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8️⃣ Macro Meltdown
Macro mayhem: Trade tensions spark market selloff as commodities reel and investors panic.
Daily Yield
April 07, 2025 • Read time: 7 minutes
🌟 Editor's Note
Good morning. Big history moment in sports as Russian hockey star Alex Ovechkin has surpassed Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal-scoring record. At 39 years old, Ovechkin netted his 895th career goal during his 1,487th NHL game, the exact number of games Gretzky played in his career.
🏒 8️⃣ Goal no. 895
While Ovechkin’s lighting up lamps, the markets are busy lighting up dumpsters. Let’s dive in!
📊 Market Pulse
Markets Macro Monday Recap:
From a Canadian vantage point, last week was a week where macro and markets collided, and nobody walked away clean. Equity markets across North America reeled as a wave of protectionist trade policy from Washington sparked panic and repositioning. The S&P 500 cratered 9.1%, the Dow tumbled nearly 8%, and the Nasdaq crossed into bear territory.
But for Canadian investors and ag-industrial players, the more telling signals were in the commodities tape. Crude oil slipped 3.6%, with energy names under pressure as markets began pricing in softer global demand. Copper, a proxy for industrial activity, shed 2.2%, hurt by weak Chinese PMI data and a rising U.S. dollar.
Closer to home, the agriculture complex wasn’t spared. Canola prices pulled back sharply as traders feared spillover damage from Chinese tariffs aimed at U.S. soybeans, Canada could face indirect demand loss. Soybeans themselves took a beating, down on retaliation fears and declining export sentiment. Wheat dropped on aggressive Russian export activity and heavy global supply, while corn faced pressure from the same tariff headlines and seasonal acreage chatter.
Even live cattle eased lower, with North American packers navigating tighter margins and looming global trade uncertainty in the protein space.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar climbed 1.1%, a classic flight to safety, and the 10-year Treasury yield eased to 4.05%. Capital went defensive. Traders went liquid. And investors across Canada and the U.S. alike are now recalibrating around a world where ag is back in the trade war crosshairs.
Key Takeaway:
This week showed that when trade gets weaponized, it’s the commodity and industrial sectors, especially in North America, that bleed first. And Canucks in the know? They’re watching policy and FX just as closely as futures.
🚀 The Bulls and The Bears
Bullish Trends:
Corn's Holding Strong: Despite the broader market turmoil, corn prices have shown resilience. This steadiness is partly because Mexico, a major buyer of U.S. corn, was spared from recent tariff hikes. Farmers are also leaning more towards planting corn over soybeans, given the current market dynamics. source
Bearish Trends:
Soybeans Take a Hit: China's retaliatory tariffs, including a hefty 34% duty on U.S. goods, have put a dent in soybean prices. With China being a top consumer, this move has led to a significant drop in demand and prices. source
Wheat Feels the Pressure: The grain market's bearish sentiment is influenced by favorable weather forecasts and ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, which have eased concerns about Black Sea supply disruptions. source
Oil's Slippery Slope: Oil prices have plunged to their lowest since the pandemic began, driven by escalating trade tensions and China's broad retaliatory measures affecting key exports like oil and natural gas. source
🦄 Startup Spotlight
FarmWise: AI-Powered Precision Weeding
FarmWise is an agricultural technology company specializing in AI-driven robotics designed to automate precision weeding and thinning processes. Their flagship product, the Vulcan weeder, utilizes artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotics to identify and remove weeds, offering farmers an efficient alternative to traditional herbicide use.
The Backstory: Founded in 2016 by Sebastien Boyer and Thomas Palomares. FarmWise was established with the mission to address labor shortages and reduce chemical usage in agriculture through advanced robotics.
Key Innovation: Vulcan weeder, a significant advancement in agricultural robotics. The Vulcan can distinguish between crops and weeds with high precision, enabling targeted weed removal without the need for herbicides.
Acquisition: In April 2025, Taylor Farms, a leading producer of ready-to-eat salads and fresh foods, acquired FarmWise. This strategic move aligns with Taylor Farms' commitment to advancing agricultural technology and sustainable farming practices.
🔥 In Case You Missed It…
💸 Potential aid for American farms incoming. The Trump administration is considering financial assistance for American farmers to offset impacts from recent tariff policies. They could mirror previous actions where approximately $23 billion was distributed to support farmers. source
🧬 Scotland's debating it’s stance on genetically edited crops. The Scottish National Party is reconsidering its opposition to genetically edited crops. Consultations are underway to determine if such crops align with Scotland’s interests. source
🪵 USDA's forest management reforms. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced reforms to protect national forests and boost domestic timber production. This initiative aims to reduce wildfire risks and support the timber industry. source
🚀 The Big Picture
Beyond Gadgets: AgTech's Shift to Managed Services
 | TL;DR:
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For years, the agtech space has been overflowing with gadgets, platforms, and buzzwords, but let’s be honest, farmers don’t need more tech. They need tech that works.
Farmers Edge is calling time on the traditional product-push model. Instead of selling software and hoping users figure it out, they're pivoting toward a managed service approach, think full-stack support, integration, and real results. It’s about meeting farmers where they are, handling the complexity, and delivering outcomes, not just interfaces.
The next wave of agtech winners won’t just build better tools, they’ll make sure those tools actually deliver value in the field.
📚 Suggested read
"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."
Did You Know? Cows have best friends, and get stressed when separated. And when paired with their BFF, cows’ heart rates drop, and they stay calmer overall. But separate them? Instant cow drama.
Till next time,
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