MarketsFarm — The western Canadian feed grain market is showing signs of finding a bottom, as buyers wait to get a better handle on the quality of grain still unharvested across the Prairies. Feed barley is currently trading at around $200 per tonne in southern Alberta, while feed wheat bids are around $210, according to […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prairie grain market finding a bottom
Japan trade deal aims to put U.S. farmers on par with TPP
Washington | Reuters — The new U.S.-Japan trade deal will provide staged reduction of Japanese tariffs for more than US$2 billion worth of U.S. beef and pork, matching access now granted to the 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact countries, a text of the agreement shows. U.S. President Donald Trump presided over a White House signing […] Read more
Klassen: Adverse weather tempers feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$5 lower. Excessive snow in Alberta and ongoing rains across Manitoba and Saskatchewan set a negative tone. The market appeared to incorporate a risk discount, although many auction barns had limited numbers on offer. Buyers once again focused on local cattle and avoided transportation over […] Read more
Weather conditions put the chill on harvest progress
Alberta Crop Report: Conditions as of October 1
Reading Time: 5 minutes Harvest progress for major crops is 20 points behind the provincial 5-year average, but on par with progress for this reporting period last year. As compared to last week, 5 per cent more crop is in the bin. The Peace region is 34 points behind its 5-year average, followed by the North East at 25 […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Snowfall boosts spot barley bids
MarketsFarm — Spot barley prices have received support from last weekend’s snows in southern Alberta, but the major barley-growing regions were mostly spared. While the cold and wet weather has delayed harvest activity, a promising forecast should allow for harvest to resume in the Red Deer area, where most of the barley crop is located. […] Read more
University’s ‘Beefier Barley’ billboard binned
A billboard about Alberta barley’s prospects under climate change in the University of Alberta’s ‘Truth Matters’ promotion — a series of ads meant to spark discussion about its researchers’ work — has been winnowed out of the campaign. Jacqui Tam, the Edmonton-based U of A’s vice-president for university relations, announced Sunday it would withdraw the […] Read more
Malt driving demand for soft white spring wheat
Soft white spring acres in Alberta have rebounded thanks to the craft beer movement
Reading Time: 5 minutes Soft white wheat acres are starting to creep up in Alberta, thanks to the burgeoning craft beer movement. “There’s been a growing market for malting soft white wheat,” said Geoff Backman, markets manager with Alberta Wheat and Barley. “It’s been driven by demand from the craft brewing industry, and that’s a nice value-added market on […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling prices remain firm
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets were relatively unchanged with the exception of southern Alberta where 800-plus-lb. feeders traded $5 to as much as $8 higher. Strength in deferred live cattle futures and weakness in barley prices were the main factors driving demand in the Lethbridge area. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s bullish […] Read more
Alberta harvest progress behind in all regions
Alberta Crop Report: Conditions as of September 23
Reading Time: 5 minutes Accumulated precipitation in September has been varied across the province, from less than 20 mm in the eastern parts of the North West Region, western parts of the North East Region and central parts of the Peace Region, to upward of 30 mm in most areas in the Southern and Central Regions, and up to […] Read more
Alberta Barley, Alberta Wheat seek directors and reps
Reading Time: < 1 minute Both Alberta Barley and Alberta Wheat are seeking candidates for directors and regional reps. Alberta Barley has director positions open in Region 3 and Region 4 along with one director-at-large from either Regions 1, 2, 5 or 6. There are also 17 Alberta Barley delegate positions open in the six electoral regions. Elected directors serve […] Read more