For the week ending March 30, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $4 to $6 higher on average. Fleshier backgrounded yearlings were relatively unchanged. Buyers were fairly cautious on backgrounded heifers with some packages actually softer than seven days earlier. Larger strings of quality genetic, low flesh steers were up $6 to as much as $10 in some cases. Weaned, premium, calves were up a solid $5 to $6 on average.
Klassen: Feeder market resumes the climb
Feed Grain Weekly: Barley prices up weeks before seeding
Southern Alberta is seeing a slight bump up in feed barley prices, according to one trader.
Prairie forecast: Spring trying to regain control
Forecast issued March 27, covering March 27 to April 3, 2024
The main weather maker will be a trough of low pressure forecasted to develop over the northwestern U.S. today, which will then track eastwards over the next several days.
Klassen: Feeder market rally stalls
Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quoted $3-$4/cwt on either side of unchanged.
Spring wheat bids edge higher in Western Canada
Spring wheat bids in Western Canada moved higher during the week ended March 21, as wheat futures in the United States continued to recover off their nearby lows.
Alberta barley breeding centre relaunched
"Western Crop Innovations will carry on the Field Crop Development Centre’s substantial legacy, ensuring its work is addressing the issues farmers are facing in the fields," said RJ Sigurdson, Alberta's minister of agriculture and irrigation in a news release Wednesday.
Prairie forecast: Is winter making one last push?
Issued March 20, covering March 20-27, 2024
A sprawling Arctic high pressure system is poised to dominate the region, ushering in colder-than-normal temperatures reminiscent of January's grip, but not as cold. While cold snaps this time of year often bring snow, the prevailing high pressure suggests storm activity will largely skirt the area, save for southern and southwestern Alberta where significant snowfall is anticipated.
Klassen: Feeder market adjusts to lower supplies
Western Canadian prices for backgrounded replacements were $2 to $4 higher than last week. Lower flesh yearlings were valued $3 to $8 above week-ago levels. Prices for calves under 800 pounds were up $3 to $7 compared to seven days earlier with noted strength in feeders under 600 pounds.
Farmers, oil drillers in parched Alberta brace for water shortage
Drought could cause double-digit declines in Alberta's wheat yields, data suggests
Drought in Alberta is stretching into its fourth year and farmers and oil companies are planning for water restrictions that threaten production of wheat, beef and crude.
Prairie forecast: Very warm west, mild but a little unsettled east
Issued March 13, covering March 13 to 20
The cold weather has also been replaced by above average temperatures. The question I have been hearing the most is--has spring arrived or is there still a bit of winter left to be felt?