The western Canadian feeder cattle market is in price discovery mode. There was a light test of yearlings and calves this past week, with prices setting fresh 52-week highs. New-crop supplies of grass cattle are coming on the market from drier pockets of Alberta. At the same time, regular feedlot backgrounded replacements are trading at […] Read more

Klassen: Alberta yearling market makes fresh 52-week high

Fungal diseases posing an issue with Manitoba crops
As crop conditions vary across Manitoba, the latest crop report noted that frequent rains and warm temperatures have increased the risk of a number of fungal diseases. Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development (MARD) said farmers continued to apply fungicides on their wheat, oats, barley, canola, and pea crops. However, wet conditions in a number of […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market experiences calm before upcoming storm
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Once again, overall volumes were limited, with small strings and singles moving through auction barns. The quality was quite variable and offbeat stragglers were quite common. Buyers incorporate a risk discount on these cattle; therefore, prices do not represent […] Read more

Prairie cash wheat: Bids mixed to lower
U.S. wheat futures up on week
MarketsFarm — While wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) were higher after hitting low points, bids for Western Canadian wheat were mixed to lower for the week ended Thursday. The Canadian dollar gained ground against a weakening U.S. greenback, moving up by more than one U.S. cent. The loonie spent the week […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: New-crop supply outlook ‘significantly better’ as prices drop
MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley and wheat in Western Canada are still higher than this time last year, but if large declines in those prices are any indication, the 2022 harvest is set to be more typical than that of 2021. The high-delivered bid for Saskatchewan feed barley is $8 per bushel, $1 lower […] Read more

Good ratings seen for Manitoba’s spring wheat, canola
MarketsFarm — Crops in Manitoba remain in good shape, according to the latest weekly report from the province’s agriculture ministry. In particular, Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development (MARD) found spring wheat across the province rated 85 per cent good to excellent — but with crops not doing as well in the province’s Interlake region. While […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba’s crops in ‘better situation’ than last year
Lost acreage still a question mark
MarketsFarm — Despite varied amounts of rainfall across the southern half of Manitoba over the past few weeks, pulses are faring quite well according to the province’s pulse specialist. Dennis Lange, who’s based at Altona, said while peas in fields with excessive moisture are struggling, those grown in adequate moisture and lighter soils are in […] Read more

Klassen: Tighter fundamentals support feeder complex
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 higher on average while calf markets were up $2-$4. There was an increase in activity over the past week, although many auction barns remain in holiday mode. Major feedlot operators in southern Alberta were extremely aggressive on yearlings fresh off grass and this […] Read more

Take your pick — there’s a forecast for everyone
Here are six forecasts for July and August, and they are all over the (weather) map
Reading Time: 3 minutes June seemed to go by in a flash. We are now halfway through 2022, and depending on where you live, it has been a very interesting six months. We will look back and see how June weather played out across the Prairies, and then look ahead to see what forecasters are calling for during July […] Read more

Prairie cash wheat: Bids trend lower with U.S. futures
MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada moved lower during the week ended Friday, as losses in U.S. futures more than countered the supportive influence of the weakening Canadian dollar. Seasonal harvest pressure contributed to the declines, as the U.S. winter wheat harvest progressed northward. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent […] Read more