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Agriculture Roundup for Thursday October 22, 2020

Oct 22, 2020 | 9:49 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – Weather remains the main focus of the wheat markets.

The Sask Wheat market report, compiled by Mercantile Ventures, said the dry conditions on the U.S Plains and in Russia, while too much rain in south and east Australia are becoming a problem.

Drought has caused irreversible damage in Argentina while recent rainfall is likely too late to help crops.

The report also indicated there is the potential for serious cold weather in Russia over the next two weeks.

The strong cash markets are reflecting the unwillingness of growers in the EU, Russia, and Argentina to sell their wheat.

CN Rail is reporting a third-quarter that saw its business operations change with the economic recovery.

CEO Jean-Jacques Ruest said its operating metrics are improving and it has brought back many of the employees furloughed because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on freight trains.

“Some markets recovered fast in a V-shape. Some markets have yet to recover,” Ruest said. “All of this evolving to a different mix of revenue (per) ton-mile as compared to the pre-pandemic with a significant decline in crude and significant increase in Canadian grain.”

CN Rail has delivered seven consecutive monthly records for grain movement and said it is on track to deliver a record month in October.

The Saskatchewan Cattlemen Association (SCA) has a new director in district seven.

Joleen Shea has been elected to the board to replace outgoing board member Paula Larson.

The election took place in Kerrobert on Oct. 20.

The SCA Board is made up of members from each of Saskatchewan’s nine crop districts and is the provincial check-off agency for Saskatchewan beef producers.

Due to COVID-19, the SCA will be holding their district fall meetings as one virtual meeting on Oct. 28 at 1:00 p.m. The SCA annual meeting on Feb. 1 will also be virtual.

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF