(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Corn imports, larger crop prospects pressure barley

StatCan expected to raise barley crop estimate

MarketsFarm — The feed barley market in Western Canada remains relatively flat as steady corn imports from the U.S. keep domestic feeders well supplied. Ideas that Canadian production ended up above earlier expectations were also keeping a lid on the domestic market. Delivered barley into the Lethbridge, Alta. area is currently priced in the $300-$320 […] Read more



“It has to be family, farm and then commission work. Those should be your priorities at
all times.”

Don’t fear involvement in ag groups, say commission reps

There are more benefits than losses when you nominate yourself for a board

Reading Time: 5 minutes It’s election season for many of Alberta’s farm organizations but it can feel like pulling teeth to get farmers involved, say representatives of grower groups. The positions are not necessarily as time-consuming as farmers may think because there are many people to help and in many cases work-life balance is prioritized. “It has to be […] Read more

Harvest sample program runs until month’s end

Harvest sample program runs until month’s end

Reading Time: < 1 minute Farmers have until Nov. 30 to submit samples to the Canadian Grain Commission’s Harvest Sample Program. It’s a voluntary program open to all Canadian grain producers. In exchange for the samples, they’ll receive valuable insight into the quality of the crop they have available to market this crop year, including:


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: U.S. corn moving into Canadian feedlots

Canada's feed grain exports down on year

MarketsFarm — The steady flow of corn from the United States into Canadian feedlots should keep prices for domestic feed grains under pressure for the foreseeable future. Canada imported 91,100 tonnes of corn from the U.S. during the week ended Nov. 2, taking the marketing-year-to-date total to 221,700 tonnes, according to the latest U.S. Department […] Read more

Malteurop, which operates a malt house at the east end of Winnipeg, is one of several malting companies with a presence in Manitoba. (Dave Bedard photo)

CMBTC study finds new malting barley lines a fit for Manitoba

Agronomic traits in new varieties overcome disease issues that held crop back

Manitoba farmers have improved prospects to access the more-lucrative malting barley market, according to a recent study. The report by the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC), in collaboration with the Manitoba Crop Alliance, says new Canadian malting barley varieties can be grown successfully in Manitoba. With yields and quality comparable to the check variety […] Read more


Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: Prices to continue slipping back

Feedlots covered for now

MarketsFarm — Feed prices are set continue grinding lower for the balance of 2023, “as domestic end users are covered,” according to Jim Beusekom, president of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. Beusekom pointed to the amount of contracted corn being imported from the United States as well as better-than-expected yields across the Prairies this harvest. […] Read more

‘It might not be a good idea to claim that the price of barley has anything to do with the price of beer.’ – John Morriss.

Opinion: Fighting for low grain prices

One bushel of barley can make 500 bottles of beer, but the Wheat Growers are asking for help to make it cheaper

Reading Time: 3 minutes It used to be that if you wanted to raise a farmer’s blood pressure, you only had to suggest that an increase in bread prices was due to a change in the price of wheat. That started in the 1970s after wheat prices skyrocketed to the $6 per bushel range after the “Great Grain Robbery,” […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Grains see flat demand, price movement

A clearer picture of new-crop corn availability may provide direction

MarketsFarm — Recent demand for feed grains from feedlots has been in a standstill, according to Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta. “It’s been flat, probably since the end of September. We haven’t seen any big changes when it comes to demand or prices,” she said. “From what we’ve been […] Read more

Keeping grains safe when in storage

Keeping grains safe when in storage

Reading Time: < 1 minute Storage considerations must be top of mind as a variable crop is harvested in Alberta. Grain temperature and moisture are two key factors for safe grain storage. If one or both are not properly managed, the risk of spoiled grain can increase significantly. To help prevent spoilage, the Canadian Grain Commission has developed storage charts […] Read more