(Dave Bedard photo)

Ending stocks tumble due to drought: StatCan

Canola stocks are below 'pipeline levels'

MarketsFarm — Severe drought in Western Canada during the summer of 2021 has played a major part in reducing the stocks for Canada’s principal field crops at the end of the 2021-22 marketing year, according to Statistics Canada. Canada’s central data agency released a report Wednesday presenting total ending stocks for the country’s major crops […] Read more

Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: Grain prices start moving upward

New-crop barley already en route to feedlots

MarketsFarm — Hot temperatures and a lack of precipitation in recent days are helping Alberta growers make significant progress, according to Lethbridge-based Market Place Commodities’ president Jim Beusekom. “In southern Alberta, (the harvest) is doing just fine,” he said. “We had some rain last week. Some (had) more, some less. Last week limited how much […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder markets digest StatCan data

Barley crop expected up 34 per cent on year

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $2 higher. Yearling prices have strengthened by $8-$10 over the past four weeks. Calf values were relatively unchanged but the market was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying on a dressed basis from $300 to $302 delivered, up $1-$2 […] Read more

Plant breeders and customers spoke to the Olds College Lacombe Field Day on July 27. From left to right: Lori Oatway, Olds College; Kevin Sich, Rahr Malting, and Flavio Capettini,
Olds College.

Olds researchers aim for better brew of malting barley varieties

Breeders aim for a package that keeps both the farmers and the customers happy

Reading Time: 2 minutes Plant breeders have many challenges, but malting barley breeders have an extra one. Customers sometimes like their varieties so much that they’re reluctant to change to ones that are better for farmers. “We are looking at things that are not only going to be good in production and give farmers higher yields and ultimately more […] Read more


File photo of a sunrise over an Alberta barley crop. (MNphotography/iStock/Getty Images)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley harvest begins in Alberta

Prices continue easing

MarketsFarm — The barley harvest has already started in Alberta and prices continue to ease downward, according to one trader. “Around Lethbridge, they seem to have a good portion done,” said Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta. “Some areas in the north are starting, as well. The Edmonton area, Red […] Read more

Wheat in progress west of Pathlow, Sask. on Aug. 1, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Prices lower despite mixed growing conditions

MarketsFarm — While not as widespread as last year’s historic drought, some parts of Alberta are still struggling with hot and dry conditions. Suzanne Leclerc, owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton, said growing conditions for feed grains across the province are varied. “As usual for the last couple of years, such a mixed review,” […] Read more


Another big wheat crop shaping up in Australia

Another big wheat crop shaping up in Australia

Reading Time: < 1 minute The U.S. Department of Agriculture attaché in Australia says the country is expected to produce a third consecutive big grain crop in marketing year 2022-23. The report said another broadly favourable set of conditions around the time of winter grain planting and the early growth phase across most production regions bodes well for wheat and […] Read more




Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: Declining prices not raising buyers’ interest 

MarketsFarm – Despite prices for Western Canadian feed barley and wheat continuing to decline, buyers are not opening their wallets just yet. Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. in Stony Plain, Alta., said while growing prospects of a more typical harvest are making cereal crops more affordable, there is still a wait-and-see attitude from […] Read more