Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

Softer fertilizer prices seen likely over winter

Nov. 28, 2012 at 9:12 pm CST

Farmers looking to book fertilizer ahead of next spring can expect to see some softening of prices over the winter months, before seasonal demand picks up and costs rise again, according to a fertilizer market analyst. For nitrogen it will depend on the product, with ammonia likely to see the […]

Sluggish lentil market drifting down

Nov. 22, 2012 at 6:18 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

DDGS cheaper but still too pricey for Canadian feed

Nov. 20, 2012 at 7:10 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Grains, oilseeds seen pulled toward ‘fiscal cliff’

Nov. 16, 2012 at 3:09 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Prairie durum market grows quiet

Nov. 13, 2012 at 7:39 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Canola fundamentals still supportive

Nov. 8, 2012 at 11:15 am CST

ICE Futures Canada canola contracts moved lower during the week ending Wednesday, dropping sharply for two consecutive sessions before uncovering some support to the downside. While further technical declines are possible in the short-term, the fundamentals remain supportive overall, according to an analyst. If actual Canadian canola production in 2012 […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Barley bids reaching plateau in Western Canada

Oct. 29, 2012 at 5:00 pm CDT

Barley prices in the key Lethbridge, Alberta cattle-feeding area have risen steadily over the past two months, but may be nearing their highs for the time being as other commodities are starting to displace barley in rations. Barley is currently trading in the $275 to $285 per tonne level in […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Will the U.S. election matter for Canada’s farmers?

Oct. 18, 2012 at 6:28 pm CDT

Western Canada’s farmers may not get a vote in the upcoming U.S. election, but policy south of the border can have a major effect on the agricultural markets across North America. U.S. agricultural policy “is extremely important… and has always had drastic effects on us,” said Terry Boehm, president of […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Canola stuck in range

Oct. 18, 2012 at 2:44 am CDT

ICE Futures Canada canola contracts have seen some wide price swings over the past week, but are relatively unchanged from where they were only five trading days earlier, with small losses in the two front months and a firmer tone in the more deferred positions. Choppy, range-bound activity is expected […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Mustard has room to the upside

Oct. 16, 2012 at 4:49 pm CDT

A smaller-than-expected mustard crop in Western Canada this year should keep values well supported going forward, especially as end-users look to secure supplies through the spot market, according to an industry official. Yellow mustard and brown mustard bids have some room to the upside, as a number of end-users are […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin