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The Rural Voice, 1999-12, Page 45BERNIE McGLYNN LUMBER LTD. BUYER OF HARDWOOD BUSHLOTS Wholesaler • Hardwood Lumber Box 385. R.R. 2, Wingham, Ont NOG 2W0 BERNIE McGLYNN Ph/Fax (519)357-1430 SAWMILL Ph/Fax (519) 357-3777 (519) 367-5789 • • • BEST DEAL EVER STAR 4,CHOICE Elevate Your Expectations Digital Satellite Television or $399 04 Navigo 401 Base Receiver 61 1 16/mth for 36 months plus S100 credit Taxes down on your MODERN CARD - $ 100 Instant Rebate $100 100 C6 Programming Credit Si 9 9.Q Effective Atter Credit Price PLUS BUY A 2ND RECEIVER WITH ABOVE OFFER for $349' - $15000 Instant Rebate only 5199.Q0 t Access 10 180+ ` Channels YOU SAVE $398. ON THIS DEAL` 30 Day risk flee guarantee Available now... AgCasr PRECISION AG INFORMATION Tailor the information to your operation Watch your quotes update Charts with technical analysis Create your own commodities and stocks portfolio * 1 DISH, 2 RECEIVERS INC. Installation, wiring, and dual LNB, extra cost. APPLIANCES & ELECTRONICS 871 - 10th St. E. (across from Zellers) HANOVER 364-1011 102 Main St. E. LISTOWEL 291-4670 42 THE RURAL VOICE Grain Markets Prices will be flat throughout winter By Dave Gordon The USDA production report on November 10 confirmed what many traders suspected: corn yields are higher and soybean yields are lower. However, corn production was higher than the average guess and no adjustment was made to the demand side of the supply/demand report. Soybean production came in slightly lower than expected but demand was also reduced resulting in an increase in carryover of 10 million bushels. The problem that arises is the fact that ending stocks of both corn and soybeans keep increasing even though total use is also increasing. Production levels over the last two crop years has outpaced demand and North America is now projecting carryovers that are too big to be ignored by the market. Corn: The USDA raised the 1999 production figure by 70 million bushels or 1 bu/acre from their October report. Yes, we've heard of acres where yields were poor but even these areas achieved yields that were not thought possible in August. Basis levels in the U.S. fell to 20 -year lows in the middle of harvest but have since recovered to normal levels. In Illinois basis has gained about 25 cents/bu from the low and in Michigan, improvement has been in the 12 to 14 cent range. Something in the three million bushel range has been imported in to southwestern Ontario since October 1 to fill storage and supply some end users. In Ontario, corn harvest is still going full bore from Toronto through central Ontario where yields are excellent and total production will outstrip storage space. On the flip side of the import coin, corn has been shipped to the northeast U.S. by rail and to the Maritimes by vessel. Overall, production in Ontario is still estimated high enough to meet domestic demand. Basis levels throughout most of Ontario have remained relatively strong mostly due to lack of producer selling. Today, the elevator basis is at least 10 cents a bushel higher than normal in the U.S. and with the Canadian dollar moving higher, I don't expect the Ontario basis to have much more strength. I don't see futures prices moving out of the range that we've seen over the past month because of the large stocks available throughout North America. It will take major weather problems or some unapected demand to move prices higher but I don't think we will see any positive news over the next four or five. months. Soybean: The USDA lowered soybean production by 23 million bushels but increased the projected carryover by 10 million. Both crush and exports were reduced, reflecting slower than expected crush and very poor export sales. The biggest yield disappoint- ment came from Iowa where the average was lowered by 3 bu/acre to 45 bu. However, the overall drop in production was insignificant. Weather in South America is pretty good for planting and the USDA raised their production by one million tonnes. In Ontario, basis levels are still very strong due to little producer selling and a smaller crop than in 1998. Yields this year are off 3 bu/acre on fewer acres. One of the main concerns today is the marketing of various types of soys i.e., white hilums, roundup ready's, non-GMO crushers or identity -preserved soys and white hilums can be tested to be sure that no con -conforming soys are present. It is imperative that producers know what varieties they have planted and harvested and that they be truthful about the product they have. This will become even more important next year and the year after. There will be premiums for certain varieties or non- GMO soybeans and maintaining integrity of these soybean types is paramount. Feedgrains: Feedgrain prices have not shown any strength because of the low corn prices. Barley, in particular, has to displace corn in feed rations and, so