

Lower feed grain prices to drive feeder market higher
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen, from the April 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
I’ve received many calls over the past month regarding the price outlook for Canadian barley and U.S. corn. Alberta cattle feeders have relied on imports of U.S. corn over the past couple of years. Canadian barley supplies have been extremely tight over the past two years. The drought of 2021 resulted in a sharp decline […] Read more

Australia reaches deal with China in barley dispute
Trade shift may be 'bad news' for Canada and other exporters
Sydney/Beijing | Reuters — Australia has reached an agreement with China to resolve their dispute over barley imports, the two countries said on Tuesday, a latest sign of improving ties between the major commodity trade partners. Relations between the two had been strained for years, and worsened after Australia called for an inquiry into the […] Read more

Klassen: Demand surges for grass cattle
Barley, corn expected to be cheaper next fall
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. Certain auction markets did not have sales due to the shortened holiday week. Adverse weather also shuttered some sales on Wednesday and Thursday in the eastern Prairie region. Southern Alberta feedlots are contending with poor pen conditions which may […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Barley prices still historically high, but face headwinds
Bulk corn delivery remains more convenient
MarketsFarm — Feed barley bids in Western Canada remain historically strong, despite easing off their highs over the past month and trending lower. With bids of around $410 per tonne into the Lethbridge feedlot alley, feed barley “is still a sell,” according to Mike Jubinville of MarketsFarm, speaking on a webinar. However, he noted there […] Read more

Saudi Arabia highly dependent on grain imports
Alfalfa more profitable for domestic growers
MarketsFarm — While Saudi Arabia is a giant among the oil-producing countries of the world, the desert kingdom does produce small amounts of grain. With a population that’s about one million less than Canada’s, Saudi Arabia is extremely dependent on importing its grain from overseas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) attaché in Riyadh explained […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Prices continue to soften as April approaches
Seeding start in Alberta remains a question mark
MarketsFarm — Corn is still moving into feedlots in southern Alberta as it approaches not only the end of its contracts, but also the end of winter. “We’ve been seeing here in Lethbridge prices at $395-$400 per tonne ($10.03-$10.16 per bushel),” said Erin Harakal, trade manager at Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta. “It seems […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market eyes feed grain complex
Downside expected in new-crop barley prices
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $2 higher on average. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $353-$357/cwt delivered last week, up from the average price of $348/cwt delivered seven days earlier. Strength in the fed cattle market continues to support the […] Read more

France’s InVivo makes bid for United Malt
Bid would include Canada Malting business
Reuters — United Malt Group has received an indicative, non-binding offer from Malteries Soufflet, a branch of French agribusiness InVivo, the Australian commercial maltster said on Tuesday, valuing it at A$1.5 billion (C$1.36 billion). The A$5 per share offer represents a 45.3 per cent premium to United Malt’s last close of A$3.44. Trading in shares […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Domestic grain prices slipping
Prairie wheat, barley on par with U.S. corn
MarketsFarm – Feed wheat and barley prices in Western Canada have slowly trended lower over the past few months, with prices for both grains now on par with imported corn from the U.S. into Alberta’s key Lethbridge feedlot alley. All three grains are trading at around $410 per tonne into Lethbridge, according to Jim Beusekom, […] Read more

Little change in barley acres expected
Malt barley prices mainly steady
MarketsFarm — As spring planting approaches, Peter Watt of the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC) said there likely won’t be a big shift in barley acres that will be planted in 2023. “Producers have made their [planting] decisions for the most part. You might see people adjust their plans a little bit based on […] Read more