Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Continued tightening of worldwide wheat stocks has raised spring wheat prices in Western Canada during the week ended Thursday. As winter wheat planting in North America and Europe begins, dry conditions remain a threat not only in North America, but also in Argentina and Russia. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also predicts […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Prices rise as worldwide stocks fall
U.S. December wheat futures up on week
Klassen: Lower beef production supports cash feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; calf prices traded $2 on either side of week-ago levels. December and February live cattle futures have dropped $8-$10 off the highs while feed grain values have remained firm. Buyers were on the defensive this past week, given the softer outlook for fed cattle […] Read more
Drought maps show little change at end of August
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Much of Western Canada remained in some state of drought at the end of August despite widespread rains late in the month, according to updated maps compiled by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The area mapped out as dealing with ‘exceptional drought’ in south-central Manitoba’s agricultural regions contracted slightly compared to the previous month […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Incoming corn pressures barley, wheat
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Pressure from forthcoming corn imports from the U.S. have been driving down feed prices for barley and wheat in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, according to Evan Peterson, trader with JGL Commodities in Saskatoon. Meanwhile, prices in Alberta held steady. “We’re seeing some decent coverage right now on the feeder side. We’re waiting for the […] Read more
Klassen: Optimistic fed cattle outlook supports feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 higher. Strong demand was noted on yearlings, which spilt over into the lighter weight categories. Major feedlot operators in Alberta set the price structure, with aggressive orders flowing across the Prairies. Some operators have been holding back on purchases due to higher prices; however, […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Spring wheat bids mixed, durum jumps
U.S. December wheat futures down on week
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Increased worldwide demand for wheat and precipitation across the Prairies have resulted in mixed spring wheat bids for the week ended Thursday. Scattered showers across wheat-growing areas in Western Canada, as well as the ongoing spring wheat harvest, have brought downward pressure on the markets. The rising Canadian dollar also served to lower […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Crop estimates show severity of drought
'Corn bandwagon' filling up
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Preliminary crop yield estimates released by Statistics Canada on Monday outlined just how severely the drought in Western Canada cut into production. Mike Fleischhauer, general manager for Eagle Commodities at Lethbridge, Alta., was not at all surprised by the numbers. “I think we knew that was happening all along,” he said. “There are […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: No surprises in latest barley numbers
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Following the release of monthly supply and demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Thursday, Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta. wasn’t surprised at how low the numbers dropped, particularly for barley. Motz commented the harvest hasn’t been as good as initially thought, noting the AAFC report confirmed the situation […] Read more
Klassen: Higher input costs limit upside for feeder cattle market
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were quite variable trading $5 higher to as much as $6 lower. Calf prices have been consolidating over the past couple weeks and once again traded $3 to $4 on either side of unchanged. Strong demand was evident for 800-pound-plus yearlings fresh off grass. Feedlots in the […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: New crop expected to stabilize feed prices
Drought will drag Prairies' yields much lower
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — New crop is starting to make its way into feed grain bins as the annual harvest gets underway in Alberta. However, due to the drought conditions which have enveloped Western Canada, yields will be much lower than normal. “(The yields are) generally lower than expected and (there’s been) some disappointment,” said Allen Pirness, […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
