PRAIRIE ROUTES
NEWS

Good morning, forecast appears to have some mixed messages. Rain is expected in parts of Manitoba this weekend but the west appears to be dry for the next week. Harvest season is headed closer to completion, my best guess is we are around 50% done in the West. Some areas hit with more rain are behind compared to others.

MARKET PULSE

Commodity Market Update

Oil opened steady after two down days: Brent Nov ’25 $66.31 and WTI Nov ’25 $62.63 as traders weigh OPEC+ supply chatter against softer demand signals. It’s still a range trade near the lows until either an OPEC+ policy shift or a bullish U.S. draw tips the balance. 

Gas keeps a seasonal bid: Henry Hub Nov ’25 (NGX25) ~$3.34–3.38/MMBtu into the morning, supported by cooler forecasts and firm LNG feedgas. Curve premium into winter remains intact. 

Row crops are quiet but telling. CBOT Soybeans Nov ’25 (ZSX25) ~999–1000¢/bu (≈**$9.99–$10.00**) with price action hinging on export flashes more than weather at this stage. ICE Canola Nov ’25 (RSX25) ~C$614.50/t after Monday’s settle drifted lower—vegoil spreads and trade friction are capping rallies. 

Proteins are mixed, tracking cash and wholesale prints. Live Cattle Oct ’25 (LEV25) ~231.85/cwt, Feeder Cattle Nov ’25 (GFX25) ~359.35/cwt, and Lean Hogs Oct ’25 (HEV25) ~99.85/cwt. Expect day-to-day chop as packer margins and cutout moves set the tone more than feed costs. 

How to use it before you head out

• Energy: Fades still work until OPEC+ blinks or EIA draws accelerate. 

• Gas: Constructive into November; watch production wobbles and LNG feedgas. 

• Oilseeds: Nov beans/canola need export confirmations or a veg-oil tailwind for follow-through. 

• Livestock: Keep risk tight into cash—board is reacting quickly to daily cutout changes. 

Not financial advice.
Data sources: APnews.com, Morningstar.com, MarketWatch.com, Exchange-rates.org, Agriculture.com, YahooFinance.com, Barchart.com 

TRENDS

📈 The Bulls and 📉 The Bears

📈 Bullish:

• Ukraine Raises Winter Wheat Planting, Boosting Export Outlook - Ukraine has increased its winter wheat sowing forecast to 5.2 million hectares, suggesting stronger-than-expected planting intentions. This supports bullish export outlooks if yields cooperate.

• Wheat Futures Climb on Technical Buying and Strong Exports - Wheat prices saw a bump from technical short covering and better-than-expected export volumes last week, giving a rare win to winter wheat after months of price softness.

• Soybean Oil Holds Ground as Energy Markets Stabilize - While soybeans themselves slumped, soybean oil has shown relative strength, supported by energy market sentiment and meal/oil price spreads holding firm.

📉 Bearish:

• China’s Pullback From U.S. Soybeans Pressures Prices - China has largely skipped U.S. soybean orders for the 2025–26 season, favoring Brazil and other suppliers. This massive demand void is hitting prices and farmer confidence hard.

• Harvest Pressure Hits Corn and Soybean Prices - As harvest kicks into gear across the Midwest, fresh supply entering the pipeline is dragging down corn and soybean futures, even as basis levels remain steady.

• U.S. Farmers Face ‘Perfect Storm’ of Low Prices and High Costs - Input inflation (fuel, fert, labor) continues to crush profitability as crop prices stay suppressed. Farmers are feeling the squeeze as margins collapse heading into 2026 planning.

Want to Sell More Meat and Grain—Profitably?

Prairie Routes connects family farms with seasoned experts for 1-on-1 coaching tailored to your business. Whether you’re looking to grow your market, boost margins, or streamline sales, we’re here to help.

Book your free consult today and see how we can help your farm thrive.

INCASE YOU MISSED IT

Quick Hits on Policy and Relevant News

🐦 BC Ostrich Cull Sparks Controversy — The CFIA’s order to cull over 300 ostriches at a BC farm due to flu concerns is facing legal pushback and intense public scrutiny. Global News | CFIA Update 

🇨🇦 Canadian Exports Push into Southeast Asia — Canada plans to sign a trade agreement with Indonesia giving duty-free access on ~95% of goods, including agriculture, to diversify beyond U.S. markets. Reuters

⛑️ Unveiling Aid for Canola & Aluminum Sectors — Ottawa is preparing to announce support packages for canola farmers and the steel/aluminum industries, to offset tariff pressure. Reuters 

👩‍⚖️ CFIA Stands By Ostrich “Stamping Out” Policy — In response to legal challenges, CFIA reaffirmed that all birds on infected premises must be depopulated—no post-exposure testing. Government of Canada 

🌾 Durum Wheat Quality Under Siege — Early test samples for Canadian durum wheat show sprouting and mildew damage due to wet weather—raising concerns about grading and premiums. Reuters 

🇨🇦 Government to Reveal Canola Support Details Soon — Ottawa is moving forward with a support package for the canola sector battered by Chinese tariffs, but details have been slow to emerge. Producer 

☣️ Calls for Increased Biofuels Investment — Agriculture stakeholders push for further investment and regulatory reform to boost biofuels production, particularly to support canola demand. ADMIS / News Summary 

🇨🇳 China Hurt for Canadian Agriculture — Ag leaders in Canada are warning of cascading impacts from Chinese tariffs on grains and pulses—urging faster policy reaction and diversification. Central Alberta Online