UoG Professor in Wheat Breeding Named

Apr 11, 2014

The Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) Professorship in Wheat Breeding at the University of Guelph has been filled by Ali Navabi.

In 2013 GFO and SeCan announced a $1-million investment to create a professorship position focused in wheat breeding at the University of Guelph’s Department of Plant Agriculture.

According to the university’s website, Navabi has been a bean breeder with the University of Guelph since 2008. He also has 15 years’ experience in wheat breeding.

The position will bring back a focus on cereal research. Previously, the university had four researchers who had specialized on wheat research including winter wheat breeding, but over the years had lost those researchers. Navabi will be tasked with developing new varieties for Ontario growers. In addition to the research component, he will also participate in the Ontario Cereal Crop Committee, which oversees cereal registration and performance testing.

Navabi will begin in the role starting May 1, 2014.

Video: Did Bears Win Thanksgiving, Will Bulls Get Christmas?

Did the bears win Thanksgiving (although this week had green on the screen), and will the bulls get Christmas? Bears won thanksgiving thanks to a USDA Nov crop report dud that stalled the bullish grain momentum for a brief period. But a bullish lower yield surprise in the Dec crop report could reignite the rally.
2026 U.S. winter wheat planting is nearly complete at 97% while crop conditions improved by 3 points to 48% good-to-excellent. US corn & soybean harvest is complete.
High corn demand, which is off the chart, and more Chinese soybean demand could support a Christmas rally.
Nasdaq had it’s worst November since 2011.
A U.S. Fed rate cut in December will help fund flow and sentiment.
Bitcoin held a long-term support at 80,000 and that's positive for fund flow and sentiment. It should help stock prices and Ag as we go into December.
Fertilizer prices continue to climb as we look ahead to 2026. Farmers may rely more on the nutrients that they already have in their soils.
South American Weather remains critical as the soybean reproductive stage starts from late Nov to late Feb depending on planting date.
Will a Russia-Ukraine peace deal happen by year-end?
CFTC data as of showed more managed money fund sell-off as of October 14th.