Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: More demand for barley in Alberta

U.S. corn imports still expected to cap barley values

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — As Alberta’s harvest continued, yields and crop conditions have varied across the province, according to Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta. “There has been such a wide range across the map, it really depends on location,” she said. “We’ve seen some areas that are just below average of […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef

Klassen: Feeder market continues to consolidate

U.S. feeder cattle supplies seen tighter than expected

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian grass yearling prices were relatively unchanged. Yearlings over 800 lbs. on light grain rations or on diets mixed with silage were priced at $5 to as much as $20 discount to those cattle coming straight off pasture. Larger groups of uniform quality continue to trade at a minor premium […] Read more


File photo of harvesting near Wymark, Sask., south of Swift Current, on Sept. 8, 2020. (Nancy Anderson/iStock/Getty Images)

Feed weekly outlook: Harvest pressure keeps lid on prices

Domestic prices seen weighing on corn imports

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — As the harvest continued across the Canadian Prairies, pressure kept feed grain prices largely in check, according to Crystal Leitch of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton. “We don’t see things changing too much because pricing is not what it was. There’s some hope that pricing is going to come back up, whether it […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market shrugs off lower barley production

Barley exports, domestic demand expected to be reduced

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3/cwt on either side of unchanged. Prices for calves were also unchanged from average values seven days earlier. Calf markets are becoming more defined as volumes increase. There also appeared to be larger volume of high-quality yearlings available, which was a surprise. The drought hasn’t significantly […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Feed barley, wheat prices coming down

Feedlots' use of U.S. corn adds pressure

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Despite a hot and dry summer across much of the Prairies, prices for feed barley and feed wheat have fallen off over the past month. The high-delivered bid for Alberta feed barley was $8.06 per bushel, $1.42 less than one month ago, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. Those in Saskatchewan and Manitoba were […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Calf numbers down in Western Canada

StatCan figures a surprise to the trade

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets were relatively unchanged. Yearlings straight off grass were very well bid and prices held value. Yearlings over 800 lbs. on light grain ration were quoted $15-$20 discount to those cattle coming straight off pasture. We’re seeing heavier calves around 800 lbs. trade at $330-$340. Increased calf numbers […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley, wheat prices now steady

U.S. corn imports keep lid on barley values

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Prices for feed barley and wheat didn’t change much for the most part during the week ended Thursday, according to Erin Harakal of Agfinity at Stony Plain, Alta. “This week it has been pretty steady compared to the end of last week,” Harakal said, noting barley prices dropped about $20 per tonne. “Just […] Read more

(Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Feedlots aggressively secure ownership

StatCan cattle inventory report due out soon

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, yearlings straight off grass sold $3-$5 higher on average. In certain cases, larger groups of higher quality genetics traded $8-$12 above week-ago levels. Auction markets had larger volumes this past week and there was strong demand across all weight categories. It’s that time of year when major operations are stepping forward […] Read more


File photo of a Wyoming corn crop. (RiverNorthPhotography/iStock/Getty Images)

Feed weekly outlook: Market steady in face of harvest, U.S. corn imports

Imports weigh on domestic barley values

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — The feed grain market in Western Canada is holding reasonably steady as harvest operations progress and corn imports continue to come up from the United States. Anecdotal harvest reports were varied so far, with surprisingly positive results from some growers and others who missed out on showers ending up with lower yields, according […] Read more

(Geralyn Wichers file photo)

Klassen: Feeder market consolidates

USDA report considered supportive for Q4 fed cattle

Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3/cwt on either side of unchanged. The steam appears to be coming off the market as larger volumes become available. Pastures have basically dried up in many areas of Western Canada, which has spurred on producer selling. The calf market was hard to define due to […] Read more