Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 lower; calves weighing 500 to 650 lbs. traded $2-$4 lower while lighter weights under 500 lbs. were steady to $5 higher. There is a distinct price structure for each weight category, depending on the time frame for the finished animal. The overall feeder […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger barley prices weigh on feeder market
Feed weekly outlook: Prairie grain prices on rise despite harvest
MarketsFarm — Feed barley and wheat prices in Western Canada have been showing some unusual strength in late September, with prices rising despite seasonal harvest pressure. “Right now we’ve been seeing a lot of talk about exports and the need for feed at feedlots,” said Erin Harakal, senior trader at Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. […] Read more
Klassen: Quality features influence feeder cattle prices
Western Canadian yearling markets have traded in a sideways range over the past couple of weeks; major feedlot operators have been aggressive for 800-pound-plus feeders just off grass because these cattle are most efficient and therefore, most profitable. Grass yearlings were quoted steady to as much as $5 higher this past week. Backgrounded yearlings were […] Read more
Fusarium removal from pest act sparks protest
Farmers in north fear the regulatory change will open the doors to fusarium — and make cereal crops unprofitable
Reading Time: 7 minutes The removal of fusarium head blight from Alberta’s Agricultural Pests Act has sparked protests from farmers in the as-yet-uninfected northern parts of the province. “My biggest concern is that we’re opening the gates to infect thus far uninfected areas of the province,” said Janice Reyda, who farms in the Peace Country near Brownvale. “Fusarium is […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prices stronger after harvest
MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices have been higher as the harvest has concluded across most of the Canadian Prairies. “It feels like last week and this week, the harvest has wrapped up in many areas,” said Allen Pirness, a trader with Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. “That should switch the focus for getting the crop […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling market holding value
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calves traded $3 higher to $3 lower on average. The yearling run is well underway and there was no shortage of buying interest. Finishing feedlots were very aggressive on quality packages coming fresh off grass. Once again, buyers focused on local cattle, causing […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley finds support in lull between old, new crops
MarketsFarm — Feed barley bids in Western Canada are seeing some modest strength in early September, as old-crop supplies run out and the new crop is not yet available. “Prices have definitely gone up this past week,” said Mike Fleischhauer of Eagle Commodities at Lethbridge. Expectations for a good 2020 crop had farmers making space […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling markets mixed
Compared to last week, yearling prices for western Canadian were down $2-$5 on average with the exception of southern Alberta where prices were relatively unchanged. Major feedlots in the Lethbridge area focused on local cattle which contributed to the firmer tone. Outside of Feedlot Alley, weakness in the deferred live cattle futures had buyers on […] Read more
StatsCan stocks report shows lower lentils, durum, canola
Lentil supply picture 'extremely tight'
MarketsFarm — Statistics Canada’s stocks of principal field crops report detailed tight ending stocks for lentils durum and canola. As of July 31, lentil stocks totalled just 61,000 tonnes, down by 91.5 per cent from last year. Exports were up by over 30 per cent year-over-year, which accounted for some of the decrease. “It’s an […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Prices gain strength
MarketsFarm — Harvest activity in the western Canadian Prairies had depressed feed grain prices at the end of August, but prices have recovered slightly. “There’s been a bit of a break in harvest activity,” Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge said. Producers in southern Alberta had been harvesting barley at the end of […] Read more