Insights and Stories of 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

Mar. 5, 2025 at 3:23 pm CST

Canola contracts on the ICE Futures platform fell sharply lower in early March, as broad import tariffs in the United States went into effect and Canada announced its own retaliatory measures.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Feb. 27, 2025 at 2:21 pm CST

Most of Manitoba is at a low to moderate risk of spring flooding this year, according to the latest outlook from the province's Transportation and Infrastructure's Hydrologic Forecast Centre.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin