CBOT November 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soy futures firm to highest since 2016

CBOT corn hits 14-1/2-month high; wheat 'was down all day'

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures firmed on Thursday, hitting their highest in more than four years, with traders citing gains in the cash market and strong export demand for U.S. supplies as supportive factors. A fast export pace also underpinned the corn market while wheat futures eased on technical selling […] Read more

Replacing canals with underground pipes will cut water loss from evaporation and leakage — enough to irrigate an additional 200,000 acres in southern Alberta.

More crop per drop — irrigation gets ‘historic’ cash injection

New $815-million project will irrigate another 200,000 acres without any additional water allocation

Reading Time: 3 minutes There are a lot of big numbers behind a “historic” expansion of southern Alberta’s irrigation system, but also the smallest possible one — zero. That’s the amount of extra water that will, or rather won’t, be needed to add more than 200,000 irrigated acres that will be created by a $815-million project, officials say. “With […] Read more


ICE November 2020 (blue), January 2021 (yellow), March 2021 (orange) and July 2021 (green) canola futures. (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Will canola’s bull market continue?

Loonie's strength has oddly little effect

MarketsFarm — Canola has been seeing terrific days on ICE Futures so far in October, thanks to a bull market generated by good demand and further supported by traders looking to roll out of their November contracts as those soon expire. As October winds down, the big question is: will canola’s ride come to an […] Read more

CBOT December 2020 corn with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn, soy rise on export hopes

Wheat futures dip on profit taking

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn and soybean futures rose on Wednesday, as concerns about dry conditions in key global production areas of South America boosted export prospects for both U.S. commodities. Strength in the cash market also supported gains in corn and soybean futures, traders said. CBOT soft red winter wheat […] Read more



MGEX December 2020 wheat (candlesticks) compared against CBOT December 2020 wheat (orange line). (Barchart)

CBOT weekly outlook: Export demand supports wheat, soy

Lower U.S. dollar also supportive

MarketsFarm — Strong global demand, paired with concerns of dry growing conditions in key regions, has spurred U.S. wheat prices higher. “Some countries are getting nervous with the persistent dryness in several regions, which could reduce the supply of quality global wheat,” said Terry Reilly of Futures International in Chicago. Dry growing conditions in Ukraine, […] Read more


BHP’s Saskatchewan potash mine project is set up north of Jansen, about 65 km southeast of Humboldt. (BHP.com)

BHP covers added costs for potash project

Long-awaited decision by BHP board now expected mid-2021

“Challenges” in completing the shafts for its Saskatchewan potash project have led the world’s biggest mining company to top up the project budget by 10 per cent. BHP, in an operational review document released Tuesday for its quarter ending Sept. 30, said its board has approved another $272 million to complete the watertight concrete and […] Read more

A wireworm in a potato in close-up. (MegaV0lt/iStock/Getty Images)

Wireworms a target for first Group 30 insecticide in Canada

BASF picks up registration for two broflanilide products

The list of insecticides cleared for use in Canadian crops now includes its first Group 30 chemistry, as BASF makes plans to launch it in new wireworm control products next year. BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions on Monday announced approval from Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for broflanilide, a GABA-gated chloride channel allosteric modulator. […] Read more


Pinto beans. (Vergani_Fotografia/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba’s edible beans come off in good shape

MarketsFarm — Manitoba’s edible bean harvest wrapped up in much easier fashion in 2020 compared to the snow delays of the previous year, with relatively good quality and yields, according to early indications. “When you don’t get a major snowstorm on Thanksgiving weekend, it makes a difference,” said Manitoba Agriculture pulse specialist Dennis Lange, noting […] Read more

CBOT November 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn rise on exports

CBOT December wheat extends rally

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures rose on Tuesday on strong export demand while wheat firmed on concerns that dry weather could limit global production, traders said. Soybean futures rose one per cent, with traders shrugging off some much-needed rain in Brazil due to the strong pace of overseas buying. “The grains […] Read more