(Greg Berg photo)

Oat prices running out of upside

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Oat prices in Western Canada have shown some strength over the past year, but competition from other crops will likely lead to an acreage reduction this spring despite the firm prices, according to market participants. Ryan McKnight, from Linear Grain at Carman, Man., had seen prices for the crop rise last fall, but […] Read more

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Prairie cash wheat: Lower U.S. prices, weaker loonie generate mixed results

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Wheat bids in Western Canada were mixed during the week ended Thursday, with Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) bids down and Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) steady to higher. Bids for Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) were also higher on the week. Price changes in U.S. wheat markets guided the gains and losses […] Read more


File photo of South African malting barley. (Sunshine Seeds/iStock/Getty Images)

South Africa’s barley growers face bleak outlook on alcohol ban

Ban reinstated against COVID-19 surge

Reading Time: 2 minutes Johannesburg | Reuters — South African barley farmers are bracing for a tough market ahead as demand for the grain used to make beer falls and stockpiles grow after a ban on the sale of alcohol was reinstated as the country battles a surge in COVID-19 cases. The government in December enforced its third ban […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Buyers’ thoughts turn to April-June

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Attention on feed grains is shifting away from February-March and focusing on the April-June period, according to Erin Harakal, senior trader at Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. Their buyers have February-March pretty much covered, she said. Demand continues to be driven by exports to China, she added, with Prairie feedlots required to keep […] Read more


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Feed weekly outlook: Offshore demand still lifting Prairie barley

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Solid offshore demand for Canadian barley remains the key driver in the domestic feed market, keeping prices high. “It’s certainly not driven by southern Alberta, it’s driven by Vancouver and the export business,” said Allen Pirness, of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge, on the continued strength in barley bids. Typically, arbitrage opportunities would […] Read more

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Prairie cash wheat: Bids track rally in U.S. futures

Loonie up by a third of a cent on the week

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada climbed higher during the week ended Thursday, as a rally in U.S. futures more than countered any bearish influence from a rising Canadian dollar. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were up by $11.50-$13 per tonne, according to price quotes from […] Read more


A barley crop south of Ethelton, Sask. on July 30, 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley market’s eye on exports, corn prices

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Strong export demand for Canadian barley and rising corn prices in the U.S. are expected to continue to keep feed prices well supported in Western Canada. “Feed grains are being squeezed by lower imports of U.S. corn into Western Canada,” analyst Chuck Penner of Leftfield Commodity Research said in a presentation Tuesday for […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley, wheat prices very likely to increase

Increases seen tied to rising U.S. corn

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Two Alberta traders believe strong feed grain prices will continue to push higher over the next week of January, with much of the upswing tied to the rise in corn prices in the U.S. “As corn edges higher, becoming the preferred direct replacement to barley, your barley floor comes up and wheat starts […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley market cools ahead of New Year

More strength is still likely, however

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — The feed market in Western Canada may be stabilizing heading into the holiday season, but underlying fundamentals remain supportive and could lead to more strength in the New Year. While the market was holding steady in mid-December, “I think it will go back up in January/February/March,” said Mike Fleischhauer of Eagle Commodities in […] Read more