Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Drought conditions expanded across Alberta and Saskatchewan in October, with very little precipitation across the agricultural regions of the two provinces since August. That’s according to the latest Canadian Drought Monitor from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, as of Oct. 31. At the end of that month, 72 per cent of the Prairie region […] Read more
Drought expands across western Prairies
Prairie cash wheat: Bids steady following Ukraine volatility
U.S. wheat futures up on week
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — A roller-coaster type of week for grain markets, fuelled by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, ended with slightly higher bids for western Canadian wheat for the week ended Thursday. As optimism grew over the renewal of Russia’s agreement to allow Ukrainian grain shipments on the Black Sea, wheat futures on the […] Read more
Klassen: Adverse weather limits demand for calves
Stronger Canadian dollar adds pressure
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 higher. Calves traded steady to $10 lower in Alberta while markets in Saskatchewan and Manitoba were quoted $5 lower to $2 higher. Adverse weather resulted in a softer tone for calves with Lethbridge temperatures dipping to -25 to -33 C last week. The […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Grain supplies good, freight costs higher
'They don't have as many drivers as normal'
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — There are still sufficient supplies of feed barley and wheat to be had on the Canadian Prairies — but there are issues with getting that feed from point to point, according to Erin Harakal, senior trader at Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. “I do think there are enough supplies from what we have […] Read more
Klassen: Tighter supplies underpin western Canadian feeder market
Weather conditions may sway buying interest
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged to $4 higher. Heavier calves notched a week-over-week gain of $2-$4. Mid-weight and lighter calves traded steady to $5 lower in Alberta but $4-$5 on either side of unchanged in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Yearling numbers were limited and buyers paid up for quality packages while […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market experiences weather volatility
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices traded $3 to $4 on either side of side of unchanged while calves traded $5 lower to as much as $6 higher. The calf market tends to experience a seasonal bounce every November. In certain cases, buyers appeared to step forward more aggressively last week in anticipation […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Good quality, yields amid rising feed prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm – With harvesting operations coming to a close, there were very few complaints about the quality and yields of new crop feed grains, according to one Lethbridge, Alta.-based trader. “Quality-wise, everything’s been sounding good for the most part. A couple of areas might have a bit of lighter bushels, but for the most part […] Read more
Klassen: Alberta feedlot backlog limits demand for feeder cattle
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices traded steady to $2 lower on average while calf markets were down $3 to $5. Feedlots in Alberta and Saskatchewan are backed up with significant numbers of market ready fed cattle which has set a negative tone for replacement cattle. Carcass weights are nearing historical highs. Barley […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Bids dip with U.S. futures
Loonie down 0.4 U.S. cent on the week
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada moved lower during the week ended Thursday, as losses in U.S. futures and a firmer tone in the Canadian dollar weighed on values. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down $2-$4.50 per tonne during the week, according to price quotes […] Read more
Alberta reorganizes ag portfolio for returning minister
Horner to handle agriculture and irrigation file
Reading Time: 2 minutes Both Alberta and Quebec have re-upped with their incumbent agriculture ministers in cabinet shuffles this week — but incoming Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s shuffle will also streamline that province’s ag portfolio. Chosen by Alberta’s governing United Conservatives (UCP) on Oct. 6 to replace outgoing premier Jason Kenney, Smith on Friday announced Kenney’s incumbent minister of […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
