MarketsFarm — With the hot and dry summer of 2021 now in the rearview mirror, the higher-than-normal prices for Alberta feed wheat and barley are starting to taper off as combining nears completion.

“I think what we’ve been seeing for feed barley prices in (southern Alberta) is anywhere from $380 (per tonne) for October and then close to November and December, we expect $398,” said Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta.

“Right now, we haven’t seen too much demand for November and December and buyers are looking more for October movement.”

The high-delivered bid for feed barley in Alberta was $8.75 per bushel, 50 cents lower than last week but still $3.64 more than the year before, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire data from Wednesday.

As for feed wheat in the province, the high-delivered bid was for $11.02, 54 cents lower than last week but $4.49 higher than last year.

More barley and wheat coming off the ground adds to the available supply of both crops to be used for feed, but feedlots have also purchased more corn and oats for October and November in southern Alberta as of late.

“Even though supplies from the last (Statistics Canada) reports have been lower this year just due to the drought we’ve been seeing, I think the corn coming in will keep the prices pretty stable right now for barley,” Harakal said.

“I think for the next few weeks, I think (prices) are going to stabilize as everyone wraps up harvest and we have a better idea what supplies look like.”

— Adam Peleshaty reports for MarketsFarm from Stonewall, Man.