CNS Canada — As oil prices plunge across North America, the impact on Canadian farmers is starting to be felt in several conflicting, but noticeable ways, according to Prairie farm leaders and market-watchers. As of Friday afternoon the price of oil had fallen to just above C$66 a barrel, with some analysts predicting it would […] Read more

Drop in oil values a double-edged sword for Canadian ag

Peas seen gaining strength in second half of export year
CNS Canada — Prices for Canadian green and yellow peas stand to increase as the 2014-15 export year rolls along, in part due to weather damage from excess moisture as well as continued demand from Asia, according to an industry-watcher. āIām more optimistic for yellow peas just because we can really see strong demand later […] Read more
Corn, soy chop around waiting for harvest to conclude
CNS Canada — ICE soybeans finished higher for the week ended Wednesday on volatile trade as demand for supplies outweighed concerns over the growing potential of the crop in South America. Traders will likely square positions and look for bargains during the next week of trading on the corn and soybean market, according to a […] Read more

El Nino to bring cold and dry conditions to Prairies
CNS Canada –– While speculation continues to swirl over the impact El Nino will have on North America, one weather expert says it’s still a month or two away from taking shape. “Nino is likely to evolve; until that happens, the warmer and drier bias we normally associate with it won’t be in place,” said […] Read more
Prairie farm leaders peg water damage in the billions
CNS Canada — Farm leaders from Manitoba and Saskatchewan hope a new lobby group of stakeholders from both provinces can bring some long-term solutions to excess water problem that have led to billions of dollars in damages. Last week about 150 people met in Regina to discuss the way forward for the Assiniboine River Basin […] Read more
Soil watchers see areas of concern across Prairies
CNS Canada — Excess moisture reigns supreme as the main hurdle for Prairie farmers when they look ahead to spring — but some areas are still too dry, according to soil experts. “A few areas of southern Manitoba have been drying out. The area around Morden has been drier the last couple of months,” said […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Canola feeling soy pressure
CNS Canada –– ICE Futures canola contracts were mixed during the week ended Wednesday, with the most-active January contract feeling pressure from declines in the U.S. soy complex. With the harvest over and no major reports scheduled within the next seven days, it is difficult to see canola breaking very far one way or the […] Read more

Churchill caps off challenging year
CNS Canada — The harsh winter of 2013-14 appears to have taken a toll on the tonnage of grain and oilseeds shipped through Hudson Bay during its now-concluded shipping season. Just 540,000 tonnes of wheat and other products including durum and canola were shipped through the Port of Churchill in 2014. Last year, that number […] Read more

Better-than-expected lentil crop faces market volatility
CNS Canada –– Despite a summer of excess moisture across much of the Prairies, lentils fared better than earlier expectations, according to Bobby Leavins, operations manager for Rayglen Commodities in Saskatoon. However, the crop’s grade spread is still very wide and prices are expected to be wide-ranging over the winter. “With all the moisture a […] Read more

Mustard facing stiff Ukrainian competition
CNS Canada — Canadian mustard prices are holding steady but facing stiff competition from Ukraine, according to market participants. “What the market is seeing (for a) bid is 32 to 33 cents for yellow. A bit in the high 20s for brown mustard,” said Walter Dyck, a buyer with Wisconsin-based Olds Food Products. Values are […] Read more