ID 56061399 © Heike Rau Dreamstime.com

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Monday August 17, 2020

Aug 17, 2020 | 9:53 AM

All the agriculture commodity markets are trending and trading higher.

Exceed Grain Marketing analyst Wayne Palmer said all U.S. grains were technically very strong and are now being fueled by threatening weather.

He said the weather models in the U.S. corn and soybean belts are showing abnormal cool weather over the next ten days coupled with a below normal rainfall pattern.

Palmer said another factor supporting grain prices is an expected decline in today’s corn crop conditions report. Traders are also expecting a one to two per cent decline in soybeans.

–

Responsive measures

Some Sask. farmers to get winter elk hunting permits next year to protect land

Mar 12, 2026

Buy Now, Pay Later!

Spring 2026 Early Buy Program

Mar 09, 2026

SARM Convention

Sask RMs gather to address come concerns

Mar 06, 2026

The latest hail report said golf-ball size hail damaged crops across Western Canada during the first ten days of August.

Canadian Crop Hail Association President Rick Omelchenko said there were roughly 400 claims of crop damage from pea to golf-ball size hail in the first part of August.

“The storms are small, but very severe in the middle, and they’re creating a lot of damage, especially at this stage of growth,” Omelchenko said. “The crops are getting affected a lot worse than they did in earlier stages, but it’s not widespread, it’s very narrow, very small, and it tapers off really quickly.”

Omelchenko said over 20 Saskatchewan communities were hit by hail during early August.

Overall hail claims so far this season are average in Saskatchewan, above average in Alberta and below average in Manitoba.

–

The Saskatchewan government has announced $15 million will be provided to develop new technologies in agriculture.

Agriculture minister David Marit said funds will be invested through Innovation Saskatchewan targeted at agtech companies needing venture capital.

The money will be used to enhance growth in crop production through new equipment, technology and improved seed varieties.

Marit said the province wants to be a global force in developing agriculture technology.

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF