It’s a straightforward forecast for this period as the general weather pattern looks to be pretty quiet. It starts with a large area of high pressure centred over the Great Lakes with a weak area of low pressure over Alberta. The Great Lakes high will put sunny skies and warm temperatures over much of Manitoba […] Read more

Prairie Forecast: Mostly sunny and warm
Issued Aug. 30, covering Aug. 30 to Sept. 6

Klassen: Calf numbers down in Western Canada
StatCan figures a surprise to the trade
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets were relatively unchanged. Yearlings straight off grass were very well bid and prices held value. Yearlings over 800 lbs. on light grain ration were quoted $15-$20 discount to those cattle coming straight off pasture. We’re seeing heavier calves around 800 lbs. trade at $330-$340. Increased calf numbers […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Barley, wheat prices now steady
U.S. corn imports keep lid on barley values
MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley and wheat didn’t change much for the most part during the week ended Thursday, according to Erin Harakal of Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. “This week it has been pretty steady compared to the end of last week,” Harakal said, noting barley prices dropped about $20 per tonne. “Just […] Read more

Prairie forecast: unsettled to start then clearing and warmer
Issued Aug. 23, covering Aug. 23 to 30
Once again, the weather models are in good agreement so confidence in this forecast is fairly high. The only possible issue is that the different weather systems are rather weak which means timing of the systems can change easily. This forecast period starts off with two weak areas of low pressure, one over southern Manitoba, […] Read more

Klassen: Feedlots aggressively secure ownership
StatCan cattle inventory report due out soon
Compared to last week, yearlings straight off grass sold $3-$5 higher on average. In certain cases, larger groups of higher quality genetics traded $8-$12 above week-ago levels. Auction markets had larger volumes this past week and there was strong demand across all weight categories. It’s that time of year when major operations are stepping forward […] Read more

Livestock tax deferral list begins in West for 2023
AgriRecovery work 'progressing,' feds say
The level of drought in parts of Western Canada so far this year has given the federal government a head start in drafting its list of jurisdictions where producers can get in on the livestock tax deferral provision. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay on Monday announced an initial list of designated regions for the provision for […] Read more

Prairie Forecast Update: Southern areas may get Hilary’s leftovers
Issued Aug. 20, covering Aug. 20-23
An interesting weather pattern is currently in place across western North America with Tropical Storm Hilary taking an unusual northerly track as it comes in off the Pacific Ocean south of California. Tropical storms or hurricanes in that region normally do one of two things: they either recurve back out into the Pacific, or move […] Read more

Prairie cash wheat: Spring wheat bids drop with U.S. futures
Crop concerns supportive for durum
MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada fell in sympathy with U.S. futures during the week ended Thursday, although durum climbed higher on the back of production concerns in key durum-growing areas of southern Saskatchewan. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down by $7.60-$9.70 per tonne across […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Market steady in face of harvest, U.S. corn imports
Imports weigh on domestic barley values
MarketsFarm — The feed grain market in Western Canada is holding reasonably steady as harvest operations progress and corn imports continue to come up from the United States. Anecdotal harvest reports were varied so far, with surprisingly positive results from some growers and others who missed out on showers ending up with lower yields, according […] Read more

Prairie Forecast: Upper ridge to bring the heat
Issued Aug. 16, covering Aug. 16-23
After going through a couple of weeks of tough forecasting, with little agreement among the weather models, this forecast period is looking a little more stable with the two main weather models for our region in basic agreement. We start off this forecast with a low over Manitoba that is quickly moving east. To the […] Read more