Reading Time: 3 minutes For a change, this forecast period starts of with weak high pressure in place across the Prairies. This brings a mix of sun and clouds and near-average temperatures. Any below-average temperatures are the thanks to the return flow behind the strong area of low pressure which, as predicted, tracked across the central and northern Prairies and brought all sorts of severe weather earlier this week.
Prairie forecast: A slow slide into summer
Forecast issued June 26, covering June 26 to July 3, 2024
Klassen: Canadian heifer retention tightening feeder supply
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta and Saskatchewan heifer placements in the lighter weight categories are down from year-ago levels. Comments from ranchers and order buyers suggest that Western Canadian ranchers are holding back on heifers to expand the herd. This usually results in a narrowing of the steer/heifer spread.
Alberta Crop Report: Variable weather fails to dispel crop growth
Reading Time: 2 minutes Crop conditions across the province were rated at 72.9 per cent good to excellent, better than the five-year average of 68.8 per cent and the 10-year average of 70.2 per cent. The central region had the best rating at 78.2 per cent, followed by the Peace region at 75.7 per cent and the south region at 73.9 per cent, all above both historical averages. The northeast region was at 70 per cent, below its averages, while the northwest was in line with its average at 61.8 per cent.
Feed Grain Weekly: Wild weather in Alberta gives growers pause
Reading Time: < 1 minute Susanne Leclerc, owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton, said moisture levels in Alberta are not distributed evenly with the north seeing plenty of rain and the south becoming drier. A recent cold snap between Calgary and Edmonton plunged lows to around the freezing mark earlier this week, while snow fell over parts of the Foothills.
Prairie forecast: Drier pattern overall with unsettled patches
Forecast issued June 19, covering June 19 to 26, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes While it looks like we'll see a slightly more stable pattern develop during this forecast period, there will still be some unsettled weather to deal with.
Klassen: Quality yearlings lead feeder complex higher
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quoted $5 lower to $5 higher on average in the week ending June 15. However, quality packages of yearlings traded $5 to as much as $10 above week-ago levels
Seeding in Alberta nearly complete, with strong emergence
Reading Time: 2 minutes Spring planting in Alberta was virtually complete according to the province’s latest crop report. As of June 11, seeding in Alberta was a smidge under 100 per cent complete provincewide and on par with the five-year average. The Peace River Region ranked 100 per cent complete for its major crops, while the south, central, northeast […] Read more
Seeding very close to wrapping up in Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes Spring planting in Alberta has almost wrapped up for this year, with the agriculture ministry pegging it at 97 per cent complete province-wide as of June 4. Seeding advanced 20 points on the week with the pace at the five-year average. The greatest overall progress was made in northeastern, northwestern and central Alberta. The northeast […] Read more
Feed Grain Weekly: Prices drift down as seeding nears completion
Reading Time: 2 minutes The recent influx of moisture across the Prairies put pressure on feed grain prices, according to an Alberta-based trader.
Prairie forecast: Drier with a slow warming trend
Reading Time: 4 minutes Now—for those of you who still need rain, the developing pattern doesn't look like an overall dry pattern. It's just not all clouds with the threat of showers every couple of days. For those of you on the eastern Prairies who are tired of rain then a little sunshine and heat is what the doctor ordered.
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
