Sarnia

BMO Says 2015 U-S, Canadian Crop Production Went Opposite Directions

The Bank of Montreal says North American crop production was above trend again this year - the third straight year that's happened.

Economist Aaron Goertzen says that trend has kept downward pressure on crop prices and farm income, but has been a windfall for livestock farmers, food processors and consumers.

But he points out the situation is not the same in both Canada and the U-S.

While American farmers brought in another bumper crop, Canadian producers grappled with sub-par growing conditions for a second straight season.

Goertzen suggests composite Canadian crop yields fell about 5 per cent short of norms this year - about the same as they did last year.

However, he's also predicting that while crop receipts in the U-S are expected to dip by around 9 per cent this year, Canadian farmers can expect to see a slight uptick in crop revenue.

The BMO economist says that's at least partly because of the weak Canadian dollar.

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Photo by Sarah Joy via Flickr

Owen Sound Library session gets cyclists ready to roll

Dust off those handlebars and pump up those tires because cycling season is officially upon us! If your trusty two-wheeler is looking a bit more "rusty" than "ready," the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library has just the thing to get you back on the road safely.