The supply of top-quality malt barley will be down this year, but Kevin Sich of Rahr Malting says he’s not seeing shortages.

It’s a year of disappointment for most Alberta malt barley growers

Wicked harvest will see a lot of the malt crop downgraded, but maltsters appear to have enough

Reading Time: 4 minutes Jeff Nielsen considers himself one of the lucky ones — he got all his barley off before winter-in-September weather arrived and knows it’s malt quality. “If you got it off before all this crappy weather, you may have malt. If you still have barley now, it’s very doubtful that you have malt,” the Olds-area producer […] Read more


A hot and dry summer has reduced barley weights in many areas, but lighter-weight barley doesn’t have a big impact on daily gain, says a provincial beef specialist.

Lightweight barley works well in cattle feeding program

One study found only a four per cent difference in feed efficiency, but it should be properly processed

Reading Time: 2 minutes Initial reports from this year’s harvest indicate that bushel weight of threshed grains is variable, with barley ranging from 35 to 50 pounds per bushel. “Feedlots and elevators are more than willing to take the heavyweight barley without any hesitation or discounts,” said beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “When barley bushel weights are below […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market holding value

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to as much as $4 higher while calf values traded within $5 on either side of unchanged. Current feedlot margins are hovering around break-even, but profitability will improve during October and November, given the recent strength in the deferred live cattle futures. Therefore, short-keep feeders […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market eyes April live cattle futures

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $3 higher. Strength in the deferred live cattle futures, particularly the April contract, spilt over into the cash feeder market. Limited supplies of yearlings also contributed to the firmer tone. Feedlots have been patiently securing heavier replacements, but we’re now on the home […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market reflects vulnerability

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded within $5 on either side of unchanged. Strength was noted in the major feeding regions of Alberta while subdued buying interest was noted in other regions of the Prairies. Major operations focused on local cattle, especially in southern Alberta. Feature sales attracted larger crowds which enhanced […] Read more


Harvest progress behind curve as hot, dry spell ends

Reading Time: 4 minutes Unsettled weather conditions continue to plague the 2018 harvest season. Producers made very little progress this past week as intermittent showers and rainfall affected all regions. Along with the moisture, cooler weather led to unwelcome frost and ended the long-lasting hot dry spell. The early morning hours saw temperatures in the central region fall below […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

StatsCan’s canola forecast deemed supportive

CNS Canada — A summer of dryness and sizzling heat has apparently taken its toll on canola plants in many areas of Western Canada, according to the latest crop production estimate from Statistics Canada. In a survey compiled in the latter days of July and released Friday, Statistics Canada pegged canola production for 2018-19 at […] Read more