Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

Harvest pressure on confectionery sunflowers

Nov. 5, 2014 at 10:45 am CST

Commodity News Service Canada — The Manitoba sunflower harvest is progressing nicely, which is weighing on confectionery bids despite some quality concerns. “The sunflowers are still coming off… but there shouldn’t be much left by mid-November,” said Mike Durand, of Nestibo Agra in Deloraine, Manitoba. He said both yields and […]

Cheap grain could shore up any Man. forage shortages

Oct. 28, 2014 at 4:00 pm CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Upside likely limited for rising feed barley market

Oct. 23, 2014 at 5:46 pm CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Harvest pressure looms for corn, soybean futures

Oct. 22, 2014 at 6:25 pm CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

U.S. wheat futures rising, but watching corn and beans

Oct. 22, 2014 at 6:20 pm CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Quality, calibre key for chickpeas going forward

Oct. 21, 2014 at 4:17 pm CDT

CNS Canada — Saskatchewan farmers are still putting the finishing touches on this year’s chickpea harvest, with quality and calibre the two most important pricing factors to watch going forward. “We’re seeing a wide range of quality — everything from decent to significantly damaged,” said Colin Young of Midwest Investments […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Relative oats strength running into resistance

Oct. 21, 2014 at 4:02 pm CDT

CNS Canada –– Oats bids in Western Canada are holding steady for the time being, but could be due for a setback given the weak U.S. corn market and declining nearby demand. “My bias is towards oats prices going down in relation to other commodities,” said Ryan McKnight of Linear […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Canaryseed market quiet, but watching Europe

Oct. 17, 2014 at 8:09 pm CDT

CNS Canada — Saskatchewan’s canaryseed harvest in Saskatchewan is moving along, although with production only up slightly on the year and demand steady for the time being, the market is relatively quiet. European demand, however, could be one supportive influence going forward. Current canaryseed prices range from about 22 to […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Shortlines shortchanged in Western Canada

Oct. 17, 2014 at 7:03 pm CDT

CNS Canada — Western Canada’s shortline railways are getting the short end of the stick as they struggle to meet their own commitments moving grain and other products along their tracks. A backlog of grain on the Prairies over the past winter, linked in part to poor rail movement, prompted […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

ICE weekly outlook: Canola choppy with outside markets

Oct. 15, 2014 at 4:57 pm CDT

CNS Canada –– ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were up and down during the week ended Wednesday, but managed to post gains overall as a weaker Canadian dollar and spillover from the advances in CBOT soybeans provided support. Whether strength in canola will continue remains to be seen. “All of […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin