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The Rural Voice, 2001-07, Page 45won't be a slowdown in our domestic soy crush. Keep in mind that canola acres are down in western Canada so Tess canola will likely be crushed in Ontario. It appears that the soybean and corn markets are going in different directions. In the U.S., corn acreage is down but old crop stocks are growing, meaning a smaller 2001 corn crop will be needed in the big picture. China could be a wild card in all of this depending on how they deal with the aftermath of the drought they are enduring. On the other hand, U.S. soybean acreage is higher because of their loan rate and prices should still be dropping, but it looks like old crop stocks may not be as high as the USDA has been reporting up 'til now. Domestic crush and exports have been excellent and basis levels have certainly gained strength in the U.S. so, if 2001 production is lowered and carry-over is lowered, suddenly the market is dealing with less soybeans than the prices show. In Ontario, we have more corn acres that got in relatively early and we could be looking at a 240 million bushel crop versus about 175 million bushel in 2000. This is the main reason new crop basis levels have been softening and I think there is more downside. We will likely be exporting corn at harvest time this year and into 2002. We won't go back to import basis levels until the summer of 2002. So, producers need to take a hard look at basis levels being offered for early 2002 and get some corn sold. Soybean acreage on the other hand, is lower than last year and the crush growing, basis levels should stay relatively firm. This fact is already apparent in the basis levels being offered for early 2002. If futures prices make any kind of a run this summer, producers may want to seriously consider forward contracting for the winter months. I don't see any big price gains in the futures markets this year given the facts that we have right now. Producers may have to live with some small gains and really pencil out the cost of storage before deciding if storing will pay and for which commodity it will give the best returns. But don't be caught holding old crop grain, especially if harvest begins in September.0 Information supplied by Dave Gordon, LAC, Inc., Hyde Park, 519-473-9333. HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS Repaired, Reworked, Manufactured We build exactly what you want for a whole lot less! Call today... KUHL MACHINE SHOP Ltd. ALL INQUIRIES WELCOME. E-mail: kms@bmts.com www.kuhlmachineshop.com (519) 794-3758 Fax (519) 794-3880 MARQUARDT FARM DRAINAGE LTD. (ESTABLISHED 1968) SPECIALIZING IN: ■ Farm Drainage • Municipal Drainage ■ Backhoe Work ■ Excavator Work • Dozer Work ■ Erosion Control WE OFFER: • FREE ESTIMATES ■ Personal evaluation of your project • Detailed plans and design work • State-of-the-art equipment ■ Qualified and experienced personnel ■ Guaranteed workmanship & customer service For that personal touch. pride in ►vorknutnship. experience and FREE ESTIMATES call MARQUARDT FARM DRAINAGE LTD. (ESTABLISHED 1968) R.R. #3, Palmerston, Ontario 1-888-534-0393 OFFICE 343-3233 HOME 338-2373 STEVE CRONSBERRY (Owner) JULY 2001 41