MarketsFarm — Wheat prices on the Prairies during the week ended Thursday incurred moderate losses in Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) while durum (CWAD) pushed upward. Declines in the U.S. wheat complex led the way, with a higher Canadian dollar this week adding more pressure on Prairie wheat prices. […] Read more

Prairie cash wheat: Red spring falls back, durum rises
U.S. wheat futures down on week

High-path bird flu reaches Manitoba airspace
H5N1 confirmed in wild birds found last week in province's west
Manitoba’s feather sectors and backyard flock owners are being reminded to take the necessary precautions now that highly pathogenic avian flu has been confirmed in wild birds found last week. The province’s natural resources department reported Wednesday that the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) has confirmed the presence of high-path H5N1 avian flu in two […] Read more

Klassen: Yearling prices soften but calves drop sharply
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices unchanged to $4 lower on average while calves were down $4 to as much as $8 in some cases. The steer-heifer spread appeared to widen by $2-$3 for yearlings and $3-$6 for calves. Adverse weather set a negative tone and the market appeared to incorporate a risk […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: No worries about delayed planting in Manitoba
'Farmers can get stuff in pretty quick'
MarketsFarm — Despite an influx of snow across southern Manitoba, with more precipitation in the forecast for this week, a provincial pulse specialist isn’t too concerned about the potential for late planting of pulse crops. “The moisture is welcome, but it’s not the weather we would like to see at this time of the year. […] Read more

B.C. orders poultry indoors as avian flu arrives
One more outbreak each also in Alberta, Quebec; 'suspect' wild birds being tested in Manitoba
British Columbia officials are ordering all commercial poultry operations to move their birds indoors after the arrival of avian flu in a flock in that province. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Thursday it confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza on Wednesday in a commercial poultry flock in the Regional District of North Okanagan, and […] Read more

Prairie cash wheat: Bids up on Ukraine projections, poor U.S. winter wheat conditions
U.S. May wheats up on week
MarketsFarm — A sharp reduction of wheat acres in war-torn Ukraine and poor crop conditions in the United States all brought support to wheat bids in Western Canada for the week ended Thursday. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has not only posed major difficulties exporting grain out of the country, but will also prevent wheat acres […] Read more

Drought severity easing across much of Prairies, AAFC reports
MarketsFarm — Drought conditions persisted across much of the Prairies during the month of March, although the extent and severity of the dryness was reduced in many areas, according to the latest Drought Monitor report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). “While there have been substantial improvements to drought conditions across Western Canada since last […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Low demand, fewer acres expected for cheaper feed barley
MarketsFarm — As corn became the primary feed grain at Alberta feedlots over the past few months, the demand for — and price of — feed barley have diminished over time. But according to one trader, this won’t mean demand will shift from corn to barley anytime soon. Evan Peterson of JGL Commodities in Saskatoon […] Read more

Klassen: Steady fed cattle market supports feeder complex
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher on average while calves were steady to as much as $5 higher. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $273-$275 delivered; live prices were quoted at $161 f.o.b. the feedlot. There is a severe backlog of market-ready […] Read more

Prairie cash wheat: Peace talks, USDA report pull on wheat futures
MarketsFarm — While peace prospects in Ukraine brought pressure onto wheat futures early on, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report caused the prices for two major western Canadian wheat varieties to close at different levels for the week ended Thursday. On the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), wheat futures declined when talks between Russia and […] Read more