(Geralyn Wichers photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Demand for feed grains ‘in a lull’

U.S. corn harvest a work in progress

MarketsFarm — Despite prices continuing to come down for feed grains in Western Canada, demand for them is currently at a standstill, according to Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton. “I think we’re in that lull time right now between corn and barley (deliveries) as the (U.S.) corn harvest is underway,” Leclerc said, […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Steam evaporates off yearling market

August 2024 feeder futures at a premium

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $4 lower. The yearling quality continues to fade as thicker flesh levels are starting to appear. Steer calves were down $4-$8 on average while heifer calves were down $15 to as much as $20 in some cases. From a seasonal perspective, the calf market […] Read more


A wild horse on Alberta's eastern slopes.

Feral horse management framework released

Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta has a new, science-based management framework that’s meant to recognize feral horses and ensure their future sustainability. More than 1,400 feral horses roam across six equine management zones in Alberta. Some zones face significant challenges to long-term sustainability, the province says, because of the number of horses on the landscape. Alberta’s public rangelands are […] Read more

Barley. (Doug Wilson photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Feed weekly outlook: Lack of overseas demand brings down prices

'It feels like for now, we've kind of bottomed out'

MarketsFarm — As the grain harvest wraps up in Western Canada, feed grain prices continued to move downward. However, harvest pressure was not the only reason for their declines. Evan Peterson of JGL Commodities at Moose Jaw, Sask. heard others say their crops were larger than anticipated — but there were additional factors adding pressure […] Read more


File photos of Yukon ranchland. (StockstudioX/iStock/Getty Images)

Prairie Forecast: Building western ridge to bring warming trend

Issued Oct. 4, covering Oct. 4-10

Last week’s weather forecast played out close to what the weather models were predicting. Western regions saw cooler-than-average temperatures move in, while eastern regions saw a brief return to summer-like temperatures. This pattern was a response to an area of low pressure that spun up over the central U.S. during the second half of the […] Read more

Wheat harvest near Priddis, southwest of Calgary.

Alberta cereals harvest surprisingly resilient

Dryland farmers in the south took a hit, but other regions pulled up the provincial average

Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta’s cereal crop production wasn’t terrible this year, but only if judging by provincial averages. Alberta Financial Services Corporation publishes the provincial crop report along with field staff at Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. As harvest unfolds, they’ve seen total yield estimates rise week by week. In its most recent edition, barley yield expectations increased by […] Read more


File photo of cattle in an Alberta feedlot. (Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Feeder market falters at record highs

Risk premiums in market seen eroding

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 to as much as $8 lower on average. Calf markets were relatively unchanged to $10 lower. There was moderate demand for top quality grass yearlings but plainer types experienced softer buying interest. Pre-conditioned calves held value but unweaned bawlers appear to set back $5-$10. Seasonally, […] Read more

(Government of Alberta via Flickr)

Alberta harvest nearing its finish

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — With a 14-point gain on the week, the Alberta harvest surpassed the three-quarters complete mark. As of Tuesday, Alberta farmers reached 79 per cent finished, just as cooler but drier weather was about to set in, the province reported. While contending with mostly dry conditions, the harvest over the week was 16 points […] Read more


File photo of barley being loaded off the combine. (Collab Media/iStock/Getty Images)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley bids near bottom post-harvest

Feed corn values narrowing against barley

MarketsFarm — After a better-than-expected harvest across the Canadian Prairies, feed grain prices on the region either have bottomed out or soon will, according to Evan Peterson of JGL Commodities in Saskatoon. “They’ve dropped significantly in the past three to four weeks as harvest pressure kicked off,” he said, citing feed barley going into feedlot […] Read more

File photo of autumn colours around Lake Diefenbaker in Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park. (Nancy Anderson/iStock/Getty Images)

Prairie Forecast: Summer tries to hang on

Issued Sept. 27, covering Sept. 27 to Oct. 4

For being this far into fall, the weather models have been surprisingly accurate. Heck, I didn’t even need to send an update for the last issue! Not sure if I can be as optimistic for this forecast period, as we are moving deeper into fall and starting to see the first hints of winter trying […] Read more