Many readers are new to technical analysis and to the cash-market language used for prairie special crops. This glossary defines chart terms plus pulse and oilseed marketing phrases that show up in the Klarenbach Special Crops Report.

We keep it free so you can look up a phrase while reading a level or a scenario.

Dead cat bounce: A slight, brief recovery in a declining market that fails and resumes the downtrend.

Day moving average (DMA): The average closing price over N days (for example 5, 10, 20, 50, or 200 DMA).

Week moving average (WK MA): The average close over N weeks on a weekly chart.

Moving averages (MA): Price-based, lagging indicators that show the average price over a set period.

Fibonacci retracement: Levels drawn between a swing high and swing low at common ratios (often 23.6%, 38.2%, 50%, 61.8%, and 100%) as possible support or resistance during a pullback.

Fibonacci extensions: Levels projected beyond the prior swing for possible targets after a pullback.

TD Sequential (TD): A timing method aimed at spotting potential exhaustion and reversals. A TD9 count often, but not always, precedes a turn.

VWAP (volume-weighted average price): The average price weighted by volume over a period. Above VWAP often reads as stronger short-term sentiment; below, weaker.

YTD (year-to-date): The change from the start of the calendar year — or, when stated, the crop year — through the latest print.

Cash bid / elevator bid: What a buyer posts for physical product of a stated class, size, and grade for a delivery period, usually CAD per hundredweight or tonne.

Basis (where a futures board exists): Cash relative to a futures reference. Many special crops are cash-only markets; when a related board is used, basis still means cash minus that reference.

Index vs elevator bid: An index (for example a Saskatchewan pulse index) is a benchmark average. An elevator bid is what one buyer will pay you. They can diverge by quality, freight, and timing.

Class and size (lentils / peas / chickpeas): Market grades such as red vs green lentils, large vs small green, yellow vs green peas, or kabuli calibre. Different classes often trade as separate markets.

Calibre / size count (kabuli): Chickpea size expressed as seeds per ounce or similar; larger calibre usually commands a premium when demand is there.

Human-consumption vs feed: Food-grade product for packing or export vs feed or splitting channels. Quality and colour specs drive which bid applies.

Split / whole: Whether the crop is marketed whole or after splitting (common in peas and lentils). Splits and wholes can move differently.

Crop year: The marketing year for the crop (often August–July for many prairie special crops). Inventory and "old crop / new crop" talk refers to that calendar.

Carryout / stocks-to-use: Ending stocks relative to use. Tighter stocks-to-use often supports prices; heavy carryout often pressures them — context, not a forecast.

Pulse / special crop: Broad labels for lentils, peas, chickpeas, canaryseed, mustard, and related crops that sit outside the major grain boards.

Flat price: The all-in cash price for the sale after quality and delivery terms.

Deferred delivery / pricing later: Agreeing delivery or ownership now while leaving final price to a later formula or bid — basis and timing risk remain until priced.

Definitions are educational. They are not trading advice and do not quote live prices.