Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $2 higher while calf prices were unchanged to $4 lower. Yearling supplies are limited and there appeared to be a surge of buying interest for 850-lb. thin-fleshed replacements. Alberta fed cattle basis levels for the second quarter of 2023 have above average and the […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market experiences diverse price behaviour
Manitoba calves hold a premium over Sask., Alta.
Prairie cash wheat: Bids drop with U.S. futures
Canadian dollar also down on week
MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada moved lower during the week ended Thursday, as U.S. wheat futures posted losses — although softness in the Canadian dollar did provide some underlying support. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down by $3.50-$6.40 per tonne across the Prairies, according […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Looming corn imports to keep lid on Prairie barley
MarketsFarm — Large shipments of corn from the U.S., slated for delivery to Alberta’s feedlot alley, should keep domestic barley prices under pressure going forward, according to an analyst. “The barley price here will gradually decline,” said Errol Anderson of Pro Market Communications in Calgary, adding that up to 30 unit trains of U.S. corn […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market rations demand
Risk discount built in with adverse weather
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calf prices were steady to $6 lower. Demand from Ontario buyers caused markets in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan to hold value. Alberta prices were under pressure as the market appears to be rationing demand. Calf prices are 25-30 per cent higher than year-ago […] Read more
Police help round up Alberta ostriches on lam
Several wander into Taber, become social media stars
Most of a flock of farmed ostriches that got free of their pen near the southern Alberta town of Taber have been rounded up, but not before grabbing their proverbial 15 minutes’ fame. Taber-Vauxhall RCMP said in a release Thursday afternoon that they began receiving reports shortly before 8 a.m. that day of ostriches on […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Grain prices expected to hold firm
'The farmer doesn't seem super interested in selling'
MarketsFarm — Feed prices on the Prairies are likely to remain steady through to the new year, according to Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. “I think the markets for now are to be flat,” he said, noting there has been talk in the market of 25 trains of U.S. corn that have […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger deferred live cattle futures support feeder market
Fall run seen moving into final stages
Compared to last week, western Canadian calf markets traded $5 lower to as much as $3 higher. Quality groups of heifers weighing 550-700 lbs. were notably $2-$3 higher and this was largely due to lower supplies of steers. Weather conditions improved in southern Alberta, which was supportive; however, buyers were cautious. Quality pre-conditioned calves held […] Read more
Drought expands across western Prairies
MarketsFarm — Drought conditions expanded across Alberta and Saskatchewan in October, with very little precipitation across the agricultural regions of the two provinces since August. That’s according to the latest Canadian Drought Monitor from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, as of Oct. 31. At the end of that month, 72 per cent of the Prairie region […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Bids steady following Ukraine volatility
U.S. wheat futures up on week
MarketsFarm — A roller-coaster type of week for grain markets, fuelled by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, ended with slightly higher bids for western Canadian wheat for the week ended Thursday. As optimism grew over the renewal of Russia’s agreement to allow Ukrainian grain shipments on the Black Sea, wheat futures on the […] Read more
Klassen: Adverse weather limits demand for calves
Stronger Canadian dollar adds pressure
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 higher. Calves traded steady to $10 lower in Alberta while markets in Saskatchewan and Manitoba were quoted $5 lower to $2 higher. Adverse weather resulted in a softer tone for calves with Lethbridge temperatures dipping to -25 to -33 C last week. The […] Read more
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