Pork belly futures a thing of the past Monday, October 3, 2011 The mid-July notice from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange was simple and terse."Because of a prolonged lack of trading volume and after significant discussion with industry participants, CME will be delisting Frozen Pork Bellies Futures and Options effective Monday July 18, 2011."According to Minyanville Media, which reports on commodity trading, pork belly trading, which celebrated its 50th birthday this year, was the most recognized and glamorous of the commodity trading contracts. Pork bellies, frozen in the winter when demand was low, were thawed in the summer to meet the high demand when bacon and tomato sandwiches were peaking. The seasonal demand produced a need to hedge against higher prices. A single contract consisted of 40,000 pounds of frozen trimmed bellies from which bacon was made.Minyanville said trading in hog bellies declined for a number of reasons. The packing industry has switched to fixed price contracting. A few huge companies producing both pigs and bacon dominate. On top of that, demand is no longer seasonal, with hamburger chains adding bacon to make their sandwiches more palatable. BP 'This program is no ASRA' It's the pork, stupid!
Assessing Hail Damage in Wheat, Barley, Oats and Corn Wednesday, July 8, 2026 Recent severe storms across Manitoba have left some producers facing damaged crops and uncertain yield prospects. Hail ranging from loonie-sized stones to golf ball- and baseball-sized impacts was reported in several agricultural regions over the past week, damaging cereals, canola... Read this article online
Cattle industry stakeholders asked to take Canfax survey Wednesday, July 8, 2026 A cattle industry service provider is asking stakeholders to weigh in on how it can improve. Canfax, the market analysis division of the Canadian Cattle Association, is conducting a survey asking participants to share what datapoints drive decisions on individual farms and the overall... Read this article online
Canadian Grain Commission Updates Grain Grading Rules for 2026-27 Crop Year Wednesday, July 8, 2026 The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is introducing several important changes to grain grading procedures for the 2026-27 crop year, including updates affecting Canada Western Amber Durum, wheat and red lentils. The revisions, which take effect August 1, were developed following... Read this article online
Grain Markets Rebound as Key Crop Reports Surprise Traders Wednesday, July 8, 2026 On the weekly Farms.com Risk Management Ag Commodity Corner+ Podcast with experts Chief Commodity Strategist Moe Agostino and Commodity Strategist Abhinesh Gopal, the discussion focused on major agricultural developments affecting grain, oilseed, and fertilizer markets. The title of the July 3... Read this article online
Major Heat Ridge Builds as Record-Pace El Niño Raises New Weather Concerns Wednesday, July 8, 2026 The past few weeks have already been crazy for agriculture weather wise, with more to come. Nearly 2,000 severe wind reports were recorded across the United States over the past three days, with the most widespread impacts stretching from the central Plains through the Midwest and... Read this article online