When we look at the cost of gain, it's historically high. As Anne Wasko of the Gateway Livestock Exchanger explains in our latest Beef Market Update, we have reached record highs for cost of gain — with the second highest year on record being last year. "We're in this environment, the last two years, where... Read More
Category: Markets
As farmers contemplate a multitude of variables heading into this growing season, crop prices are favourable, indeed. Favourable does not mean stress-free by any means. With commodity prices hovering high for numerous crops, many farmers have yet to pull the trigger on locking in prices with the optimism and hope that those numbers will continue... Read More
Fertilizer pricing and supply have been real challenges for some growers across the country heading into the 2022 growing season. Farm and industry groups have been pushing governments to remove potential barriers, as many farmers are within a month of putting seed in the ground. Whether it has been the pandemic, shipping congestion, production failures,... Read More
A difficult fall, with too much rain, late planting and reduced acres, made for a tough Ontario wheat crop heading into winter. As we move into late March, the crop is looking good and RealAgriculture's resident wheat guru Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson is enthusiastic about prospects for the crop. On this latest Wheat School episode,... Read More
Update, as of early March 22: CP Rail and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference have agreed to binding arbitration, ending the work stoppage as it extended into its third day. Normal business operations for the railway are supposed to resume on Tuesday, March 22. The ongoing work stoppage at Canadian Pacific Railway is forcing canola... Read More
After a few years' pause, the Bank of Canada increased the overnight rate March 2, 2022. Analysts suggests it's the first of at leasts two or more increases for this calendar year alone, to try and cool inflation (that is sitting just below 6 per cent at last report). For lines of credit, variable rate... Read More
As the calendar makes its way through March, Anne Wasko, of the Gateway Livestock Exchange, says we are running short on time for a surprise spring rally. On the demand side, things are looking really good. However, it's posing a bit of a problem, as it's not translating to the cash cattle side, do to... Read More
It seems the only certainty in the ag industry is knowing there will always be a level of uncertainty. Knowing this, Agricultural Economic Insights (AEI) have designed a tool to help farmers forecast commodity prices within specific timeframes, share their predictions, and even get a payout if they are the most accurate. David Widmar, with... Read More
Nutrien Ltd. has announced that in response to the uncertainty of potash supply from Eastern Europe, it plans to increase potash product capability to approximately 15 million tonnes in 2022. This is an increase of nearly one million tonnes compared to previous expectations, with the majority of additional volume expected to be produced in the... Read More
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP Rail) has triggered the 72-hour notice required for a lockout of over 3,000 conductors, engineers and other railway employees who are members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC). Unless the union and railway reach a negotiated settlement or agree to binding arbitration in the meantime, the lockout would begin at... Read More