MarketsFarm — There are very good prices for feed barley and wheat in Alberta, according to Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton — but two factors could limit their availability.
Leclerc said there is good demand for feed wheat in the province, “but prices are slightly up because we’re not seeing a lot of feed wheat because there’s no quality issues with the crop.” She quoted $12 per bushel for feed wheat of any red variety in northern Alberta.
Although demand for feed barley has remained strong, it too as has slowed recently, Leclerc said. She cited prices in the Calgary area at around $9/bu. while closer to Edmonton they are around $8.60.
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A notable limiting factor has been freight costs. Leclerc said freight this time last October was aboutC$28 per tonne from Edmonton to Lethbridge, but now those charges are around $60. Plus, a worker shortage limits the availability of trucks.
Those sky-high freight rates could determine the amount of feed corn imported from the U.S. by rail over the winter. Leclerc said the imports usually begin in November and might be a worthwhile alternative to barley and wheat.
Feed barley prices on the Prairies were mixed over the last week, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. Prices in Saskatchewan lost 25 cents per bushel at $6.61-$6.75/bu. delivered. However, in Alberta there was a gain of 11 cents at $6.65-$9.25/bu. Also, Manitoba saw an uptick of 25 cents at $6.97-$7.25/bu.
As for feed wheat, Prairie Ag Hotwire noted prices were steady to higher, with an increase of 26 cents coming in Manitoba at $10.84/bu. delivered. Meanwhile, there were no changes in Alberta or Saskatchewan; prices in Alberta remained at $9.13-$12.11/bu. and those in Saskatchewan held at $8.50-$11.75/bu.
— Glen Hallick reports for MarketsFarm from Winnipeg.
