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

Canadian barley outlook

Canadian barley outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Statistics Canada’s acreage survey of 9,500 farmers was conducted between December 12 and January 14, 2023. Survey results were released on April 26. Commodity and fertilizer prices have changed significantly since winter. Although the data may be out of date, traders are using it as a starting point to project upcoming production. On the winter […] Read more


Given the tighter fundamentals for the 2022-23 crop year, the barley market must encourage acreage this spring.

Barley market overview

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: The barley market must encourage acreage this spring

Cow-calf producers are wondering how changes in the feed grain complex will influence the feeder market. At the same time, feedlot operators are wondering if they should take coverage in the deferred positions. I thought this would be a good time to provide an overview of the barley market. Canadian barley fundamentals are snug and […] Read more

Markets adjusting to barley, corn production estimates

Markets adjusting to barley, corn production estimates

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

The western Canadian yearling market rallied $8-$10/cwt throughout August. While yearling prices were percolating higher, barley prices in Western Canada were grinding lower. Farmers started harvesting barley in southern Alberta during the third week of August and progress will accelerate across the Prairies through September. Most feedlots had their feed grain requirements covered with U.S. […] Read more


Canadian barley market outlook

Canadian barley market outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Old- and new-crop barley prices have been under pressure throughout the summer. For one thing, old-crop values have been softening due to a lack of demand. Most feedlots have sufficient volumes of corn booked through August until new-crop barley comes on the market. Second, farmer selling has increased. Falling prices tend to spur producer selling. […] Read more

An increase in Brazilian corn production will likely offset a large portion of the shortfall in Ukrainian corn exports.

Feed grain summary

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Cattle producers have faced an uphill battle securing feed grain supplies during the 2021-22 crop year. After last year’s drought, which decimated the barley crop, many feedlots switched over to using U.S. corn. The large volume of purchases, along with winter conditions, resulted in rail delays, which has been common in Western Canada over the […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Fed cattle supply outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many inquiries from cow-calf producers and feedlot operators regarding the fed cattle outlook for the spring and summer time frame. The Alberta fed cattle market has been trading at a discount to prices in Nebraska and Kansas. It appears that there is a backlog of market-ready supplies similar to last year. The Western […] Read more

Photo: File

Feed grain outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many inquiries from feedlot operators and cow-calf producers regarding the feed grain outlook for 2022. Barley prices continue to trade near historical highs. Western Canadian imports of U.S. corn are also poised to set a record during the 2021-22 crop year. Given the higher prices for corn and barley in Western Canada, feeder […] Read more


Feed barley price outlook

Feed barley price outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers regarding the price outlook for feed barley. At the time of writing, Lethbridge feed barley was trading in the range of $405-$415/tonne while Red Deer operations were showing bids from $395-$405/tonne. Barley prices are up nearly $200/tonne from September 2020. Yearling prices continue to trade near 52-week highs […] Read more

Statistics Canada released their final crop survey for 2020 on Dec. 3.

Statistics Canada confirms barley crop

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

The feed barley market has been percolating higher throughout the fall. While the crop size is marginally higher than last year, stronger Chinese demand has enhanced offshore movement. Strength in corn prices has also spilt over into the world barley market, enhancing export values. The U.S. corn crop has come in smaller than anticipated and […] Read more