Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

Mar. 14, 2025 at 11:55 am CDT

Hard red spring wheat bids in Western Canada moved higher during the week ended March 13, as gains in United States futures and weakness in the Canadian dollar countered the bearish influence of the trade uncertainty overhanging the markets.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Mar. 13, 2025 at 9:59 am CDT

Canadian oilseed processors crushed a record 11.37 million tonnes of canola in 2024, reported Statistics Canada. However, the Canadian soybean crush fell by 11.6 per cent in 2024 to 1.56 million tonnes.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Mar. 12, 2025 at 10:05 am CDT

Canadian farmers intend to plant more wheat and less canola in 2025, according to the first survey-based estimates for the upcoming growing season from Statistics Canada released March 12. Area seeded to corn, oats and peas is also expected to rise, while soybeans, barley and lentils are forecast to lose acres.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Mar. 10, 2025 at 9:51 am CDT

A new trade war front opened over the weekend as China announced stiff tariffs on Canadian canola oil, meal, peas, pork and other commodities late Friday. Canadian industry groups decried the move and are calling on the federal government to intervene.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Mar. 6, 2025 at 8:50 am CST

The Canadian government is looking for new ways to help the mental health of farmers across the country — and has launched the Producer Mental Wellbeing Initiative (PMWI) to find "collaborative solutions that employ novel strategies" to do just that.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin