In a candlestick chart, however, the names are changed. The difference between the open and the close is called the real body. The amount the commodity price moved higher beyond the real body is called the upper shadow. The key difference is the visuals. You can look at the candle chart and immediately spot which bars ended on a positive note and which bars ended the period lower.
 
The amount the commodity price moved lower than the real body is called the lower shadow. If the candle is clear or white it means the opening was lower than the high, and the commodity closed higher than the open. If the candle is coloured or solid then the commodity closed lower than the opening for that period.
 
Candles can be used as an individual indicator, signalling strength or weakness for that given period, or a possible pause or reversal in direction for the upcoming candles. Candles can also be used in conjunction with the preceding or following candles to form a stronger signal for the futures direction of the trends both short and long term. In following lessons we will look first at candles individually and eventually follow up with candle groups as key indicators for interpreting future price moves. •

Feedback is important.  If you find this education series beneficial, please contact Marty Hibbs, Grain Merchandiser at mhibbs@gfo.ca.

DISCLAIMER: This information has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by the author, by Grain Farmers of Ontario, or by any other person as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness and Grain Farmers of Ontario accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss arising from any use of same. •

Grain Farmers of Ontario’s wheat marketing department has been advised that preparations for the soybean harvest are now underway at the Port of Johnstown. To this end, they will no longer be accepting shipments of wheat as of the end day on Friday, September 22, 2017. Farmer-members using the Port of Johnstown as a delivery point for the Wheat Pool should call the office at 1-800-265-0550 with any questions or concerns. •

Applications are now due for the 2018 American Soybean Association (ASA) DuPont Young Leader Program.

The program provides soybean producers with the opportunity to improve your leadership skills and help advance the soybean industry. Participants learn to communicate and influence various groups on important agricultural issues and connect with soybean farmers from ASA affiliates across the United States.

The ASA DuPont Young Leader Program is a two-phase educational program for actively farming couples or individuals 21 years or older: Phase I – Tuesday, November 28 – Thursday, November 30, 2017 in Johnston, Iowa; Phase II – Sunday, February 25, 2018 – Wednesday, February 28, 2018 in Anaheim, California in conjunction with Commodity Classic.

For more information about the ASA DuPont Young Leader Program, and to apply, go to: www.soygrowers.com/learn/young-leader-program. Questions about the program can also be directed to Steve McCabe, manager, Member Relations, Grain Farmers of Ontario at smccabe@gfo.ca  or 226-979-5581. •

Grain Farmers of Ontario will be highlighting the Good in Every Grain and the latest agriculture technology at the International Plowing Match in Walton next week (September 19 – 23). Grain Farmers of Ontario is a bronze sponsor of the IPM and exclusive sponsor of the VIP tent and VIP plowing, where we look forward to welcoming politicians from across the province during opening day. We will also have the Growing Connections trailer exhibit on display in the education area, and, for the second year, we will be hosting the Tech Park. The Tech Park will feature a drone demonstration as well as a modern sprayer and combine. •

Grain Farmers of Ontario held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday. More than 100 delegates attended the event which provided an update on recent activities carried out by the organization. District resolutions were also presented during the meeting and discussions were had on important issues currently facing farmers, such as changes to the Business Risk Management program, proposed small business tax reform, and the impact of the carbon tax. Watch this week’s episode of Inside Grain Farmers of Ontario for more details on the meeting from CEO Barry Senft. •

Directors and staff spent three days at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show this week. It was great to see our farmer-members who stopped by our booth for a coffee and a chat. Many farmer-members shared an update on their crop conditions this year after the wet spring. We also fielded questions about our SellSmart app, price discounts due to vomitoxin in corn, and the proposed tax changes. Grain Farmers of Ontario staff were also pleased to welcome Lloyd Longfield, MP for Guelph, to our booth and the show. •

The Grain Discovery Zone continues to roll across the province! The event trailer, featuring a corn box and other educational activities for children, was in Uxbridge last weekend. Today, Grain Discovery Zone ambassador Lauren Barker is talking with students about Ontario grains at a school education day in Wyoming. Next week, you can find the exhibit in Port Hope.

Be sure to share your corn box fun with us on Twitter @GoodinGrain #GrainDiscoveryZone.  To learn more about the Grain Discovery Zone, check out our schedule of events to find out when we will be at a fair near you. •