MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada softened during the week ended Thursday, as the bearish influence of the extended Black Sea Grain Initiative more than countered any support from poor winter wheat production prospects in the U.S. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down by $3.60-$6.70 […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Bids soften
Chicago, Minneapolis wheats down on week
No respite expected for wildfire-hit Alberta
Forecasts call for fire conditions to worsen
Ottawa | Reuters — Abnormally hot and dry weather is set to return to Alberta on Thursday after a couple of cooler days helped calm wildfires that have forced thousands of evacuations in the province. Record-high temperatures and tinder-dry vegetation have led to an intense, early start to wildfire season in Western Canada this year. […] Read more
Prairie Forecast: Above-average temperatures to continue
Covering the period from May 17 to 24, 2023
The upper ridge that has been in place over much of B.C. and Alberta over the last few weeks looks to remain in place, at least for a few more days. There are some indications of a shift in the overall weather pattern towards a warm and wetter setup. As predicted, an area of low […] Read more
Best to be scouting for insect pests
'Definitely' watch canola for flea beetles
MarketsFarm — Although it is still relatively early in the crop year, Manitoba entomologist John Gavloski strongly advises farmers to carefully watch their fields for any signs of insect pests. Gavloski couldn’t say for sure if insect damage was going to be bad this year but based on what’s transpired over the last three years, […] Read more
Prairie Forecast Update: Forecast on track
Forecast issued May 14, 2023, covering the half-week stretch from May 14 to 17, 2023
The weather models have been remarkably accurate for this time of the year. The big weather picture remains the same. There is a large, persistent ridge of high pressure over far Western Canada with an equally persistent trough of low pressure over Eastern Canada. This means western regions will continue to see sunny, dry and […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Bids rise ahead of U.S. WASDE report
Warmer weather should help advance spring seeding
MarketsFarm — Bids for red spring wheat in Western Canada went up, while durum prices declined for the week ended Thursday as traders and analysts await the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA released its monthly world agricultural supply/demand estimates (WASDE) report on Friday, including the first production estimates for new […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Short-term premiums add to fluctuations
Truckers seen trying to stay as local as possible
MarketsFarm — Although most feed grain buyers were fairly well covered through spring seeding, Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. at Edmonton said some were looking for feed to get through the coming weeks and offered premiums. “Which is a shock for seeding season,” she said, suggesting it’s best to shop around, with prices fluctuating […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market remains firm on fed cattle strength
Alberta's disastrous wildfires may disrupt calf marketings
Compared to last week, western Canadian prices for yearlings over 800 lbs. were quoted steady to $4 higher; feeders between 600-800 lbs. were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 lbs. were $5-$10 higher. The market for calves under 600 lbs. was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on […] Read more
Canada’s expected flax area smallest since 1950
Other commodity prices outperforming flax
MarketsFarm — Blue flowery fields of flax will be fewer and farther between in Western Canada, according to Statistics Canada’s (StatCan) first survey-based seeding intentions report for 2023-24. In a report released late last month, StatCan projected only 689,000 acres of flaxseed to be planted this spring, an 11.6 per cent decrease from the year […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: U.S. futures lift spring wheat bids
Durum prices down on week
MarketsFarm — Western Canadian spring wheat bids were the beneficiaries of rising U.S. futures prices for the week ended Thursday. Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) were under pressure early in the week due to healthy yet ineffective rains over wheat-growing areas in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Agriculture raised the […] Read more