Alberta farmer express

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GENOMICS FOR CROSSBRED COWS NOW A REALITY Non-profit behind the DNA test says it easily pays for itself » PG 13

Keeping a close eye on grain movement Some elevators filling up, but shippers not worried yet » PG 18 Publications Mail Agreement # 40069240

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Don’t write NAFTA’s obituary just yet ‘Absurd’ demands have heightened fears that President Trump aims to kill the trade pact, but experts say that’s premature BY ALEXIS KIENLEN AND GLENN CHEATER AF STAFF

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tay calm and keep negotiating’ seems to be the mantra of Canadian farm groups even as a growing number of experts warn NAFTA may be doomed. U.S. negotiators dropped a series of bombshells in the fourth round of talks on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement — demands that Canada and Mexico had said were non-negotiable “red lines.” Those include a fiveyear sunset clause; reserving the

see NAFTA } page 7

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THE GOLDEN CROP: The story keeps getting better for canola Near-record crush and increasing global demand show that canola’s successful run is far from over BY JENNIFER BLAIR AF staff

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anola is king across Alberta — and there’s no reason to think it won’t have a long and healthy reign. “Canola offers a leading and consistent mix of superior agronomics and strong demand,” said Greg Kostal, president of Kostal Ag Consulting. “Yeah, it has its ups and downs, and there’s little micro-reasons for it. But if you filter out all the noise, there’s a growing demand.” The market for Canadian canola is on the rise, while demand for wheat for human consumption is “relatively flat,” growing only as incomes and populations grow. “If our (canola) crop were one million or two million tonnes bigger, I wouldn’t have a problem finding a demand slot for it,” said Kostal. “That doesn’t mean prices need to giddy-up and go, but we’re almost in a position at a 21-million-tonne crop size threshold where more canola is not more price negative. It just caps how high we go.” A visit to any crush plant shows just how strong demand is.

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Prairie farmers keep growing more canola — but world markets want it all.  PHOTO: THINKSTOCK In mid-October, Canadian canola crushers were processing near-record levels of the oilseed, topping out at 204,820 tonnes — only a little short of the 208,268-tonne weekly record set in March. And that happened even as margins were $40 a tonne lower than yearago levels.

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“I think that’s a strong testament to the companies involved feeling confident that not only is off-shore demand strong, but also there is a consistent push to provide the supply,” said Kostal.

see GOLDEN CROP } page 6


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Alberta farmer express by Farm Business Communications - Issuu