MarketsFarm — Solid demand continues to keep feed barley bids in Western Canada well supported, as end-users work to secure supplies in anticipation of tightening stocks going forward. “Competition for barley is coming from every which direction: grain companies exporting barley, feedlots trying to cover barley, and grain companies trying to cover feedlots,” said Jim […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Demand keeps Canadian barley well supported

Klassen: Feeder market digests rising COVID-19 cases
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calves traded steady to $2 lower on average. The grain harvest is in its final stages and buying interest was noted from the farmer/backgrounding operator. The buying frenzy over yearlings has eased and finishing feedlots were active on all weight categories. Feather-light calves […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Demand from China lifts prices
MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley and wheat have shot up over the last month, including a 76 cent per bushel jump for barley in Alberta, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. In Saskatchewan, barley prices climbed 41 cents per bushel, while in Manitoba the rise has been much more subdued at nine cents. At present […] Read more

Many opportunities open to serve with cereal organizations
Nomination deadlines October 30
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Barley is looking for two directors and nearly two dozen delegates while Alberta Wheat is seeking four directors and six regional reps. The barley commission has one director opening in Region 1 and one director-at-large from either Regions 1, 4, 5 or 6. Its six regions have anywhere from two to six delegate spots […] Read more

‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ as cattle backlog numbers fall
The number of market-ready cattle remains high, but packers have made good progress since spring
Reading Time: 4 minutes In spite of producers’ fears in the spring, things seemed to have settled out a little bit in the cattle market. The shutdown of Cargill in High River and the slowdown of JBS in Brooks left a backlog of cattle that many worried would pummel calf prices this fall. “Our processing was limited in the […] Read more

Klassen: Rising feed grains pressure feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$6 lower with some reports showing prices as much as $10 lower. Calves traded $2-$4 below week-ago levels; however, the market will be more defined next week, with many auction barns scheduling feature calf sales in the major feeding areas of Alberta. Feeding margins in the […] Read more

Do the math before adding more grain storage
Lots of bin space can help you wait out low prices at harvest, but the cost of storage is rising
Reading Time: 2 minutes Having more grain storage can be a big plus, but it’s not a slam dunk, says a market analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “Farmers in Alberta along with growers in other Prairie provinces have more grain storage than most of their worldwide competitors,” said Ryan Furtas. “However, having storage capacity can be a marketing […] Read more

Wheat, canola exports ahead of year-ago pace
MarketsFarm — Canadian grain and oilseed exports are running well ahead of the year-ago level eight weeks into the 2020-21 marketing year, according to the latest data from the Canadian Grain Commission. Total bulk exports of the major grains and oilseeds, as of Sunday, of 7.17 million tonnes compare with the six million exported during […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Bids hold firm in West
MarketsFarm — Feed grain bids in Western Canada remain firm at the beginning of October, with a lack of significant farmer selling keeping the market underpinned as harvest wraps up across the Prairies. The barley harvest is mostly complete across the Prairies, but total yields and production remain to be seen. “The market is still […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures slip as feed grain prices soar
Firm cash prices support CME hogs
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures retreated on Wednesday after the December contract hit its highest price in more than a month, while feeder cattle futures slumped as prices surged for grain used as animal feed. The rally in U.S. grain futures prices hung over cattle markets because livestock producers will be more […] Read more