India’s tariffs remain on pulses, but whether they continue may ultimately depend on monsoon rains from June to September.

International politics add to uncertainty for crops in 2019

Canada’s diplomatic spat with China among the factors that may influence demand for canola

Reading Time: 5 minutes [UPDATED Feb. 26, 2019] Some producers are responding to the market while planning their spring planting decisions. Others are going with tried-and-true rotations. But everyone is watching the weather and geopolitical events. “From a pulse perspective, things have improved a lot since the fall of 2017, when India closed its markets. Prices have risen some, but […] Read more

Since this video titled “Why MRLs matter” came out nearly three years ago, the threat of maximum residue limits being used to block Canadian crop exports has become even more serious, say market experts.

Even as tariffs fall, new trade barriers arise

Protectionists don’t give up when their government signs a free trade deal

Reading Time: 4 minutes Donald Trump might not get his wall — but other invisible walls are going up around the world. “We’re in an era of protectionism, and in an era of protectionism, we have governments and regulators that are looking for any excuse to block trade,” said Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada. “So we can’t give […] Read more



The number of Canadian producers raising EU-eligible beef has tripled in the past year.

European beef exports growing, but still small

Reading Time: < 1 minute The number of Canadian producers raising EU-eligible beef has tripled in the past year — but the number remains small, says the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. In a recent newsletter, the CCA says its “best estimate” is that more than 100 producers have enrolled in a certification program that ensures they’re not using growth-enhancing products. But […] Read more


The U.S. Soybean Export Council still set up a booth at a major trade expo in Shanghai earlier this month — even though soybean exports to China have come to a virtual standstill. But Canada’s ag sector will emerge stronger when the current trade turmoil subsides, says a new report.

There’s light at the end of the trade war tunnel

Prices will return to normal and ag exports will continue to grow

Reading Time: 3 minutes Canada’s battle to renegotiate a free trade deal with the U.S. appears to be over, but global trade wars rage on — and that means producers can expect volatile markets for some time to come. But in the long run, it should all work out fine, says a new analysis by Farm Credit Canada on […] Read more

Trade agreement a big deal for canola growers

Trade agreement a big deal for canola growers

Trans-Pacific Partnership trade accord comes as canola acreage poised to grow once again

Reading Time: 4 minutes The timing couldn’t be better. Tariffs on Canadian canola oil into Asia could be scrapped as early as January if the new Trans-Pacific trade deal goes into effect. And that’s good news as canola growers seem poised to boost acreage this coming spring. Canada ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) late […] Read more


Photo: @CanadaTrade Twitter

CPTPP trade agreement ratified

Canada will be among the original six and will gain some benefit from moving early

The last domestic legislative hurdle to enacting the CPTPP trade deal with Pacific rim countries has been cleared. The deal was approved by senate and received Royal Assent the afternoon of Oct. 25. The moves makes Canada one of the first countries to ratify the 11 nation deal which comes into effect once the first […] Read more

Although he’s smiling in this photo, dairy farmer David Wiens says he is deeply worried about the future of the Canadian dairy sector. Many are very pessimistic and some are thinking of exiting the milk business, he said.

USMCA fallout: Some milk producers looking to exit

Dairy leaders looking for a ‘way forward’ but many are questioning their future in the sector

Reading Time: 6 minutes Dairy farmers in Alberta and across Canada are considering whether there’s a future in their sector — or if they should get out of the business, say farm leaders. Some may do that before the year is out, said David Wiens, vice-president of Dairy Farmers of Canada. “Over the next few months as we look […] Read more


Canada’s dairy industry is facing “death by a thousand cuts” from concessions in back-to-back international trade agreements, said Alberta Milk general manager Mike Southwood.

Another blow for Canada’s dairy industry

Dairy farmers frustrated and disappointed but other farm sectors welcome the NAFTA replacement

Reading Time: 5 minutes Many Canadians breathed a collective sigh of relief when Canada, the U.S., and Mexico agreed to a new trade agreement at the end of September. But for the country’s dairy industry, this proposed deal is just another in a series of blows that is slowly but surely bleeding the industry dry. “This is definitely death […] Read more

Photo: Thinkstock

CBOT weekly outlook: Corn and soy markets awaiting USDA report

CNS Canada – After a week where corn, soybean and wheat contracts climbed on the Chicago Board of Trade, traders are now awaiting the latest supply and demand report from the United States Department of Agriculture. “With the crop report (for) August, which at least over the last five years has historically leaned more bearish […] Read more