MarketsFarm — As the harvest across most of the Prairies begins to wind down, price movement for feed barley has remained fairly stable, according to Erin Harakal, senior trader for Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. “October is getting covered is what’s happening. There’s not too much room left for October,” Harakal said, noting the midway […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley values steady, wheat rises
New guide on managing straw
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta’s cereal groups along with their prairie counterparts have created a straw management guide. The six-page primer covers nutrient content, how nutrients are released, the value of organic matter, and methods for managing excess straw and residue. The nutrient portion of the guide looks at how much nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur is typically found […] Read more
Should soil organic matter be a factor in insurance premiums?
Research, including a study here, has found higher organic matter reduces drought impact
Reading Time: 4 minutes Farmers may one day see lower crop insurance premiums if they have high levels of organic matter in their soil. A study by the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation found that farms with higher soil organic matter have better yields and lower crop insurance claims. In the region between Edmonton and Red Deer, AFSC researchers divided fields according […] Read more
Klassen: Demand fears cause feeder cattle market volatility
Barley values continue upward
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $4 higher to as much as $6 lower. Strength was noted in the eastern Prairie regions while the market was softer in Alberta. Western Canadian calves were extremely volatile, trading $5 higher to as much as $10 lower in some cases. It’s not uncommon for markets […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prairie barley market still strong
Availability of trucks remains an issue
MarketsFarm — The feed barley market remains strong despite the influx of freshly harvested supplies, with little competition from other feed sources. “The markets have been coming up steadily, with what feels like no harvest pressure,” said Suzanne Leclerc, owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton. “People were hoping the market would get lower and […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Good grain yields seen in Saskatchewan, Manitoba
MarketsFarm — Despite delays in the ongoing barley and wheat harvests across the eastern Prairies, early indications have suggested healthy amounts of grain production. “Eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba still have a bit of harvest to go, but generally the yields are good,” Glen Loyns, general manager of JGL Commodities at Moose Jaw, Sask., said. “Quality […] Read more
Harvest sample program now open
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Grain Commission harvest sample program is now open. The free program gives producers a host of info that can be used when marketing or delivering grain. This includes an unofficial grade; dockage for canola; protein content for cereals and pulses; oil, protein and chlorophyll content for canola; falling number for wheat and rye; […] Read more
Watch the big picture and local situation, say grain market analysts
A slowing global economy is a key storyline but so is the basis offered by your local elevator
Reading Time: 4 minutes Global economies appear to be “falling off a cliff,” with reduced demand for crude oil and other commodities pressuring grain prices downward, says an Alberta-based commodities analyst. At the same time, lower than expected U.S. corn yields are supporting canola, wheat and soybean prices, said Errol Anderson, president of ProMarket Communications. Be ready to move […] Read more
Klassen: Weaker Canadian dollar supports feeder market
Weather optimal for bringing in fresh replacements
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded steady to $2 higher on average while calves traded $2 higher to $4 lower. The calf market was hard to define due to limited numbers while larger supplies of yearlings were on offer in Manitoba this past week. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prairie grain bids see surprising harvest strength
MarketsFarm — Feed grain bids in Western Canada have shown some strength in recent weeks, despite the advancing harvest. “We’ve been seeing a rally through harvest, which is an odd thing,” grain merchant Jay Janzen of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. said. He tied the unseasonable strength to solid demand and a lack of significant […] Read more
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