Feed weekly outlook: Temperatures rise, Prairie bids cool down

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Published: January 24, 2020

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(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

MarketsFarm — Feed grain bids in southern Alberta are cooling down as temperatures warm up after a bitter cold spell earlier in the month.

After dealing with temperatures in the -20 C to -34 C range over much of the week ended Jan. 17, conditions in the key Lethbridge feeding area have flipped the other way. Daytime highs consistently rose above freezing the five days ended Thursday, and are forecast to remain in positive territory over the next week, according to Environment Canada.

Cattle need to eat more in colder weather, which underpinned prices and led to an uptick in buying interest during the latest cold snap.

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“We’re seeing things leveling off now,” said Tracy Green, of Edmonton-based Market Master Ltd.

Buyers were generally well covered for the time being, she said, which should keep a steady to possibly softer tone in the market.

“Buyers are hesitant to book too far out,” Green said, noting end-users were waiting to see how much cheaper spring-threshed grain will be available in April.

However, questions remain over the quality of the grain still left to harvest — and how much will actually come off the fields.

Feed barley is currently priced in the $225-to low-$230s per tonne delivered into Lethbridge. Bids were generally a few dollars per tonne higher the previous week.

— Phil Franz-Warkentin reports for MarketsFarm, a Glacier FarmMedia division specializing in grain and commodity market analysis and reporting.

About the author

Phil Franz-Warkentin

Phil Franz-Warkentin

Editor - Daily News

Phil Franz-Warkentin grew up on an acreage in southern Manitoba and has reported on agriculture for over 20 years. Based in Winnipeg, his writing has appeared in publications across Canada and internationally. Phil is a trusted voice on the Prairie radio waves providing daily futures market updates. In his spare time, Phil enjoys playing music and making art.

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