Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending Saturday, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. The finishing feedlot operator appears to be dominating the feeder market across all weight categories. Ontario interest was creeping all the way into Alberta, especially for Limousin-type genetics. There were limited numbers on offer in Manitoba and Saskatchewan […] Read more
Klassen: Weather forecasts underpin feeder market
High forage costs pose problem for cow-calf expansion
Prairie Forecast Update: A few small tweaks
Update issued May 21, 2023, covering May 21-24, 2023
Reading Time: 2 minutes The weather models are continuing to do a good job with the short- to medium-range forecasts, but there have been a couple of small changes that have been slowly working into the forecast. Weak troughing off the West Coast is still forecasted to kick off the development of a leeside low in Alberta. This low […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley market steady for now
Feedlots still importing U.S. corn
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Feed barley bids in Western Canada continue to hold steady, while attention in the market turns to the new crop going into the ground. “There currently is an uptick in demand for quick movement presenting good opportunities for producers ready to sell,” Alberta grain brokerage Agfinity said in a note to clients. “However, […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Bids soften
Chicago, Minneapolis wheats down on week
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada softened during the week ended Thursday, as the bearish influence of the extended Black Sea Grain Initiative more than countered any support from poor winter wheat production prospects in the U.S. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down by $3.60-$6.70 […] Read more
No respite expected for wildfire-hit Alberta
Forecasts call for fire conditions to worsen
Reading Time: 3 minutes Ottawa | Reuters — Abnormally hot and dry weather is set to return to Alberta on Thursday after a couple of cooler days helped calm wildfires that have forced thousands of evacuations in the province. Record-high temperatures and tinder-dry vegetation have led to an intense, early start to wildfire season in Western Canada this year. […] Read more
Prairie Forecast: Above-average temperatures to continue
Covering the period from May 17 to 24, 2023
Reading Time: 2 minutes The upper ridge that has been in place over much of B.C. and Alberta over the last few weeks looks to remain in place, at least for a few more days. There are some indications of a shift in the overall weather pattern towards a warm and wetter setup. As predicted, an area of low […] Read more
Air quality deteriorates as wildfires rage in Western Canada
Evacuations continue in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Calgary received a special weather alert on Tuesday, warning residents of poor air quality and reduced visibility as tinder-dry weather and shifting winds elevated the risk of spreading wildfires in Alberta’s north and west. As of Tuesday evening 89 wildfires are active in Alberta, with 25 out of control, according to the provincial […] Read more
Klassen: Lower beef production forecast drives feeder market higher
Feedlots factoring in lower feed grain values
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to the week ending May 6, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher while calf values were up $2 to as much as $8 on average. The feeder market was well bid across all weight categories. Demand for grass cattle appeared to be more aggressive this past week. Yearling supplies will decrease over the […] Read more
Little chance for rain on Alberta wildfires
Coming cold front more windy than rainy in nature, Environment Canada says
Reading Time: 2 minutes Ottawa | Reuters — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Alberta on Monday as raging wildfires prompted mass evacuations and reduced energy production in Canada’s main oil-producing province, where meteorologists expect virtually no rain for 10 days or so. In Edmonton, Trudeau received an update on firefighting efforts by Canadian soldiers sent to help provincial firefighting […] Read more
Prairie Forecast Update: Forecast on track
Forecast issued May 14, 2023, covering the half-week stretch from May 14 to 17, 2023
Reading Time: < 1 minute The weather models have been remarkably accurate for this time of the year. The big weather picture remains the same. There is a large, persistent ridge of high pressure over far Western Canada with an equally persistent trough of low pressure over Eastern Canada. This means western regions will continue to see sunny, dry and […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
