Hot and dry growing conditions cut into barley yields in Western Canada in 2023 but the quality was generally good, according to the yearly annual harvest report on barley quality from the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC).

Good quality Canadian malt barley despite lower yields
CDC Copeland acres declined, with AAC Synergy the most popular malting variety

Feed weekly outlook: Late winter underpins Prairie barley bids
CNS Canada — Lingering winter weather across the Prairies means cattle are eating more grain, but the possibility of delayed seeding also means farmers with grain to sell are eyeing better prices. “As the winter continues to hang on, cattle producers are continuing to have to feed (grain) until they can get their cattle out […] Read more

Lethbridge feed barley’s spring rally muted
CNS Canada — Lethbridge feed barley should be seeing its largest premium over fall and winter months, but so far this year the market’s spring rally has been limited. “This year all we’ve seen is a $5 to $10 per tonne move higher,” said Jim Beusekom, analyst at Market Place Commodities. “So it’s pretty minimal […] Read more

Feed barley due for spring rally
Barley has been undervalued compared to feed wheat, but any price increases are likely to be modest
Reading Time: 2 minutes Feed barley in Western Canada usually sees a spring rally at this time of year, although the uptrend this year will be limited by large supplies still overhanging the market. Feed grains had trended lower through late February and into early March, with feed wheat leading to the downside. Losses in feed wheat spilled over […] Read more

Market access, income supports come with Trans-Pacific pact
Canada’s federal government has pledged a suite of compensation programs for supply-managed dairy, poultry and egg sectors, against what it promises will be a mousehole in Canada’s tariff wall. Federal officials on Monday confirmed negotiations have concluded on the multilateral Trans-Pacific Partnership, now billed as “the largest, most ambitious free trade initiative in history.” The […] Read more

Lethbridge feed barley prices move upward, watch U.S. corn
CNS Canada — Hot, dry conditions in Alberta and western Saskatchewan are delaying and stressing this year’s barley crop — but action in U.S. corn is now the barley market’s primary driver, according to one expert. “This recent rally in corn has helped barley and feed wheat move higher; we’re in a market driven by […] Read more

Malt barley seeding well ahead of normal
CNS Canada — Barley seeding is well underway across Western Canada and almost complete in southern Alberta, according to the head of the Barley Council of Canada. “We’re two weeks ahead here in southern Alberta, there’s guys that have wrapped up; they’re done seeding already,” said council president Brian Otto. On his own farm at […] Read more