Nicole Keffee's Page

Travel Safe: Stop Foot and Mouth Disease at the Gate

As summer approaches, many Canadians begin planning vacations and welcoming visitors to their farms. With increased travel and farm traffic, everyone —both those working on and visiting farms— are part of keeping Canada free of foreign animal disease such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). For beef cattle producers, travelling safe involves knowing key information before returning to Canada. A few of these guidelines include:   Before you travel:   Inform Canadian Border Services of your travel plans.  Know the FMD status of the region(s) you will be travelling to.  Be aware of the most up-to-date information on FMD outbreaks and FMD status.   While travelling: Avoid direct contact with livestock and wild animals.  Do not purchase or bring back any meat or animal products.  Clean and disinfect footwear and clothing regularly.  Leave behind any items that cannot easily be disinfected. 

Manitoba Planting Advances Amid Mostly Dry Conditions

Manitoba planting has jumped to about one-third complete, but things are drying out. The latest weekly crop report pegged planting across the province at about 32% complete as of Tuesday, up from just 8% a week earlier. That is 3 points ahead of last year’s pace and 8 points ahead of the five-year average. Precipitation was variable across Manitoba the past week, but with most regions receiving less than 3 mm. The Boissevain area received the largest amount at 12.5 mm. Accumulations in most areas of the province are far below normal - less than 50% - since May 1, the report said, noting that recent wildfires in northern Manitoba have significantly impacted areas around The Pas, causing ‘extensive damage’ to pastures and fence lines. Spring wheat, oat, and barley planting is almost complete in the Southwest, Central, Eastern and Interlake regions, the report said, with corn planting seeing a major jump in the Central, Eastern, and Interlake regions. The earliest planted corn acres

Pulse Market Insight #274

Running out of Runway Even though farmers are out busy in the field and focused on the next crop, we often get questions at this time of year about selling the remainder of last year’s crop. For most farmers, there isn’t much left to sell but there are often a few tonnes held in reserve for a possible spring or summer rally, or just in case the upcoming crop runs into trouble. The question is often phrased something like, “What are the things that could push the market higher?” or “Could we see a bounce yet?” At that point, we usually start listing possible (usually weather-related) factors that could give prices a lift but in most cases, our answer is that a meaningful rally at this time of year is quite unlikely. Of course, we then get the classic Jim Carrey line, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.” Yes, there’s always a chance but the odds of a summer rally are quite low. We often talk about seasonal price tendencies and one of the most consistent patterns is for prices to d

High Liner Foods Shareholders Approval All Matters at Annual and Special Meeting

High Liner Foods Incorporated (TSX: HLF) ("High Liner Foods" or "the Company"), a leading North American value-added frozen seafood company, reports that all nominees in the Company's Amended and Restated Management Information Circular dated March 24, 2025 were elected as directors of the Company at the Annual and Special General Meeting of shareholders held on May 13, 2025. In addition, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed as the Company's auditor and shareholders also approved an amendment to the Company's articles of association and the advisory resolution on executive compensation.

Chicago Close: Corn Remains Under Pressure

Downtrodden corn futures remained under pressure on Tuesday, while soybeans posted small gains and wheat was mixed.