Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

Apr. 25, 2012 at 5:05 pm CDT

ICE Futures Canada canola contracts have climbed higher in recent days, with the old-crop months posting the largest gains. The spread between the old- and new-crop contracts is expected to continue to widen, as tightening old-crop supplies will be countered by expectations for record production in 2012. As of the […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Apr. 24, 2012 at 5:40 pm CDT

Canadian farmers intend to plant more of just about everything in 2012, according to the Statistics Canada planting intentions report released Tuesday, as favourable returns and improved moisture conditions could see very few acres lying fallow this summer. With canola, wheat, barley and most of the other major crops grown […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Apr. 20, 2012 at 8:55 am CDT

The new voluntary Canadian Wheat Board may be looking to branch out to market other commodities, particularly canola, in time for the 2012-13 crop. However, the CWB is currently focused on transitioning its traditional wheat, durum, and barley marketing to an open market, and the introduction of new commodities is […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Apr. 18, 2012 at 5:22 pm CDT

Recent precipitation across a large portion of Alberta will help improve moisture levels in the province, as seeding operations are set to get underway for the year. Some barley and spring wheat was already seeded in southern Alberta over the past week, before precipitation and colder temperatures halted that activity, […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Apr. 11, 2012 at 4:30 am CDT

Drought concerns in Spain and Morocco could bode well for Canadian durum exports, as the two Mediterranean countries are both major producers of the crop. "The dryness in Morocco has been building since December, and we’ve seen it continue to build," said Stuart McMillan, a weather and crop analyst with […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin