Last week, Mars gained 3 new robotic visitors. The United Arab Emirates mission: Hope, China’s Tianwen-1, and NASA’s Perseverance rover all successfully entered the Red planet’s atmosphere, with NASA’s rover touching down on Martian soil.
The UAE’s ‘Hope’ orbiter was the first of 3 craft to arrive at Mars on February 9th 2021. It was also the first out of the 3 craft to be launched during the July 2020 launch window – a period in which Earth\Mars interplanetary travel is ideal, due to the plants orbit cycles putting them in ‘close’ proximity to each other – a mere 300 million miles away. The goal of the UAE’s Hope spacecraft is to study the planets upper and lower atmosphere’s and track how these weather patterns change throughout the seasons. According to the launch team, Hope will be the “first true weather satellite” at Mars. This craft has a mass of 2,980lbs and is comparable size to a small car. The craft was estimated to cost $200 million USD.
The next robotic visitor to reach Mars from the July 2020 launches was the Chinese Tianwen-1 spacecraft. After 7 months of travel, it made the 300-million-mile journey to the Martian atmosphere. Over the next 2 months, Tianwen-1 will observe the planet from orbit, and then will prepare to land on the surface and explore the planet for 90 days. The goal of this craft is to study the geology of Mars, the potential for water existence, as well as the characterization of the planet’s rock and mineral structures.
Finally, the pride and joy of the spacecraft world – NASA’s Perseverance. This $2.5 billion dollar craft had a successful landing on Mars on February 18th 2021. This rover has a similar design to it’s predecessor – Curiosity. Perseverance carries seven payload instruments, 19 cameras and two microphones. The rover is also transporting a miniature helicopter or ‘drone’ named Ingenuity – an experimental craft designed to test the potential for flight on Martian planets. If that wasn’t enough, the rover also includes a robotic arm designed for rock-coring and storage of samples. A future mission in 2030 is being planned to transport these samples back to Earth. Perseverance has a mass of 2260lbs and is roughly 10 feet long, 9 feet wide and 7 feet tall.
Alright, so what does all this space age talk have to do with farming? Well, NASA has been actively benefitting the agricultural industry with their scientific advances for years. For example, in the 1990s John Deere began using GPS technology to bring about ‘precision agriculture’ and eventually work towards having tractors drive automatically. Unfortunately, this technology was met with numerous challenges. Upon real world utilization, it was found that the GPS technology could be off by as much as 30 feet, caused by drift in GPS satellites, internal clocks, and other data errors. Between a partnership with John Deere and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, by 2003 they were able to decrease the margin of error down to an inch. Since this breakthrough, we have seen a steady rise in autonomous self-driving tractors.
Too bad NASA doesn’t have me on their innovation team. I would have had Mars filled with self-driving tractors and rows on rows of canola by now. And barley… And yellow peas. Jokes aside, I am curious to see what the future of farming on a new plant will bring. Back to reality, you should give us a call and take advantage of these ‘out of this world’ prices we are seeing. $18 canola has surpassed ‘to the moon levels’ and is encroaching a new category of ‘to Mars’.
Because Farming is Forever
Wade Seville
Recent News
Here are some articles of interest that we are reading today.
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- #CdnAgDay 2021
- ICE canola tops C$800 in front month for first time ever
- Global Markets: MPs label Chinese persecution of Uighurs a genocide
- Third party inspections and the role of the CGC: grain companies seeking changes in the Canada Grain Act review
- Soil School: Using predictive soil mapping to inform better soil management
- New crop varieties considered for registration
Recent Trades on Agfinity.com
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19111)
220.00 MT
FOB Oyen, AB
Feb 24 – Jun 30
$297.45/MT or $8.10/BU (Gross)
$293.95/MT or $8.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 24, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19133)
44.00 MT
FOB Hairy Hill, AB
Mar 01 – Apr 30
$285.00/MT or $6.21/BU (Gross)
$281.50/MT or $6.13/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 24, 2021
NC #2CW Oats (ID: 18769)
44.00 MT
FOB Rochester, AB
Sep 01 – Oct 31
$222.65/MT or $3.43/BU (Gross)
$219.15/MT or $3.38/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 23, 2021
#2CW Oats (ID: 18904)
132.00 MT
FOB Leduc, AB
Jun 01 – Aug 31
$295.29/MT or $4.55/BU (Gross)
$291.79/MT or $4.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 23, 2021
#3CW Oats (ID: 19129)
132.00 MT
FOB Smoky Lake, AB
Jun 01 – Aug 31
$285.56/MT or $4.40/BU (Gross)
$282.06/MT or $4.35/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 23, 2021
OS Heated HRS Wheat (ID: 19152)
132.00 MT
FOB Vegreville, AB
Feb 23 – Apr 15
$187.22/MT or $5.10/BU (Gross)
$183.72/MT or $5.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 23, 2021
Feed Oats (ID: 19142)
132.00 MT
FOB Chinook, AB
Feb 24 – Mar 31
$223.96/MT or $3.45/BU (Gross)
$220.46/MT or $3.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 23, 2021
OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 19146)
88.00 MT
FOB Crossfield, AB
Feb 23 – Mar 08
$187.22/MT or $4.08/BU (Gross)
$183.72/MT or $4.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 23, 2021
OS CW Feed CPSR Wheat (ID: 19139)
44.00 MT
FOB Fort Kent, AB
Mar 01 – Mar 31
$273.57/MT or $7.45/BU (Gross)
$270.07/MT or $7.35/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 23, 2021
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19113)
176.00 MT
FOB Castor, AB
Apr 01 – May 31
$293.95/MT or $8.00/BU (Gross)
$290.45/MT or $7.90/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 23, 2021
OS CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19130)
220.00 MT
FOB Madden, AB
Mar 01 – Jun 15
$275.41/MT or $7.50/BU (Gross)
$271.91/MT or $7.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 23, 2021
CW Feed SWS Wheat (ID: 19100)
308.00 MT
FOB Huxley, AB
Feb 23 – Mar 31
$286.43/MT or $7.80/BU (Gross)
$282.93/MT or $7.70/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 22, 2021
NC #2 Yellow Peas (ID: 18908)
132.00 MT
FOB Meadow Lake, SK
Sep 01 – Sep 30
$338.78/MT or $9.22/BU (Gross)
$335.28/MT or $9.12/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 22, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19140)
44.00 MT
FOB Eastend, SK
Jun 01 – Jul 31
$290.56/MT or $6.33/BU (Gross)
$287.06/MT or $6.25/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 22, 2021
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19141)
44.00 MT
FOB Loverna, SK
Apr 01 – Apr 30
$275.41/MT or $7.50/BU (Gross)
$271.91/MT or $7.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 22, 2021
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19103)
44.00 MT
FOB Bezanson, AB
Apr 01 – Jun 30
$286.43/MT or $7.80/BU (Gross)
$282.93/MT or $7.70/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 22, 2021
NC CW Feed Barley (ID: 19110)
220.00 MT
FOB Madden, AB
Oct 01 – Oct 31
$260.71/MT or $5.68/BU (Gross)
$257.21/MT or $5.60/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 22, 2021
OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 19137)
44.00 MT
FOB Round Hill, AB
Mar 01 – Mar 31
$297.45/MT or $6.48/BU (Gross)
$293.95/MT or $6.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 22, 2021
NC CW Feed Barley (ID: 19134)
176.00 MT
FOB Hairy Hill, AB
Oct 01 – Oct 31
$249.21/MT or $5.43/BU (Gross)
$245.71/MT or $5.35/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 22, 2021
OS Feed Green Peas (ID: 19118)
88.00 MT
FOB Meadow Lake, SK
Mar 01 – Mar 31
$290.00/MT or $7.89/BU (Gross)
$286.50/MT or $7.80/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 19, 2021
OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 19135)
88.00 MT
FOB Bruno, SK
Mar 01 – Mar 31
$279.08/MT or $6.08/BU (Gross)
$275.58/MT or $6.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 19, 2021
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18979)
880.00 MT
FOB Hayter, AB
Apr 01 – Jun 30
$295.61/MT or $8.05/BU (Gross)
$292.11/MT or $7.95/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 19, 2021
OS CW Feed CPSR Wheat (ID: 19120)
132.00 MT
FOB Bonnyville, AB
Feb 19 – Apr 30
$279.08/MT or $7.60/BU (Gross)
$275.58/MT or $7.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 19, 2021
OS CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19121)
44.00 MT
FOB Carnduff, SK
Feb 20 – Mar 31
$159.66/MT or $4.35/BU (Gross)
$156.16/MT or $4.25/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 19, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19127)
88.00 MT
FOB Stony Plain, AB
Feb 20 – Mar 20
$292.86/MT or $6.38/BU (Gross)
$289.36/MT or $6.30/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 19, 2021
NC CW Feed Barley (ID: 19050)
88.00 MT
FOB St. Paul, AB
Nov 01 – Nov 30
$249.23/MT or $5.43/BU (Gross)
$245.73/MT or $5.35/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 19, 2021
OS Feed Oats (ID: 19088)
44.00 MT
FOB Valleyview, AB
Feb 19 – Mar 15
$222.00/MT or $3.42/BU (Gross)
$218.50/MT or $3.37/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 19, 2021
OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 19124)
44.00 MT
FOB St. Paul, AB
Feb 20 – Mar 31
$235.45/MT or $5.13/BU (Gross)
$231.95/MT or $5.05/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 19, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19125)
88.00 MT
FOB Olds, AB
Feb 20 – Mar 31
$297.45/MT or $6.48/BU (Gross)
$293.95/MT or $6.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 19, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19112)
44.00 MT
FOB Myrnam, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 30
$291.00/MT or $6.34/BU (Gross)
$287.50/MT or $6.26/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 18, 2021
NC CW Feed Barley (ID: 19034)
132.00 MT
FOB Sedgewick, AB
Sep 01 – Oct 31
$249.23/MT or $5.43/BU (Gross)
$245.73/MT or $5.35/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 18, 2021
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19083)
220.00 MT
FOB Leduc, AB
May 01 – Jun 30
$297.45/MT or $8.10/BU (Gross)
$293.95/MT or $8.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 17, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19116)
44.00 MT
FOB Eston, SK
Feb 17 – Feb 28
$283.67/MT or $6.18/BU (Gross)
$280.17/MT or $6.10/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 17, 2021
OS CW Feed CPSR Wheat (ID: 19105)
132.00 MT
FOB Glaslyn, SK
Feb 18 – Apr 15
$277.24/MT or $7.55/BU (Gross)
$273.74/MT or $7.45/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 17, 2021
OS Feed Oats (ID: 19093)
88.00 MT
FOB Westlock, AB
Feb 17 – Mar 15
$253.14/MT or $3.90/BU (Gross)
$249.64/MT or $3.85/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 17, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19109)
88.00 MT
FOB Erskine, AB
Feb 17 – Mar 31
$290.56/MT or $6.33/BU (Gross)
$287.06/MT or $6.25/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 17, 2021
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19106)
176.00 MT
FOB Webb, SK
May 01 – Jun 30
$279.08/MT or $7.60/BU (Gross)
$275.58/MT or $7.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 16, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19104)
88.00 MT
FOB Bentley, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 30
$295.16/MT or $6.43/BU (Gross)
$291.66/MT or $6.35/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 16, 2021
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19102)
440.00 MT
FOB Foremost, AB
Jun 01 – Jun 30
$288.27/MT or $7.85/BU (Gross)
$284.77/MT or $7.75/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 16, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19057)
88.00 MT
FOB Beaverlodge, AB
May 01 – Jun 30
$285.00/MT or $6.21/BU (Gross)
$281.50/MT or $6.13/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 16, 2021
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19098)
264.00 MT
FOB Cardston, AB
Jun 01 – Jun 30
$297.45/MT or $8.10/BU (Gross)
$293.95/MT or $8.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 16, 2021
NC CW Feed SWS Wheat (ID: 18933)
440.00 MT
FOB Coronation, AB
Oct 01 – Nov 30
$242.34/MT or $6.60/BU (Gross)
$238.84/MT or $6.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 12, 2021
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19074)
132.00 MT
FOB Scotsguard, SK
Feb 10 – Mar 19
$275.41/MT or $7.50/BU (Gross)
$271.91/MT or $7.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 12, 2021
#2 Green Peas (ID: 18611)
176.00 MT
FOB St. Vincent, AB
Feb 16 – Feb 20
$368.56/MT or $10.03/BU (Gross)
$365.06/MT or $9.94/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 12, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19085)
44.00 MT
FOB Leduc, AB
May 01 – Jun 30
$292.86/MT or $6.38/BU (Gross)
$289.36/MT or $6.30/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 12, 2021
CW Feed CPSR Wheat (ID: 19082)
352.00 MT
FOB Leduc, AB
May 01 – Jun 30
$297.45/MT or $8.10/BU (Gross)
$293.95/MT or $8.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 12, 2021
OS Feed Oats (ID: 18991)
88.00 MT
FOB Entwistle, AB
Feb 12 – Apr 15
$262.50/MT or $4.05/BU (Gross)
$259.00/MT or $3.99/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 12, 2021
CW Feed Barley (ID: 19081)
88.00 MT
FOB Eckville, AB
May 15 – May 31
$297.45/MT or $6.48/BU (Gross)
$293.95/MT or $6.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 12, 2021
OS CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 19078)
132.00 MT
FOB La Crete, AB
May 01 – Jun 30
$271.73/MT or $7.40/BU (Gross)
$268.23/MT or $7.30/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 12, 2021
OS Feed Oats (ID: 19080)
176.00 MT
DLVD Edmonton, AB
Feb 11 – Mar 31
$205.00/MT or $3.16/BU (Gross)
$201.50/MT or $3.11/BU (Net)
TRADED Feb 12, 2021
