Canada Markets

Shipments from licensed western terminals on the west coast, Churchill and Thunder Bay are reported at 24.4843 million metric tons as of week 39, or the week ending May 3, as indicated in the Canadian Grain Commission's recent Grain Statistics Weekly. This is 21.4% above the same period last year and also 18.9% above the average reached over the past three years.

Year/year increases in volume were seen in both west coast and Thunder Bay facilities, with west coast or Pacific facilities shipping 3.736 mmt more in the first 39 weeks of 2014/15, for a 23.4% increase in volume. Thunder Bay came next, with an increase of 687,400 mt in shipping over last year for a year/year increase of 19.3%. Churchill shipped 108,540 mt less in the first 39 weeks of this crop year than reported in the same 39 week period in 2013/14.

An increase in export shipments as well as shipments to port terminals easily off-set a 10.6% drop in terminal shipments to Canadian domestic markets. The year/year drop in Canadian domestic shipments was reported at 13,500 mt as of May 3 (10.6%) while the increase in shipments to port terminals is reported to increase 1.398 mmt or 97.8% and the export volume has increased 2.93 mmt or 15.7%.

Despite the volumes shipped, the lack of coordination in the system remains on the radar. Quorum's week 38 Grain Monitoring Program report indicated a vessel lineup for week 39 which included 22 vessels for Vancouver, with the average being eight to 12 vessels. Another three vessels were in the lineup for Prince Rupert, with the historical average being two to three. Mark Hemmes of Quorum reported to the Western Producer that cheap ocean freight, which results in a less costly demurrage cost, along with a lack of coordination which sees the right grains place in the right place at the right time being an issue.

DTN 360 POLL

When asked about soil moisture conditions in the first 10 days of May, 16% of respondents suggested seeding delays could be faced due to excessive moisture, 54% viewed soil moisture conditions as optimal, 23% of respondents suggesting that moisture is lacking and 7% felt it is too early to tell.

Respondents were from the prairies, with two-thirds of Alberta and Saskatchewan respondents viewing conditions as optimal. This is consistent with Saskatchewan's recent crop report as of May 4 which viewed soil moisture as being 74% adequate and 16% surplus. As well, Alberta Agriculture's May 5 crop report viewed topsoil moisture at 70% good to excellent.

Only 25% of responses from Manitoba viewed conditions as optimal, with the balance of responses suggesting that moisture is lacking and would be welcome. Manitoba Agriculture's May 4 report suggested that the majority of areas needed moisture to support emergence and growth.

NEW DTN 360 POLL

This week's DTN 360 poll asks about seeding progress on your farm as of Sunday, May 10. You can weigh in with your response on DTN's poll found on the lower right of your DTN Home Page.

Cliff Jamieson can be reached at cliff.jamieson@dtn.com

Follow Cliff Jamieson on Twitter @CliffJamieson

(ES)

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