1/includes barley processed domestically and then exported as malt; the 10 year average is 2013 through 2022 crop years.

Barley market update

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

During the second week of October, southern Alberta feedlots were buying feed barley in the range of $330-$340/tonne delivered. In central Alberta, major operations were making purchases from $290-$335/tonne delivered. The barley harvest has wrapped up across Western Canada and producer selling appears to be easing. The market appears to be stabilizing at the current […] Read more

Malteurop, which operates a malt house at the east end of Winnipeg, is one of several malting companies with a presence in Manitoba. (Dave Bedard photo)

CMBTC study finds new malting barley lines a fit for Manitoba

Agronomic traits in new varieties overcome disease issues that held crop back

Manitoba farmers have improved prospects to access the more-lucrative malting barley market, according to a recent study. The report by the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC), in collaboration with the Manitoba Crop Alliance, says new Canadian malting barley varieties can be grown successfully in Manitoba. With yields and quality comparable to the check variety […] Read more


Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: Prices to continue slipping back

Feedlots covered for now

MarketsFarm — Feed prices are set continue grinding lower for the balance of 2023, “as domestic end users are covered,” according to Jim Beusekom, president of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. Beusekom pointed to the amount of contracted corn being imported from the United States as well as better-than-expected yields across the Prairies this harvest. […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Grains see flat demand, price movement

A clearer picture of new-crop corn availability may provide direction

MarketsFarm — Recent demand for feed grains from feedlots has been in a standstill, according to Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta. “It’s been flat, probably since the end of September. We haven’t seen any big changes when it comes to demand or prices,” she said. “From what we’ve been […] Read more


Domestic barley prices are likely to hold steady for now.  Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

MarketsFarm feed barley update: Barley prices holding steady

Canada’s barley supply/demand doesn’t matter to price determination. Domestic barley value is currently tethered to the price of imported U.S. corn, holding steady for the time being. Both are showing around $335/tonne delivered into southern Alberta for nearby delivery. Our best guess is that 2-2.5 MMT of U.S. corn will come into Western Canada in […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market vulnerable to weakness

Placements higher than expected

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$5 on either side of unchanged. Prices for 800-plus-lb. yearlings were firm in Manitoba but softened in western regions. Calf prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. There were larger volumes of calves on offer with many auction barns holding feature sales. The increase in supplies […] Read more


Photo: File

Feed weekly outlook: Grains steady, waiting on U.S. corn imports

Barley yields might beat StatCan expectations

MarketsFarm — More feed barley is reportedly making its way into Alberta cattle rations for the time being as recently-harvested supplies are competitive with corn imports from the U.S. While nearby demand is keeping the domestic market reasonably steady, more corn will likely start making its way north over the next month. Feed barley is […] Read more

(Geralyn Wichers photo)

Feed weekly outlook: Demand for feed grains ‘in a lull’

U.S. corn harvest a work in progress

MarketsFarm — Despite prices continuing to come down for feed grains in Western Canada, demand for them is currently at a standstill, according to Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton. “I think we’re in that lull time right now between corn and barley (deliveries) as the (U.S.) corn harvest is underway,” Leclerc said, […] Read more



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