MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley and wheat in Alberta pulled back a little this week — and it wasn’t because the province has generally received more rain than the other two Prairie provinces. “There hasn’t been the demand as we typically have at this time of year,” Erin Harakal, senior trader with Agfinity in […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Prices dip in Alberta, steady to higher elsewhere

Prolonged heat wave breaks Canadian temperature records
MarketsFarm — An extreme heat wave affecting all four western provinces, the shores of the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories as well as Watson Lake, Yukon, is expected to persist for a week. The “heat dome,” a high-pressure system trapping warmer air, has affected British Columbia the most. The village of Lytton, about 160 […] Read more

Prairie cash wheat: Drought sends bids higher
U.S. July wheat futures up on week
MarketsFarm — Mounting drought concerns in the spring wheat-growing regions of Canada and the U.S. saw Prairie cash bids post solid gains during the week ended Thursday. Average CWRS (13.5 per cent) wheat prices were up by $18-$21 per tonne, according to price quotes from a cross-section of delivery points compiled by PDQ (Price and […] Read more

Another swine flu variant case appears in Manitoba
Variant of H3N2 confirmed in southern Manitoba resident
A single and apparently isolated case of another influenza variant normally seen in hogs has turned up in a Manitoba resident, the province announced Monday. Manitoba Public Health on Monday said the H3N2 influenza variant (H3N2v) seen in this case is related to flu viruses that circulate in pigs, noting that while such viruses don’t […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Manitoba dry beans in good shape
MarketsFarm — Despite temperatures ranging from near-freezing lows to sweltering highs and receiving little precipitation, Manitoba’s dry edible bean crop has weathered the conditions well, according to the province’s pulse specialist. “We’ve had some interesting weather over the last week to two weeks,” Dennis Lange, pulse specialist for Manitoba Agriculture at Altona, said, referring to […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market percolating higher
Weakness in feeder futures seen as temporary hiccup
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $1-$4 higher on average; calves were steady to $2 higher. Limited volume of calves under 600 lbs. made the market hard to define; however, strong demand was surfacing across all weight categories. The weaker Canadian dollar, along with stronger live cattle futures, set a positive tone. […] Read more

Flea beetles a nuisance for canola crop
[UPDATED: June 22, 2021] MarketsFarm — Western Canada’s canola crop has been hit hard by hot, dry weather so far this growing season in the midst of ongoing drought conditions — which may also be aiding another threat. *Across the Prairies, flea beetles are an oft-seen pest that feeds on both canola and mustard seedlings, […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market heating up
Volumes thin with auction barns in holiday mode
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling steers traded $3-$4 higher while yearling heifers were steady to $2 higher. Mid-weight calves or young yearlings from 600 to 800 lbs. were $3-$5 higher on average. Calves under 600 lbs. were relatively unchanged. Favourable rains across the Prairies have enhanced crop prospects for barley and wheat. April […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Canola market pits weather against supplies
MarketsFarm — As dry conditions remained prevalent across the Canadian Prairies and U.S. northern Plains, despite recent precipitation, the markets were in a struggle between the weather and tightening supplies, according to Winnipeg analyst Wayne Palmer of Exceed Grain. So far for the week of June 7, central and northern Alberta received rain, followed by […] Read more

Drought conditions improve in May for some of Prairies, not all
MarketsFarm — Significant precipitation through May relieved drought conditions across parts of the Prairies, while other areas remained significantly dry, according to the latest assessment from the Canadian Drought Monitor as of May 31. This precipitation improved soil moisture conditions for the short-term, decreasing the area of moderate (D1) and severe drought (D2) in central […] Read more