File photo of 10-pound sacks of potatoes loaded on pallets at a Canadian distribution centre. (PierreDesrosiers/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada’s potato crop edges up in 2022

Alberta up into top spot among potato-producing provinces

MarketsFarm — Statistics Canada (StatCan) issued its potato production report Thursday, which noted a 1.5 per cent increase in the country’s crop in 2022. Across Canada, nearly 122.9 million hundredweight (cwt) of potatoes were harvested last year, with an average national yield of 322.3 cwt/acre on 381,351 acres. Alberta rose from third into the top […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Grain stocks set tone for barley, wheat

Barley expected to go bullish in April, May

MarketsFarm — Statistics Canada’s (StatCan) grain stocks report issued earlier this week largely met trade expectations, according to Winnipeg-based independent trader Jerry Klassen. The survey-based report, which estimated the country’s grain stocks as of Dec. 31, was neutral for spring wheat, supportive of durum, and pointed toward barley being somewhat bullish come spring, he said. […] Read more

(Thinkstock photo)

Prairie cash wheat: Spring wheat bids edge higher

U.S. wheat futures supportive; durum bids down

MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada were mostly higher during the week ended Thursday, underpinned by gains in U.S. wheat futures. However, durum bids lost some ground. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were up by between 10 cents and $5.80 per tonne across the Prairies, according […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Prairie markets hold steady

U.S. corn imports keep lid on domestic grains

MarketsFarm — Feed grain markets in Western Canada have seen little change over the past few weeks. Feed barley bids across Western Canada have generally held steady over the past month, with the spot market topping out at $9.58 per bushel in Alberta, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire data. Prices in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are […] Read more

Photo: Canada Beef

Klassen: Feeder market percolates higher amid finicky buyers

Ontario feedlots bring demand for West's calves

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $4 higher on average. Certain pockets in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan had steer calves up $4-$8 from week-ago levels. Alberta values were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier on all weight categories. Steady demand was noted from Ontario feedlots for calves while Alberta […] Read more


(Montpak.ca)

Préval closes deal for Alberta lamb processor, feedlot

Quebec firm picks up defunct NALCO's Alberta assets

Quebec agrifood firm Préval Ag has wrapped up its deal to buy the Alberta processing and production assets of the defunct North American Lamb Co., marking Préval’s first move into the lamb sector outside its home province. As per Alberta Farmer’s report last week, Préval confirmed Monday its divisions Westfine Meats and West Excelamb are […] Read more

(Thinkstock photo)

Prairie cash wheat: Bids mixed as U.S. futures rise

Rising Canadian dollar adds pressure

MarketsFarm — Canada Western Red Spring and Canada Western Amber Durum wheat prices declined while bids for Canada Prairie Spring Red rose during the week ended Jan. 26. Wheat futures in the U.S. fell Monday, with the March contracts on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) dropping 21 to 29 U.S. cents due to spillover […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley, wheat prices continue downward

Oats, canola meal also bound for feedlots

MarketsFarm — As colder temperatures descend onto the Prairies, buying activity for feed barley and wheat was just as frigid. “A lot of guys are fairly caught up with purchasing,” said Mike Fleischhauer of Eagle Commodities Inc. in Lethbridge. “You see the prices of wheat and barley start to trickle down a little bit. Corn’s […] Read more


Highest temperatures over the seven-day period ending Jan. 23, 2023. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

Prairies’ warmer spell to be usurped by arctic front

MarketsFarm — While the Prairies have so far this month experienced rather non-January-like temperatures, a cold front coming south from the Arctic will soon descend on the region, according to Scott Kehler, president and chief scientist of Weatherlogics in Winnipeg. “What we are seeing is a big change in the weather pattern. For most of […] Read more

(WPohlDesign/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Feeder market’s upward trend continues

Manitoba, Saskatchewan see limited gains

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$3/cwt higher on average. Southern Alberta appeared to lead Western Canada. Prices in the Lethbridge area were up $8/cwt to as much as $15/cwt from week-ago levels. Major operations have liquidated a significant amount fed cattle and become more current with production. There was a […] Read more