ICE October 2018 canola, with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Canola still watching soy, weather

CNS Canada — ICE Futures canola contracts moved off their nearby lows over the week ended Wednesday as persistent harvest delays provided support. Additional strength, however, may be dependent on movement in the Chicago soybean market. “Soybeans will be the driving force behind which way canola futures go,” said commodities investment advisor David Derwin of […] Read more



It breaks your heart — and sends your stress levels soaring: Irmi and Barry Critcher in a canola field this summer and in the same field earlier this month.

The long wait: Delayed harvest wears you down

The stress isn’t just in the mind — and talking things out will lessen those physiological drivers

Reading Time: 5 minutes Fatigue when working long hours is a serious safety concern on farms — but another kind of exhaustion often sets in when farmers want to be out in the field, but are hampered by poor weather. “Even though we aren’t actually combining and it’s not physically taxing, the fatigue can still be there,” said Hannah […] Read more

Rain, snow continue to mess with harvest, now well behind five-year average

Alberta crop conditions as of September 18, 2018

Reading Time: 2 minutes Cold, wet weather has been the norm the past several days in almost all areas of the province, halting harvest progress. In addition to the rain/snow mix, frost has been highly variable. Alberta’s harvest as a whole is down 23.4 points over last year at this time for binned crops. With the exception of North […] Read more



(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. grains: Soybeans rebound from 10-year low

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose roughly two per cent on Wednesday, rebounding a day after the most active contract fell to a 10-year low as the harvest of a likely record-large U.S. crop got under way, analysts said. U.S. wheat futures climbed on technical buying and tightening global supplies, while corn futures […] Read more


(Lisa Guenther photo)

CBOT weekly outlook: Spec selling pressures corn, soy

CNS Canada — A recent round of contract selling by speculators has created a bearish outlook for corn and soybeans. Recently, both crops suffered losses after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released production estimates on Sept. 12 that were higher than expected. According to a trader, these and other challenges have painted a bearish picture […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market eyes April live cattle futures

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $3 higher. Strength in the deferred live cattle futures, particularly the April contract, spilt over into the cash feeder market. Limited supplies of yearlings also contributed to the firmer tone. Feedlots have been patiently securing heavier replacements, but we’re now on the home […] Read more

CBOT December 2018 corn, with 20-day moving average in orange. (Barchart.com)

U.S. grains: Corn slips to contract lows

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures fell about one per cent on Monday, with nearby months hitting contract lows as the harvest of a bumper crop picked up speed in the Midwest and early yield reports were strong, traders said. Soybean futures also declined on harvest progress, along with disappointing U.S. soy crush data […] Read more