MarketsFarm — While recent wet weather on the Prairies has helped bring down prices for feed grains, demand — or a lack thereof — has been another primary factor.
“The rains have definitely affected (prices) a bit, but probably not to the extent demand has,” said Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta.
Many feedlots won’t be taking in any more grain until mid-August, but there are still buyers during the summer months, she added.
“We’re finding a lot of feedlots are getting full right now as we get closer to harvest.”
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As the harvest in southern Alberta presses on, a broker said that is one of the factors pulling feed prices lower in the region. Darcy Haley, vice-president of Ag Value Brokers in Lethbridge, added that lower cattle numbers in feedlots, plentiful amounts of grass for cattle to graze and a lacklustre export market also weighed on feed prices.
According to Prairie Ag Hotwire data from Wednesday, both feed barley and feed wheat in Alberta are down 22 cents per bushel compared to last month with high-delivered bids at $7.62 and $9.53/bu., respectively. However, both prices are still more than $2 higher than last year.
Harakal added that the rains have eased growers’ concerns about their own crops and conditions across Alberta have improved.
“I think everything across the board is looking good so far going into July,” she said. “I don’t think there’s going to be much of a change going forward price-wise.”
— Adam Peleshaty reports for MarketsFarm from Stonewall, Man.
