Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged. Heifer and steer calves were quoted steady to $3 lower on average but the market was harder to define due to limited numbers. Small packages of calves of various quality resulted in the wide-ranging price structure. Buying interest for grassers appears to have subsided. […] Read more
Klassen: Barley price forecasts enhance feeder cattle demand
Recent rains nearly guarantee at least average yields
Feed weekly outlook: Rains boost Prairie grain prospects
MarketsFarm — Heavy rains in Alberta and western Saskatchewan over the past week should give grain crops a good start to the growing season — and put some pressure on the feed grain market, which remains at historically high prices after last year’s drought. The rain “will kick the production can a fairly good ways […] Read more
Ottawa’s focus on green programs a concern for some farm groups
Focus On Practical Energy: While the programs are fine, producers also need ones that don’t fall into the green ‘bucket,’ they say
Reading Time: 4 minutes The flood of federal funding for adopting environmentally friendly farming practices is a positive step, but also a “drop in the bucket,” says the general manager of Alberta’s cereal commissions. Producers should definitely apply for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (which offers 85 cents on the dollar for certain green practices), said Tom Steve of […] Read more
Klassen: Rains enhance demand for grass cattle
Deferred cattle futures showing strength
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged; steer calves under 700 lbs. were steady to $2 higher on average; heifer calves were steady to $5 higher. Southern Alberta, along with the western half of Alberta, received 30-40 mm of rain over the week which enhanced demand for […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prices slip slightly
MarketsFarm — There has been scant movement in feed grain prices over the last week, according to Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton, who noted demand has backed off a little. Buyers have stepped away following rains throughout much of the province, including the drought-stricken south. In turn, she said, prices “softened slightly.” […] Read more
Klassen: Negative feeding margins temper strength in feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings weighing over 800 lbs. traded steady to $2 lower on average. Feeder cattle under 800 lbs. were relatively unchanged. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at an average price of $288 delivered, down from the range of $288-$290 seven days earlier. Using a 60 […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Rains forecast for southern Alberta
MarketsFarm — The prospect of rain over drought-stricken southern Alberta, with Calgary and Lethbridge possibly seeing at least 30 millimetres from June 4 to 7, would seem to be a godsend for growers. However, recent history suggests the moisture may not matter in the long term, according to Mike Fleischhauer of Eagle Commodities Ltd. at […] Read more
Klassen: Steady demand supports feeder cattle prices
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged. Weakness in deferred live cattle futures and uncertainty in the feed grain market tempered the upside for all weight categories of replacement cattle. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $288-$290 delivered, steady to $2 lower […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Feedlots shopping for new-crop barley
MarketsFarm — While corn imported from the U.S. was the grain of choice for Alberta feedlots for the past few months, feed barley has slowly become more in demand. Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta., explained that some feedlots were already having their cattle feed on grass as summer approaches. […] Read more
Wastewater regulation eased for Nova Scotia on-farm processing
Nova Scotia has introduced regulatory changes that allow on-farm processing operations to better manage wastewater on their smaller scale. The changes, which took effect May 11, come at the request of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture (NSFA) — which has said that owners of small farm-level processing facilities shouldn’t be treated the same as […] Read more
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