Brussels | Reuters — The European Commission said on Tuesday it set restrictions until June 5 on imports of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed to ease the excess supply of these grains in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The EU executive arm said that during that period, Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and […] Read more
EU sets Ukraine grain import restrictions in five countries until June 5
Supports pledged for farmers in those countries
Go bigger on interswitching pilot, grain groups urge Ottawa
Railways say the measure creates inefficiencies; farm groups say the opposite is true
Farm groups from across the country are asking producers to lobby federal ministers and MPs and urge them to super-size a government proposal for what’s called ‘extended interswitching.’ The measure, part of this spring’s federal budget, essentially gives grain shippers a choice in which railway they deal with (as long as the competitor’s line is […] Read more
Deal reached to resume Ukraine grain transit with five EU countries
Agreement includes support package for local farmers
Brussels | Reuters — The European Commission said Friday it had reached a deal in principle to allow transit of Ukrainian grain to resume through five European Union countries that had imposed restrictions. Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia cited concerns that grain from Ukraine meant to be exported to other countries had ended up […] Read more
Railways push back on feds’ proposed interswitching revival
Railways also oppose ban on replacement workers
With Easter less than two weeks away, an Easter egg in the federal government’s 2023 budget calls for a new pilot program to again provide Prairie grain shippers with extended interswitching. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s budget, released Tuesday, laid out a list of investments to “further strengthen Canada’s transportation systems and supply chain infrastructure.” A […] Read more
Grain producers give railways credit where due
A mild winter has helped keep grain moving with few disruptions, but there are some concerns about containers
Reading Time: 4 minutes In the history of Prairie grain farming, a headline saying farmers are happy with the railways is not seen often, but it’s apt for this crop year. CN recently announced a record-setting February in which it moved more than 2.4 million tonnes of grain from Western Canada that month. CP had similar reasons to boast, […] Read more
Spring road bans loom across Prairies
Mid-March weight limits pending for heavy trucks
MarketsFarm — The looming spring melt across Western Canada will likely disrupt some grain and livestock movement over the next few weeks, as seasonal spring road restrictions come into effect across the Prairies. Spring road restrictions set axle weight limits for vehicles moving on certain roads to reduce the damage heavier loads can cause during […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prices slip during quiet January
Shortages of trucks, drivers still trouble cattle sector
MarketsFarm — With January being a quiet time there’s isn’t a whole lot of direction for feed grains, according to Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. Prices for feed barley and wheat have been slowing slipping, he said — especially with feedlots not having to buy and farmers not needing to sell — […] Read more
Railways over revenue cap in drought year, CTA finds
CN, CP now owe $5.7 million in overages, penalties
Despite a dramatically lower Prairie grain handle in the last crop year, the Western Grains Research Foundation can expect a $5.7 million gift card from Canada’s big two railways by the end of next month. The Canadian Transportation Agency, which sets the maximum revenue entitlements (MREs) each crop year for Prairie grain handled by Canadian […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley, wheat prices pull back
Truck shortage 'hasn't gotten any better'
MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley and wheat are coming down on the Prairies, said Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton — and a big part of that trend is the lack of demand for either commodity. “Buyers are fairly well covered. There seems to be a lack of desire for buyers to […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybean futures rise
Chicago wheat, corn values fall
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose on Tuesday, supported by a round of bargain buying after two days of losses as well as signs that export demand remains strong, traders said. Corn and wheat futures weakened on a round of profit taking after hitting 10-day highs early in the session, with light demand […] Read more
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