PRAIRIE ROUTES
NEWS

🌟 Editor’s Note:

Good morning, hope you all had a great weekend, it appears most weather systems have moved through the western prairies—just a few more systems fizzling out over Manitoba. As always, if you have any questions/feedback, reply and let me know!

MARKET PULSE

1. Global Commodity Futures Brief – August 11, 2025

Energy: Oil Softens Ahead of Russia Talks

September WTI crude futures slipped approximately $0.39 to $63.48/barrel, while Brent fell around 0.5% to $66.26/barrel, as optimism grows for U.S.–Russia Ukraine talks scheduled for August 15. Markets are pricing in a potential easing of sanctions on Russian oil.

Metals: Gold Pulls Back From All-Time High

December gold futures dropped around 2.5%, settling near $3,404.70/oz, after President Trump announced that gold would not be subject to tariffs—easing trade fears that had driven prices to record highs above $3,500 earlier.

Grains & Livestock: Corn & Soy Rally, Cattle and Hogs Tick Up 

• September corn futures closed at $3.85/bu, up 2¼¢.

• September soybeans jumped 24¢ to $9.91¾/bu, supported by a fresh wave of short covering.

• September soybean meal rose $4.20 to $280.80, and soybean oil gained 48 points.

• October live cattle futures traded at $226.10, while September feeder cattle reached $340.60, and October lean hogs climbed to $91.77.

• Canola September futures (ICE), up C$11.40 (+1.7%) for the day.

• CBOT September SRW Wheat futures dropped 22¢ to $5.17/bu—a notable dip to contract lows amid harvest pressure and dollar strength.

Specialist Commodities: Lithium Surges

China’s lithium carbonate futures skyrocketed 8% after CATL suspended operations at a major lithium mine due to an expired license—a development that threatens approximately 3% of global lithium supply and sent ripple effects across battery and EV sectors.

Analyst Takeaways…

• Oil: Pressured downward by geopolitical developments, but upside remains if Russian supplies stay constrained.

• Gold: Correcting aggressively now that tariff fears are off the table, though still a critical hedge asset.

• Grains & Livestock: Momentum remains bullish, driven by renewed demand and technical positioning.

• Lithium: Supply scare in China sends price signals flashing—EV-linked commodity markets could see volatility ahead.

Bottom Line: The futures markets today reflect a balancing act—gold and oil are cooling, while grains and livestock are finding footing with renewed buying. Lithium’s abrupt supply shock deserves a spot on your radar, especially for EV and battery-related strategies.

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

TRENDS

2. The Bulls and The Bears

Bullish:

• 🍟 Global food prices up 1.6% in July, led by meat and vegetable oils.

Bearish:

• 📋 August 2025 WASDE report triggered notable price swings in grain markets, with oversupply and volatility dominating headlines.

• ⚫️ Canola futures fell to four-month lows to start the 2025/26 crop year, with fund long liquidation a feature.

• 🏦 Canadian Financial Close: The Canadian dollar settled at US$0.7254 or US$1=C$1.3785, which compares with Friday’s close of US$0.7272 or US$1=C$1.3751

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SHARP TAKE

3. Smarter Farms, Tastier Futures

Canadian agtech is drawing big investor eyes, especially in British Columbia, where automation—like robotic pickers and AI crop tools—is gaining serious traction. Farmers are adopting tech not just to ease labor shortages, but to boost productivity and resilience, positioning Canadian agriculture at the forefront of the automation wave.

TL;DR: AI is reshaping Canadian farming—customizing crops, optimizing livestock feed, and predicting markets—so your dinner might soon be tech-approved.

INCASE YOU MISSED IT

4. Quick Hits on Policy and Relevant News

🇺🇸 Swath of Trump tariffs take effect: U.S. President Trump’s new tariffs (10–50%) hit dozens of countries, including a hike on Canadian goods to 35%. Most ag products remain exempt under CUSMA, but trade tensions are high. AgCanada

🌾 Alberta’s 2025 crop year remains challenging, but livestock feed gains offer a silver lining. Canada.ca

🇨🇦 Canada wraps Indo-Pacific ag trade mission: Minister MacDonald concludes a trip to boost Canadian agri-food ties in the region. Newswire

🤝 Trade policy impacts: Ottawa pledges $1.2B to support softwood lumber producers after new U.S. tariffs. Western Producer

🥩 Ontario-Japan beef partnership celebrates 10 years. Farmtario