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Feed Grain Weekly: Prices ‘percolating sideways’

Transportation issues push up barley prices

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Published: November 21, 2024

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(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Glacier Farm Media | MarketsFarm – As winter conditions descended on Alberta, prices for feed grains bumped up a little, but were otherwise “percolating sideways,” stated Jim Beusekom of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge.

“Barley prices are slowly moving higher. It’s a little bit of a logistics play. We finally have some winter, with snow, slippery roads, and some slowdown of truck traffic as everybody resets themselves on how to move product in winter,” he explained.

Pressure on feed prices was coming from the futures markets as grains and oilseeds were either dropping back or drifting sideways, Beusekom said.

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He said feed barley prices in Alberta rose C$2 to C$3 per tonne over the last week, reaching C$285 to C$290/tonne delivered into Lethbridge. Meanwhile, feed wheat was a little more expensive as it fetched around C$300/tonne.

“We’re in a year where there’s really not that much wheat that’s been downgraded to feed,” Beusekom said. “They’re paying the same for what the elevators pay for winter wheat or the lowest grade hard red spring wheat.”

He said those feed wheat prices have shifted away from following values for barley and corn, to being in concert with export prices.

As for corn imports from the United States, Beusekom said those are starting to pick up as the harvest had wrapped up.

“There’s as much available as (the Prairie feed market) wants,” he stated.

About the author

Glen Hallick

Glen Hallick

Reporter

Glen Hallick grew up in rural Manitoba near Starbuck, where his family farmed. Glen has a degree in political studies from the University of Manitoba and studied creative communications at Red River College. Before joining Glacier FarmMedia, Glen was an award-winning reporter and editor with several community newspapers and group editor for the Interlake Publishing Group. Glen is an avid history buff and enjoys following politics.

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