MarketsFarm — The ICE Futures canola market saw some large price moves during the week ended Wednesday, hitting fresh contract highs in many months before profit-taking came forward to weigh on values. With canola trading at historically high price levels, the potential volatility in the marketplace can go to extreme levels without much explanation, analyst […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: Volatility day-to-day in bullish canola market
Cattle producers press for lower price insurance premiums
WLPIP is needed, but unused because premiums too expensive, CCA says
The Western Livestock Price Insurance Program is not functioning properly due to very high premiums and needs to be quickly revamped, says the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “We’re having unprecedented volatility for markets. Having tools in place for farmers and ranchers has never been more important,” executive vice-president Dennis Laycraft said during a telephone town hall […] Read more
CME to raise hog futures trading limits as swine fever fuels volatility
New daily limit of 3.75 U.S. cents proposed for mid-April
Chicago | Reuters — CME Group said Thursday it plans to increase daily trading limits for its lean hog futures in April, then adjust them annually because of heightened volatility linked to the outbreak of a fatal pig disease in China. The spread of African swine fever in China, the world’s biggest pork consumer, has […] Read more
Climate change has U.S. fund managers adjusting agriculture investments
New York | Reuters — After historic floods devastated Midwestern agricultural states this spring, some fund managers are evaluating how climate change will affect the long-term value of companies that make or sell products ranging from tractors to fertilizer. The issue is not simply the unpredictability of weather. Instead, fund managers say, they are struggling […] Read more
Trade rows spell gain, and pain, for U.S. grain exporters
Chicago | Reuters — Global grain marketers have seized upon trade tensions between the United States and several of its top export markets, including China, to turn around struggling trading units following one of the toughest years ever for the industry. After five years of bumper harvests worldwide that depressed crop prices, trading margins are […] Read more
Market shifts, weather push back Food Freedom Day
Food Freedom Day, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s bellwether of affordability for food in Canada, is a day later in 2018. The CFA on Wednesday announced that by its calculations, a Canadian household of average income has earned enough to pay an entire year’s grocery bill on Friday, Feb. 9. Canadians spent 11 per cent […] Read more
CME plans no more changes to cattle contract for now
Chicago | Reuters — CME Group plans no further moves to reduce volatility in its cattle futures market, after making a series of changes to rein in wild price swings that drove away hedgers, a managing director said on Wednesday. Over the past two years, the exchange operator, which owns the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and […] Read more
Dreyfus sees recovery after two-year profit slide
Paris | Reuters — Louis Dreyfus’ core earnings fell for a second year in 2016 amid a persistent high supply of crops, but the agricultural commodity trader said a revamp of operations should help results this year. Large inventories, low prices and limited volatility have curbed margins in the past two years for companies that […] Read more
CME mulls cash settlement for volatile cattle market
Chicago | Reuters –– CME Group is considering switching to a cash settlement process for its live cattle futures, a managing director said Thursday, as traders continued to complain about extreme volatility. Dave Lehman, managing director of commodity research and product development, said discussions about the new settlement procedure were part of an all-encompassing review […] Read more
‘Extreme’ volatility expected in wheat markets this spring
Winnipeg | CNS Canada — Canadian and U.S. wheat markets are likely going to experience some “extreme” volatility this spring, Lawrence Yakielashek of FarmLink Marketing Solutions told the Wild Oats Grainworld Conference. “The spring months are when the firecrackers are going to start to hit the match,” he added. He predicted there would be a […] Read more
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