”The worry now is that if we apply the brakes too hard and slow down the economy too much, we will tip ourselves into recession.” – Mike Jubinville.

These are anything but normal times in the markets, says analyst

There’s not one, but three, powerful new factors at play — war, tight supplies, and rising interest rates

Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – We live in strange times, says a veteran market analyst. “I look at these markets as bipolar in some cases,” said Mike Jubinville, senior analyst with MarketsFarm. “On one hand, the macroeconomics have potentially bearish demand implications as fears of a recessionary environment take hold. But on the other hand, we have […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: More corn, oats in feed rations

'Very weird situation to be seeing again'

MarketsFarm — As prices for feed barley and wheat increase, more feedlots are turning to corn, according to Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. at Edmonton. “A lot of places are switching to corn. The desirability of feed barley has been coming down,” she said. “So it will be interesting to see which way the […] Read more


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

Feed weekly outlook: Grain supplies good, freight costs higher

'They don't have as many drivers as normal'

MarketsFarm — There are still sufficient supplies of feed barley and wheat to be had on the Canadian Prairies — but there are issues with getting that feed from point to point, according to Erin Harakal, senior trader at Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. “I do think there are enough supplies from what we have […] Read more

Strong commodity prices to continue: FCC

Strong commodity prices to continue: FCC

Reading Time: < 1 minute Farm Credit Canada is forecasting “another year of excellent crop prices,” albeit with big declines for some crops. The ag lender predicts canola will average $870 a tonne this crop year, which is $100 below the 2021-22 average but well above the five-year average of $490. FCC forecasts spring wheat prices to average $430 a tonne […] Read more


Prices for feed barley and feed wheat in Alberta are higher than last year.  Photo: Canada Beef

Feed weekly outlook: Good quality, yields amid rising feed prices

MarketsFarm – With harvesting operations coming to a close, there were very few complaints about the quality and yields of new crop feed grains, according to one Lethbridge, Alta.-based trader. “Quality-wise, everything’s been sounding good for the most part. A couple of areas might have a bit of lighter bushels, but for the most part […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Alberta feedlot backlog limits demand for feeder cattle 

Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices traded steady to $2 lower on average while calf markets were down $3 to $5. Feedlots in Alberta and Saskatchewan are backed up with significant numbers of market ready fed cattle which has set a negative tone for replacement cattle. Carcass weights are nearing historical highs. Barley […] Read more


Corn west of Mitchell, Man. on Oct. 17, 2018. (Dave Bedard photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Corn imports pressure grain prices in Lethbridge

MarketsFarm — With harvesting operations winding down, high-delivered bids for feed barley and wheat in Alberta are higher compared to the same time last month and last year. However, there is still some volatility in feed grain prices, according to one Lethbridge-based trader. “I think most (of the increase) was (due to) demand, but as […] Read more

Alberta crop yields top 10-year average

Alberta crop yields top 10-year average

Reading Time: < 1 minute With harvest mostly complete, dryland yields were running about six per cent above the 10-year-average, although that varied considerably across Alberta. Aggregate yields for the five major crops (wheat, barley, canola, peas and oats) were just slightly below the 10-year average in the south and northwest. They were seven per cent higher in the northeast, […] Read more


File photo of cattle on feed near Champion, Alta., about 75 km north of Lethbridge. (James_Gabbert/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Uncertain fed cattle market weighs on feeder cattle

U.S. feeder demand seen relatively sluggish

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings (900 lbs. and over) appeared to trade $6-$8 lower on average; yearlings weighing 800-900 lbs. off grass were unchanged. Backgrounded yearlings were also $6-$8 lower. Mid-weight calves were unchanged but calves under 600 lbs. were $3 to as much as $10 lower in some cases. Feedlot operators pulled […] Read more