Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

Alberta crops varied, but good overall – analyst

Jul. 29, 2011 at 3:03 pm CDT

Crop conditions are varied across Alberta, although the overall picture is looking good with no real significant areas of concern, according to a provincial specialist. “The crops are variable, some are right on-time and some are late,” said Neil Whatley, crop specialist with the Alberta Ag Info Centre. He said heat […]

Analyst sees canola “grinding lower”

Jul. 21, 2011 at 8:04 am CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Prairie winter wheat looks good, disease pressure mounts

Jul. 16, 2011 at 11:01 pm CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Flaxseed bids likely at highs for now

Jul. 5, 2011 at 3:05 pm CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Prairie barley bids edge lower

Jul. 4, 2011 at 5:30 pm CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Oats bids high, but waiting on clearer direction

Jun. 15, 2011 at 4:38 pm CDT

Oats bids can be found at rather high levels across Western Canada, but the uncertainty of new-crop production is limiting actual activity in the market for the time being. “Right now not a lot of guys are pricing, as they are a little nervous about the weather and what kind […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

U.S. farmers face uncertainty of CWB deregulation

Jun. 8, 2011 at 11:01 pm CDT

The expected end of the Canadian Wheat Board’s single-desk marketing powers for western Canadian wheat, durum, and barley in 2012 will likely lead to some adjustments in the flow of grain between Canada and the United States. Such a move could create some uncertainty for U.S. farmers who could soon […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Canola cash bids likely at high end for now

Jun. 2, 2011 at 11:01 pm CDT

Relatively strong canola bids currently available in Western Canada may not be around for much longer, according to an analyst who recommends farmers price what they can now before the inevitable downturn. ICE Futures Canada canola contracts have been testing upside resistance recently, and the cash bids have strengthened as […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Manitoba acres shift away from soybeans

Jun. 1, 2011 at 6:37 pm CDT

Actual soybean acres in Manitoba this summer will end up well below the original intentions, as planting delays in many areas and insurance deadlines cause producers to shift away from the crop and into canola. When farmers were surveyed by Statistics Canada in late March the results pointed to intended […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Seeding nearly done in Alta., rain needed in north

May. 31, 2011 at 4:16 pm CDT

Alberta farmers are nearly finished with their spring seeding operations, having made quick progress in the past few weeks, according to a crop specialist with the province’s Ag-Info Centre. With planting wrapping up, fields in the northern part of the province are now in need of some rainfall, while excess […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin