MarketsFarm — Feed barley and wheat prices in Western Canada have been showing some unusual strength in late September, with prices rising despite seasonal harvest pressure.
“Right now we’ve been seeing a lot of talk about exports and the need for feed at feedlots,” said Erin Harakal, senior trader at Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta.
Barley and wheat prices could increase a little more in October, Harakal added. However, she said, there is still a fair bit of grain to come off the fields that has to make its way into the market. Come November and December, she believes prices could rise again.
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As the harvest in southern Alberta presses on, a broker said that is one of the factors pulling feed prices lower in the region. Darcy Haley, vice-president of Ag Value Brokers in Lethbridge, added that lower cattle numbers in feedlots, plentiful amounts of grass for cattle to graze and a lacklustre export market also weighed on feed prices.
Prairie Ag Hotwire reported barley prices were steady to higher over the past week. In Alberta, prices rose 15 cents per bushel, to $4.55-$4.65 delivered. In Manitoba, the price increased 10 cents, ranging from $3.40 to $3.69/bu., while in Saskatchewan they held steady at $3.75-$3.84.
Feed wheat prices didn’t move as much, remaining firm in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where the grain fetched $4.63-$6.53/bu. and $4.63-$5.60 respectively. There was an 11-cent gain for Manitoba feed wheat, with prices ranging from $5.35 to $5.46/bu.
— Glen Hallick reports for MarketsFarm from Winnipeg.
