The Rural Voice, 2001-10, Page 46Advice
for fires starting in term fields and
equipment.
Numerous reports have been
received from across Ontario of fires
in combines. Buildups of dry straw
and heat from the machines have
resulted in combustion leading to
equipment damage and field fires.
There have also been reports because
of dry conditions of field fires
starting from hot mufflers on trucks
and other equipment. Farmers are
asked to make sure equipment is
cleaned periodically, removing the
combustible materials. Caution
should also be exercised in taking
vehicles into fields where crop
materials can catch fire. Fire
extinguishers should be standard
equipment on harvesters.
For more information on farm
fires visit the Farm Safety
Association website at
www.farmsafety.ca.0
Ontario to host
robotic milking
conference
The First North American
Conference on Robotic Milking is
planned for March 20 to 22, 2002 in
Toronto.
The conference will look at the
technology's global adoption and
impact, housing and milking
facilities, management, animal
health, milk quality, labour,
economics and social impact.
Participants will be able to tour
working robotic dairy farms. Call
Brian Lang at (519) 537-8786. or e-
mail: rmilking@omafra.gov.on.ca.
You can also visit
www.ontariodhi.com/robotics/ for
more details. 0
Now you can
reach us by e-mail
Contact us at:
norhuron@scsinternet.com
or write to us the good
old-fashioned way at
The Rural Voice,
P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON NOM 1H0
42 THE RURAL VOICE
Grain Markets
U.S. yield estimates
confuse markets
By Dave Gordon
The tragic events of last week
have already affected world markets.
Equity investors are turning stocks
into cash especially insurance or
airline stock. The commodity markets
have also been affected. After an
initial spike crude oil prices have
started to sag as consumers use less
fuel.
Grain markets were closed for two
days last week, reopening on
Thursday just prior to the USDA
reports. Prices were nudged higher
early in September on thoughts of
lower production, but the USDA did
not lower yields significantly and
prices of all grains have dropped
amid concern of softer exports and
higher than expected production.
CORN
Many analysts believed that corn
production in the U.S. would come in
around nine billion bushels.
However, the USDA lowered their
2001 production figure by less than
30 million bushels. This certainly
surprised the trade and many still
think the crop will end up -being
smaller once harvest is complete.
As a result, corn prices dropped
about $.15/bu and could lose some
more ground before rebounding. In
most years, the, low in corn futures
comes in early October and if the
crop turns out to -be smaller than the
USDA predictions, prices could be in
for substantial gains. Corn harvest is
about 15 per cent complete in the
U.S. and yields are not above
average.
In Ontario, harvest is just around
the corner and many areas of the
province have suffered from the
drought of this past summer — most
noticeably, the area south of the 401.
If the early soybean yields are any
indication, corn yields could be light.
Many in the trade believe we will see
less than 100 bu/acre.
The spot corn market is still very
hot, as supplies are still rather
limited. Problems at the border
slowed shipments into Ontario for a
few days, but more damaging is that
the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency has imposed new criteria for
Starlink testing effective September
24, 2001. It appears the CFIA
decision may be politically motivated
as no evidence of Starlink has
appeared since testing began in
December 2000. In the big picture,
Ontario processors used about 235
million bushels and rarely do we
produce that much. As a result,
Ontario must import varying
quantities from the U.S. If the playing
field is to be evened, producers must
continue to lobby the federal
government for assistance because to
embargo imported corn in any
manner will drive the processors out.
Basis levels are extremely strong
and unless we get a surprise from
higher production, basis will continue.
to stay strong. I think we may see the
strongest basis at harvest time.
SOYBEANS
The USDA's September
production figure was 33 million
bushels less than their August
number but still higher than any pre -
report estimates. Most analysts think
the 2001 crop is about the same as
last year's, especially considering the
unplanted acres in Iowa and
Minnesota. However, the USDA did
reduce their projected 2002 carryout
indicating better usage. As with corn
futures, soybean futures are sagging,
but prices may struggle to recover too
much because it looks like Brazil will
increase soybean acres by 10 per
cent.
In Ontario, early yields are
downright terrible. I have heard of