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Federal government invests in Western Canada’s wheat producers

Investment is part of the Growing Forward 2 program

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

Wheat producers in Western Canada who sell their crops on their own or with the help of a broker will soon have access to much more information than before, thanks to the Canadian federal government.

An investment of $742,745 from the federal government will give the Alberta Wheat Commission the power and resources to supply real-time crop and price information to the farmers as they need it.

They will also use the investment to “analyze gaps in crop data and price reporting for grains and offer a web solution that provides industry with timely, accurate and transparent market information,” according to a release sent out by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

"The Crop Data and Price Reporting project will significantly improve producers' access to the information necessary to capture the best opportunities and maximize the returns on their crops,” said Kent Erickson, Alberta Wheat Commission Chairman in a release. “Improved price transparency through a single information source marks a major step forward for our industry, and will bolster the competitive edge for all participants in the agricultural commodity trade in Canada.”

This initiative comes as a response to concerns from industry professionals about how and where they can access market information. The projects will provide pricing and other information for everyone across the wheat industry including producers, elevators, and transporters.

"Our Government knows that producers need access to reliable and timely information in order to make informed marketing choices,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This investment will provide producers with the tools they need to proactively manage risk, grow their businesses and our overall economy."


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The 12-day war between Iran-Israel came to an end sending crude oil futures plunging as the big fund speculators removed the war risk premium.

The weather risk premium in the Ag complex is sending corn, wheat and soybean futures lower on month-end selling ahead of the market moving USDA quarterly grain stocks and acreage reports on June 30th.

Instead, funds were chasing and sending tech stocks higher with the S&P 500/NASDAQ indexes setting new all-time record highs!

June 1 USDA Hogs and pigs report was slightly bearish while the U.S. $ Index traded to new contract lows as the de-dollarization that began in 2014 continues.

Feed in the form of soybean meal futures for livestock producers got cheaper, trading to new contract lows.

The Stats Canada seeded acreage update was bullish canola and wheat.