MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada were mostly higher during the week ended Friday, taking some direction from U.S. futures. Midweek strength in the Canadian dollar had pressured basis levels, but the currency retreated to be relatively unchanged on the week. Average Canada Western Red Spring (13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Bids trend higher
Feed weekly outlook: Prices gain strength
MarketsFarm — Harvest activity in the western Canadian Prairies had depressed feed grain prices at the end of August, but prices have recovered slightly. “There’s been a bit of a break in harvest activity,” Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge said. Producers in southern Alberta had been harvesting barley at the end of […] Read more
Shepherds (really) wanted
Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. is seeking shepherds' services for its unique tourist attraction
Reading Time: 3 minutes Fort Saskatchewan is looking for some new shepherds, as Kathy and Ralph Playton are hanging up their shepherd’s crooks. The Alberta city inadvertently created its very popular tourist attraction nearly three decades ago. “In 1992, the railroad moved out of town and it left a huge space of land that was very difficult to mow […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling market remains red hot
Barley harvest well underway in southern Alberta
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher on average; however, in southern Alberta, yearlings traded $6-$8 above week-ago levels. A few auction barns in Alberta held their first feature sales of the fall run and buyers showed up with both hands. The quality of yearlings coming off grass is excellent and […] Read more
Irrigation districts say they’re grateful for provincial funding
This year's allocation is smaller, but there's recognition that 'tax dollars are very hard to come by now'
This year’s allocation is smaller but there’s recognition that ‘tax dollars are very hard to come by now’
Reading Time: 2 minutes It was cheque-cashing time for Alberta’s irrigation districts earlier this month as the provincial government announced $10 million in allocations through the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program (IRP) for the 2020-21 budget year. In place for over 50 years, the IRP is a 75-25 cost-share program between the province and Alberta’s irrigation districts. As its name suggests, […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Gains for CWRS, CPSR as durum drops
MarketsFarm — Wheat bids in Western Canada were higher for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) wheats the week ended Thursday. However, prices for Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) dropped. Support came from significant increases in Chicago, Minneapolis and Kansas City wheat futures, but a stronger Canadian dollar held back […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Grain prices soften into fall
MarketsFarm — Old-crop feed grain prices are converging with new-crop and coming under some seasonal pressure. “As we get closer to new crop, we’ve been seeing the switch to new-crop prices from old-crop,” said Erin Harakal, a senior trader with Agfinity in Lethbridge. Feed barley prices are around $195-$200 per tonne delivered in the Lethbridge […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: How long can canola rally last?
MarketsFarm — Canola on ICE Futures has continued to push higher over the last week largely due to the growing strength in soyoil on the Chicago Board of Trade. “We got soyoil at a seven-month high and that’s certainly a supportive factor in continuing to underpin our market,” said Keith Ferley, a trader with RBC […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling prices on fire
Canada's cattle herd remains in contraction stage
Compared to last week, yearlings coming off grass traded $3-$5 higher; backgrounded yearlings were $1-$3 higher on average while calf markets were relatively unchanged. February and April live cattle futures closed marginally lower for the week; however, fed cattle basis levels from U.S. packers are very strong for winter and spring. This appears to be […] Read more
One in 10 ag societies could close their doors by next year
There’s been no government aid, revenues have fallen to near zero, and reserves have been used up
Reading Time: 4 minutes Two world wars couldn’t stop them. The Spanish flu couldn’t shut them down. But if government support doesn’t come soon, COVID-19 might do what those global crises couldn’t — close the doors forever on century-old agriculture societies across the country. “I’ll be honest, we have less than six months,” said Jenelle Saskiw, general manager of […] Read more