There have been dramatic impacts on the Canadian and global economy due to COVID-19. In the midst of all of this, one might wonder where the global and domestic economies are headed and what the future might bring. "The first thing that comes to mind when you think of things being unprecedented, more than anything... Read More
Category: Markets
Grain markets ended the second week of trading in August mostly in the green, despite a bearish WASDE report from the USDA that suggested record national average yields for both corn and soybeans. Arguably, these yields have been priced in though, and the complex rallied on a devasting “derecho” windstorm in Iowa and some solid... Read More
The USDA boosted its yield estimates for corn and soybeans in its August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). While the report was generally thought of as bearish, both corn and soybean futures ended the trading day on Wednesday higher. The department's first survey-based corn yield forecast comes in at a record 181.8 bushels... Read More
Domestically, Canada's agri-food system is facing a lot of challenges, but the pressures aren't from just within the country. Many newly-felt pressures are from external forces. A new report from Agri-Food Economy Systems based out of Guelph, Ont., outlines these new pressures on agri-food policy in Canada. The list of those pressures in the report... Read More
There are 54 grading factors for wheat included in the grain grading guide provided by the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC), but many may be surprised to learn that falling number isn't one of them. It may not be a grading factor, but falling number is used as a world standard in the grain and flour... Read More
Grain markets took a nosedive in their first week of trading in August, as yield forecasts get updated, weather pressures subside, and traders prepare for next Wednesday’s WASDE report. Put simply, the closer we get to combines rolling, the more of the supply number gets baked into the current prices. Reality is, that new JD... Read More
By many accounts, if the sun shines and the creek don't rise, there's a monster spring wheat crop coming in the west. But don't just take our word for it; mounting evidence from several sources points to a rather large spring wheat supply building in Western Canada. Jon Driedger, senior market analyst with LeftField Commodity... Read More
Many Canadian ag exporters may have wished that they had hedged the dollar a bit more. The Canadian dollar has climbed recently, making its way back to pre-COVID levels, around the US$0.755 mark. It's hard to know what to expect for the second half of 2020. Jon Driedger of LeftField Commodity Research recently joined Shaun... Read More
Grain markets ended the month of July in the red, albeit, from a monthly performance standpoint, it wasn’t all bad news bears. Chicago wheat prices gained nearly 40 cents, or 8%, while canola and soybean prices both improved by about 2.5%. However, while corn prices lost about a quarter, or 7.5%, in the month of... Read More
It's the last Friday of July, and the summer is just continuing to roar along. If you're in Western Canada, you know it's hot hot hot. Currently in the beef markets, there is a lot of discussion surrounding where we are at for demand for proteins. We've got some economic headwinds, and we've got issues... Read More