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The Rural Voice, 1988-09, Page 11129 Annual STOCKER/FEEDER SALE Stratton Sales Yard 11:00 A.M. OCT. 17 90% calves — 1O% yearlings weighed into the ring Auctioneer Hugh Filson Live Satellite Transmission To Kitchener Stock Yards Bank, rail & trucking services are available at Stratton Sales Yard RAINY RIVER CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION B.K. Hartry — President Box 505, Emo Ont. POW 1E0 Phone: 807-487-2556 Durham Welding Supplies Ltd. • Canadian Liquid Air cutting & welding equipment • Miller arc welders • Gases • Wires • Electrodes for Dependable Weekly Delivery Call: Durham Welding Supplies Ltd. Durham, Ont. 519-369-3546 1-800-265-3885 Serving the welding industry since 1952 34 THE RURAL VOICE GRAIN MARKETS e: 1 ll r+�`5�:� Grain markets have witnessed a big sell-off over the past month, with a par- tial recovery to present levels of $2.90/ bu. for December corn futures. At pres- ent, the markets seem to be in a holding pattern until harvest begins. The soybean crop appeared to be helped initially by general rains in mid- July but very hot conditions returned during the critical August podding peri- ods. Spark's released a private estimate of slightly over 1.4 billion bushels of soys but we'll just have to wait for harvest to see if this production figure holds up. The corn crop in the U.S. suffered irreversible damage during the drought and the Spark's estimate reflected this with a production figure of 4.198 billion bushels. In Ontario, the soybean crop looks much better than it did a month ago, but the corn crop is suspect as far as quality and yield are concerned. CORN: Com futures took a big dive in late July to $2.62 1/2 on September futures and $2.73 1/2 on December futures. The market recovered to near $3.00 on Sep- tember futures and is trading in a range of $2.70 to $2.90 at present with Decem- ber futures trading between $2.74 and $3.00. It will take some surprise news to make the market rally. However, I do feel there is very limited downside risk in the market. Contrary to my last column, which discussed stabilization payments for the 1987 crops, it now appears questionable as to whether federal stabilization will be paid. You would be well-advised to read the Newsletter column in the July - August Corn Producer or check with the OCPA regarding any news concerning a 1987 stabilization payment. Basis levels have strengthened again for Ontario corn producers with old crop corn at $.65 over December futures and new crop corn rising to $.60 over De- cember futures which closed on August 25 at $2.90/bu. SOYBEANS: Soybeans in Ontario are still produc- ing beans in the top pods and adding some bushels to the crop. There have been some reports of plants dropping pods as well as spider mite problems in the southwest part of Ontario. Soybean futures dropped recently to $8.12/bu. on the November and closed on August 25 at $8.47/bu. Futures will probably trade between $8.00 and $9.00 until we see what the harvest brings in the U.S. Basis levels in Ontario have levelled out at $0.90 over November futures for new crop and $1.05 over November futures for old crop soys. With the futures market showing no carry, it is telling you that the market wants soy- beans in the fall rather than later. The Western feed grain supply will be one of the smallest in recent memory. In fact the stocks are the lowest since 1952. Coupled with a smaller feed grain crop in Ontario, this has led to fairly strong prices. Barley is trading in the $1.40/bu. range F.O.B. farms. The oat crop in Ontario has been quite variable with yields ranging from 20 bu./acre to 70 bu./acre. Quality has also been vari- able with high test weights being found in some areas of the province. As I stated in my last column, the bull market appears to have been ex- hausted, but we will continue to see very wide price swings with any piece of "new" news.0 This information is taken from sources believed reliable, but accuracy and completeness is not guaranteed. Dave Gordon is a grain merchan- diser with London Agricultural Com- modities, Inc. in Hyde Park, Ontario, 519-473-9333 or 1-800-265-1885.