Barley. (Doug Wilson photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Feed weekly outlook: Lack of overseas demand brings down prices

'It feels like for now, we've kind of bottomed out'

MarketsFarm — As the grain harvest wraps up in Western Canada, feed grain prices continued to move downward. However, harvest pressure was not the only reason for their declines. Evan Peterson of JGL Commodities at Moose Jaw, Sask. heard others say their crops were larger than anticipated — but there were additional factors adding pressure […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Demand strong for Canadian wheat

MarketsFarm — Domestically-grown feed wheat is seeing stronger prices and increased demand — but unlike other commodities, the demand is coming from Canada itself. Wheat has become a more desirable crop for feed rations in recent months as barley prices have risen due to increasing exports to China. With less barley available to feedlots, wheat […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market starts 2020 on steady tone

Compared to last week, short-keep replacement cattle and feeders in the mid-weight categories were steady to $3 lower on average; feeder cattle under 600 lbs. traded $2 lower to as much as $5 higher. Featherlight calves remain strong trading at similar levels to late December. Most auction markets resumed their regular sales schedules last week. […] Read more




New crop barley bids are between C$225 and C$230 per tonne.  Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: Barley prices soften before harvest

MarketsFarm – As harvest season kicks off for feed grains, new crop prices are at “market-clearing levels.” Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge, Alta., said cattle farmers are “in pretty good shape for old crop grain,” and are “waiting for new crop to hit.” “It’s taking its toll on prices a little bit, […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Grain prices softer ahead of harvest

MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices have softened ahead of harvesting season, due in part to improving growing conditions and a stronger Canadian dollar. Drought conditions earlier in the summer had threatened Prairie crop yields and buoyed feed grain prices, but the weather premium has subsided thanks to recent rains. “Rain showed us we’ll have a […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market experiences fortuitous bounce

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$5 higher on average. Auction barns had limited numbers on offer but strong buying interest surfaced for quality packages. Alberta feedlots were the main buyers setting the price structure. There were two main factors enhancing demand this week. First, U.S. packers started to show some […] Read more

Barley south of Ethelton, Sask. in early August 2017. (File photo by Dave Bedard)

Feed weekly outlook: Grain prices back off previous highs

MarketsFarm — Feed barley prices have come down from June highs, which saw prices around $300 per tonne. Currently, feed barley is around $275-$280 as market participants anticipate arrival of new crops. However, demand for feed grains remains high, as “we’re still dealing with a full feedlot,” said Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, […] Read more