Speculation happens

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As food prices go up, consumers have turned up the heat on speculators. While this isn’t a new phenomenon, farmers might want to be prepared to share some facts behind food prices.

Since 2006, hedge funds, index funds, and sovereign wealth funds have been more involved in agricultural commodity markets and the computerized trend-following practices employed by many may have impacted the short-term volatility of agricultural prices. Whether you’re for speculators or against them, they do play a part in maintaining market liquidity. While fundamentals will always influence the market, farmers should probably expect that role to continue to evlove as farmers and speculators alike take greater advantage of the globally accessible and almost immediate nature of information in today’s digital age.

Corn Performance results now available

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Farmers rely on many sources for information when it comes to selecting their corn hybrids, including the Ontario Hybrid Corn Performance Trials report.

The Ontario Corn Committee finished collecting data on November 23rd this year and has released their findings for 2012. This year’s report once again features the Canadian Corn Refuge Hybrid Selector and List of Corn Hybrids Commercially Available in Canada.The Master Choice seed brand was not a listed participant this year however. Other changes include an indication for hybrids available with refuge included and a new site cooperator in Lancaster. 

General trends this year included an average yield increase of roughly 4% (lead by Area 5 with 14%), higher average test weights, and an average loss of 87mm rainfall over 2011’s averages across all regions. Post emergence applications dropped from 74% to 46% overall. Notably, lodging in Area 4 increased by 350% and for the first time in many years, one 3100 CHU variety yielded among the top three hybrids in Areas 3E&W, 4, 5, and 6.