Although we’ve experienced dips in market pricing, there are good reasons to be cautiously optimistic about commodity prices where they are for now, unless we see some significant changes in the local and global landscape. There are many factors that are currently affecting commodity markets. First and foremost is the ever-unfolding situation between Russia and… Read More
Category: Industry Issues
A new white paper document released by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), outlines 13 trends that they say requires the attention of the industry, if we are to keep up with a growing global population and environmental requirements. Megan Tanel, president of AEM, says over the years farmers have been expected to produce more… Read More
Canada is standing by its proposed solution regarding dairy tariff-rate quotas under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), as U.S. dairy groups continue to pressure the White House to escalate the matter. Earlier this week, U.S. trade representative Katherine Tai said Canada’s changes didn’t go far enough, and the proposed solution was a disappointment. Jim Wiesemeyer with Pro… Read More
After Canada defended its standpoint on dairy tariff-rate quotas (TRQs), the U.S. trade representative, Katherine Tai, has released a statement further articulating the country’s “disappointment” with Canada’s unwillingness to make further changes to the TRQs. “The United States is deeply disappointed by Canada’s announcement today regarding its dairy tariff-rate quotas,” says Tai. “Our top priority remains… Read More
Trade tensions are on the rise as some groups are calling on the U.S. government to impose retaliatory tariffs in response to Canada’s handling of dairy tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) under the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA). The call on the U.S. government comes from the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF)… Read More
Looking back to last fall after fertilizer inventories were wiped out, there was cause for concern on what shortage issues we may face come spring, but the markets are proving the opposite to be true. Josh Linville, fertilizer director for StoneX, says one uncertainty is sometimes the only certainty when it comes to the volatility… Read More
Across Canada, we are seeing sky-high diesel prices, with some provinces inching closer to $2 per litre, where other provinces are closing in on $3 per litre, is there light at the end of the tunnel? According to experts, if there is, it’s not coming anytime soon. The market has seen a surge in demand… Read More
Ontario farmers continue to tread water as they look to the government to provide some sort of relief or assistance in regards to the fertilizer shortage that has ensued due to the sanctions put on Russian imports following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Brendan Byrne, chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), says time is… Read More
Even as we enter a third year of COVID-related disruptions, farm and agriculture part stores are still finding it difficult to keep certain items in stock due to supply chain issues that continue to plague the industry. Additionally, for some items, including many petroleum products, the price point has seen a steep increase, with no… Read More
In an effort to gain a better understanding of agriculture on the Prairies, Liberal Member of Parliament for King-Hants in Nova Scotia, Kody Blois, recently visited Saskatchewan to learn about innovation happening in the province, and to hear what challenges producers are facing. Blois serves as the chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture and… Read More
Over the past few years the phrase “unprecedented times” has been used often and for good reason. There has been a continual domino effect of global events that has put a unique strain on many things, especially global trade. The result is that change isn’t coming — it’s here. As a country, Canada needs to… Read More
The 2.5 day shutdown of CP Rail’s network last month was a sharp reminder why rail service, especially for agricultural commodities, should be deemed essential. Although the strike/lockout only lasted from a Sunday to a Tuesday, it caused weeks, even months, of disruption in already-stressed supply chains that rely on trains. The entire system was… Read More
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
Drought, offshore import shortages, and labour disruptions are among several factors CN Rail is juggling as the railway continues to work in overdrive to ensure products and commodities get to where they need to be. Many people likely think of trains running westbound bringing goods to the coast, however in recent times, where it seems… Read More
As producers start to prepare for the upcoming seeding season, equipment manufacturers are also preparing for what could be another successful year for their industry. Despite all of the challenges that came with the pandemic, including persistent supply chain shortages, the ag equipment industry has seen strong sales over the course of the last two… Read More