MarketsFarm — While not as widespread as last year’s historic drought, some parts of Alberta are still struggling with hot and dry conditions.
Suzanne Leclerc, owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton, said growing conditions for feed grains across the province are varied.
“As usual for the last couple of years, such a mixed review,” she said. “Some parts are dry and getting really close to harvest with the heat, especially this week, wondering how crop conditions will turn out. Other areas are still faring quite positive for the year, especially compared to last year.”
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Alberta crop conditions improve: report
Varied precipitation and warm temperatures were generally beneficial for crop development across Alberta during the week ended July 8, according to the latest provincial crop report released July 11.
As of July 31, areas north of Edmonton and south of Calgary, including Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and Lethbridge, are all considered abnormally dry, according to the Canadian Drought Monitor. Calgary itself is under moderate drought according to the same index. Last week, high temperatures across Alberta exceeded 30 C.
Despite the heat, feed grain prices continue to decline on the potential for a more typical crop compared to last year’s. According to Leclerc, demand is increasing but most buyers are still having a ‘wait and see’ attitude.
“There has been both a lack of demand, but also buyers just aren’t ready to purchase at this time,” she said. “(We’re) waiting to see how crops come in. I think everybody’s hoping for a better crop than last year… It will be interesting to see, as we haven’t seen changes in the (grain) futures as well, which do affect the feed grains.”
The high-delivered bid for feed barley in Alberta is $8.49 per bushel, down 65 cents from last month. In Manitoba, it went down 82 cents to $6.75/bu., and in Saskatchewan, the price fell $2, to $6/bu.
For feed wheat, the high-delivered bid is $11.29/bu., $2.18 lower than last month. In Manitoba, the price fell $2.27, to $9.57/bu. and in Saskatchewan, just like barley, the price dropped $2, to $9/bu.
— Adam Peleshaty reports for MarketsFarm from Stonewall, Man.
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