Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

Crop Week: Oats looking weak, but farmers still in control

Jan. 11, 2012 at 11:12 am CST

The North American oats market is currently bucking the seasonal trends and showing weakness, despite the tightness of Canadian supplies, according to analyst Randy Strychar of OatInsight.com. From a Canadian fundamental standpoint, the country grew a smaller crop in 2011 and is currently working through those stocks at a quick […]

Crop Week: Canaryseed sluggish, but supplies tight

Jan. 10, 2012 at 4:59 am CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Crop Week: Flax acres likely to fall again in 2012

Jan. 9, 2012 at 9:05 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Crop Week: Prairie wheat marketing inconsistent in early days

Jan. 9, 2012 at 6:35 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Planned western wheat, durum futures generating interest

Jan. 6, 2012 at 9:33 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Slow demand limits upside potential for pulses

Dec. 7, 2011 at 1:22 pm CST

Canada grew a million fewer tonnes of peas in 2011 compared to the previous year, but the tighter supplies are still not enough to generate any strength in the sluggish market. Statistics Canada pegged the country’s 2011-12 pea production at 2.1 million tonnes in its latest report, released Tuesday. That […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Global economic woes keep canola trending lower

Nov. 23, 2011 at 5:28 pm CST

ICE Futures Canada canola contracts remained stuck in a steady downtrend Wednesday as the global economic uncertainty leading to speculative liquidation in many commodities spilled into grains and oilseeds as well. While the fundamentals remain relatively supportive for canola, the ongoing economic uncertainty will likely keep the path of least […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Wheat quality improved on year, but ergot a concern

Nov. 20, 2011 at 10:18 am CST

The quality of Western Canada’s wheat and barley crops saw considerable improvement this year, according to an analyst with the Canadian Wheat Board. However, of the wheat that failed to make the top grades there were more concerns with ergot, a toxic fungal disease. Before blending and seed cleaning, about […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Farmland demand solid in Western Canada

Nov. 9, 2011 at 5:27 am CST

Demand for farmland in Western Canada is running very strong, with real estate agents reporting difficulty finding enough willing sellers to meet that demand in the current climate. "We continue to have low supply and lots of demand," said Chris Classens of Signature Service Real Estate at Coaldale in southern […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Alta. feed market seen steady heading into winter

Nov. 7, 2011 at 2:48 pm CST

Feed grain prices in the key southern Alberta cattle feeding region have climbed over the past month, but have now reached their equilibrium and look relatively steady heading into the winter months, according to a Lethbridge feed merchant. Feed barley prices at Lethbridge have rallied over the past month from […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin