MarketsFarm — While corn imported from the U.S. was the grain of choice for Alberta feedlots for the past few months, feed barley has slowly become more in demand.
Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta., explained that some feedlots were already having their cattle feed on grass as summer approaches. As corn prices continue to rise, feed barley is looking more economically sound.
“It seems like feed barley demand has picked up a little bit more, especially for more new crop right now,” she said, adding that the price for feed barley in the Lethbridge area is between $440-$460 per tonne ($9.58-$10.02 per bushel).
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“I think everyone is starting to shift back to barley a little bit… I think (feedlots) are just trying to get some stuff contracted ahead of time just so they can secure barley going into the new crop,” Harakal added. “Barley is looking a lot better price-wise right now.”
However, soil conditions are varied across Alberta. The southern portion of the province remains dry, while central Alberta has seen adequate moisture and the northern parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan are wet.
“For the most part, it seems like central Alberta is wrapping up seeding over the next little bit,” Harakal said.
In Alberta, the high-delivered bid for feed barley is $10.23/bu., 44 cents higher than last month, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. In Manitoba, the high-delivered bid is $9.04/bu. (up 12 cents from last week and 31 cents from last month), while in Saskatchewan it is $8.64/bu. (steady).
As for feed wheat, Alberta’s high-delivered bid was $15.24/bu. (82 cents higher than last month), Saskatchewan’s was $14.50/bu. (up $2 from last month) and Manitoba’s was $14.36/bu. (up C$2.02 from last month).
— Adam Peleshaty reports for MarketsFarm from Stonewall, Man.
