MarketsFarm – Canada’s barley crop may have improved considerably in 2022 compared to 2021’s drought-stricken crop, but the logistics of getting that grain to Alberta’s feedlot alley are keeping prices well supported. Canada grew 9.4 million tonnes of barley during the 2022 growing season, which was up by 35 per cent from the previous year. […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Tight logistics underpinning Prairie feed market

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

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

Feed weekly outlook: Freight costs could determine grain availability
MarketsFarm — There are very good prices for feed barley and wheat in Alberta, according to Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton — but two factors could limit their availability. Leclerc said there is good demand for feed wheat in the province, “but prices are slightly up because we’re not seeing a lot […] Read more

Schoepp: What produces more waste — a feedlot or a cruise ship?
Feedlot waste gets a lot of scrutiny by consumers while shipping gets a free pass
Reading Time: 3 minutes During a recent agricultural discussion, the chat centred around the public’s perception of animal agriculture and waste. As I had recently been at sea, our conversation shifted to the ocean being used as a dumping ground for human sewage and other waste. I became curious. What produces more waste — a feedlot or a ship, […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Barley values steady, wheat rises
MarketsFarm — As the harvest across most of the Prairies begins to wind down, price movement for feed barley has remained fairly stable, according to Erin Harakal, senior trader for Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. “October is getting covered is what’s happening. There’s not too much room left for October,” Harakal said, noting the midway […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Prairie barley market still strong
Availability of trucks remains an issue
MarketsFarm — The feed barley market remains strong despite the influx of freshly harvested supplies, with little competition from other feed sources. “The markets have been coming up steadily, with what feels like no harvest pressure,” said Suzanne Leclerc, owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton. “People were hoping the market would get lower and […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Prairie grain bids see surprising harvest strength
MarketsFarm — Feed grain bids in Western Canada have shown some strength in recent weeks, despite the advancing harvest. “We’ve been seeing a rally through harvest, which is an odd thing,” grain merchant Jay Janzen of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. said. He tied the unseasonable strength to solid demand and a lack of significant […] Read more

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

A computer program called BETSY could be your next ranch hand
It’s AI, but the other kind — an artificial intelligence system for detecting abnormal activity in animals
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s arrived: facial recognition and 24/7 video monitoring of every movement. That may sound like a science fiction movie, but don’t worry. It’s not for you. It’s for your cattle. An artificial intelligence system named BETSY has been developed by OneCup AI, an Alberta-based tech startup. The company is offering it to producers willing to […] Read more