Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

Barley bids seen stabilizing

Feb. 19, 2010 at 3:45 pm CST

(Resource News International) — Feed barley values in the key Lethbridge region of Alberta have moved lower over the past few weeks, but are now stabilizing as farmer selling backs away. Jim Beusekom, a Lethbridge-based feed grains broker with Market Place Commodities Ltd., said feed barley prices have stabilized at […]

Canola bids steady, best prices farther out

Feb. 18, 2010 at 5:39 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Chickpeas holding steady, acreage hike possible

Feb. 17, 2010 at 6:28 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Oats bids slow in recovery

Feb. 16, 2010 at 4:32 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Lentil demand backing away

Feb. 12, 2010 at 4:00 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Edible peas bearish, export demand slow

Feb. 11, 2010 at 3:37 pm CST

(Resource News International) — Edible peas prices in Western Canada continue to move lower as export demand remains quiet for the time being. The poor prices may cause some growers to look at other cropping options this spring, but a merchant for a Saskatchewan-based pulse and special crop firm noted […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Winter wheat conditions vary, generally decent

Feb. 9, 2010 at 5:49 pm CST

(Resource News International) — Conditions for winter wheat crops across Western Canada are variable, but relatively decent overall, according to industry sources. Farmers in the three Prairie provinces seeded 650,000 acres of winter wheat this past fall, according to Statistics Canada data. That compares with 1.21 million acres the previous […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Softer ocean freight benefits grain shipping

Feb. 9, 2010 at 2:38 pm CST

(Resource News International) — Ocean freight rates have come off their recent highs seen back in November, helping Canada overcome the freight disadvantage it has into some markets compared to other exporters, according to an official with the Canadian Wheat Board. However, he added that there are other factors aside […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Farmers’ frustration rising over flax issues

Feb. 2, 2010 at 4:44 pm CST

(Resource News International) — Prairie flax growers on a conference call Monday to discuss the state of the flaxseed industry expressed concern over plans offered to deal with trace amounts of genetically-modified (GM) material found in flaxseed samples across the country. The requirement that producers grow only certified seed in […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Corn, soy futures seen headed lower

Jan. 27, 2010 at 5:52 pm CST

(Resource News International) — The downturn seen in CBOT soybean and corn futures over the past couple of weeks could be expected to continue, as the path of least resistance remains lower in both commodities, according to analysts. “The South American crop outlook is indicating a huge increase in (soybean) […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin