PRAIRIE ROUTES
NEWS

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MARKET PULSE

1. Commodity Market Brief – August 5th, 2025

​ Energy: Oil Slides on OPEC+ Supply Surge

• Brent September futures settled at about 1.3% to $69.78/barrel, the lowest in a week.

• WTI September futures declined roughly 1.5% to $66.29/barrel, tracking increased OPEC+ production commitments.

Analysts remain cautious despite trade optimism; the oil boost could be offset by high production and demand risks.

​ Metals: Gold Rallies Then Pauses

• September gold futures rose around 0.8% to $3,426.40/oz, underpinned by weak U.S. labor data and rate-cut expectations.

The rally eased slightly on Monday profit-taking, though full sentiment remains bullish with Citi raising its 3‑month price target to $3,500.

Agriculture: Grains Tumble to Multi‑Week Lows

• September corn futures slid to $4.07/bu, nearing contract lows amid optimism around U.S. weather and bumper yield forecasts.

• September wheat futures held at around $5.16¾/bu, consolidating after recent pressures.

• ICE Canola September futures (RSc1) stand at approximately C$681.50/tonne, down about C$1.00 (-0.15%) from the previous settlement.

​Takeaways… 

• Oil: Under pressure from escalating supply; upside capped until OPEC+ policy clarifies.

• Gold: Holding firm as macro risks persist; rally paused but intact.

• Grains: Trading under bearish sentiment—corn and wheat trading near contract lows as weather and fundamentals trend supportive.

Bottom Line: September futures suggest consolidation across markets—oil and gold are responding to macro headlines, while grains are clearly bearish ahead of harvest season. Keep key data points on your radar: crop tours, export sales, and evolving geopolitical talks.

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

BULLISH & BEARISH

2. The Latest Trend Shifts

Bullish:

• 🐂 Cash prices for Canadian beef maintain strength as supplies tighten, supporting farm profitability.

• 📈 Saskatchewan's agri-food exports have grown by a third since 2014, hitting $18.5B in 2024.

Bearish:

• ⚫️ Canola futures drop to two-week lows. Canola fell to 682.54 CAD/T on August 2, down 1.78% from the previous day, as speculative selling picked up ahead of the long weekend.

• 🇺🇸 U.S. trade policy and tariffs are back in the spotlight. Prairie farmers report mixed crop conditions as grain markets remain sluggish. Canola stands out for its resilience.

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

SHARP TAKE

3. Chickpeas, But Make Them Buff

NuCicer Snags $11.5M to Scale Super Pulses

NuCicer, the California-based chickpea startup, just scooped up $11.5 million in fresh funding to supercharge its mission: create high-protein, climate-resilient chickpeas that can thrive across North America. Think lentils with muscle and grit.

Using wild chickpea genetics and biotech wizardry, NuCicer claims their legumes pack 75% more protein than your average garbanzo—and require less water and fewer inputs. That’s big news for processors, plant-based brands, and pulse farmers staring down rising climate volatility.

With investors including Leaps by Bayer, this isn’t just a foodie flex—it’s a signal that smarter pulses might be the next gold rush in sustainable ag. Chickpeas 2.0 are coming to a field (and falafel) near you.

INCASE YOU MISSED IT

4. Quick Hits on Policy and Relevant News

🟢 AgTech sector sees strategic moves: Growers Edge acquires FarmTest to boost field-level data, while John Deere launches Operations Center PRO Service for digital machine support. iGrowNews

🏦 Q2 2025 Agribusiness Earnings: Major players like BASF, FMC, UPL, AGCO, CNH, and TELUS report Q2 results, highlighting ongoing volatility and innovation in the sector. Upstream Ag Insights

🧪 Pacific Plant Nutrients launches Mineral Max AG, a certified organic biostimulant, aiming to boost soil health and crop resilience. iGrowNews

🐓 University of Ottawa launches a 10-month study on bird flu exposure among poultry workers. Rural Roots Canada

🐝 Canada and Ontario invest $1.7M to boost honey bee health. A sweet deal for beekeepers to protect colonies and stay competitive against U.S. tariffs. Canada.ca

💬 V6 Agronomy’s new terminal is set to strengthen Canada’s fertilizer supply and lower carbon emissions. Yahoo Finance