seen as strong for year to come
CNS Canada –– Canada’s cattle industry should continue to see high prices for animals at auctions over the next year or so while operators try to rebuild their herds, industry participants predict. “Typical risks for cattle prices are the Canadian dollar and feed costs for cow-calf producers and feeders,” said Brian Perillat, a manager and […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Canola drifts downward in rangebound trading
CNS Canada –– ICE Futures Canada canola contracts chopped around in sideways trading during the week ended Wednesday, before settling slightly lower. Activity was volatile with values generally staying within a $10 range, analysts said. Gains in the U.S. soy complex were responsible for much of the support canola saw over the five-day period, along […] Read more

Uncertainty over mustard acreage helps underpin market
CNS Canada –– Mustard acreage in Western Canada looks to remain relatively firm compared to last year’s total, according to an expert in the industry. However, he noted, ambiguity surrounding just how many acres will be seeded is keeping prices firm. Walter Dyck of Wisconsin-based Olds Products said there are few carry-over supplies of mustard […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Corn, soy feel slight technical pressure
CNS Canada — Chicago Board of Trade corn and soybean markets trended slightly lower during the week ended Wednesday, but weather concerns for both grains helped keep the bottom from falling out. “We’re a little dry out in the west here and we’re probably too moist, east and southeast,” said Brian Rydlund, a market analyst […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Canola treads water waiting for news
CNS Canada — ICE Futures Canada canola futures moved slightly higher during the week ended Wednesday, as values stayed mostly rangebound amid a dearth of fresh fundamental news. “The open interest is going down because the funds have been liquidating their positions; down under 10,000 contracts,” said analyst Wayne Palmer of Agri-Trend Marketing in Winnipeg,. […] Read more

Man. corn planting seen starting last week of April
CNS Canada –– The dry bias to this year’s spring, along with recent warm temperatures, leads one Manitoba agronomist to conclude corn will soon be going into the ground. “By the last week in April… unless some weather shift happens,” said Morgan Cott, agronomist for the Manitoba Corn Growers Association. Excess moisture shortened last year’s […] Read more

Pork prices near bottom but should climb soon, analyst says
CNS Canada — Over a year after porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) tore into North America’s hog supply, hog production is on the upswing — but the same can’t be said for prices. “I would say prices are likely nearing the bottom. We should start to rebound here once barbecue season sets in,” said Brad Marceniuk, […] Read more