File photos of Yukon ranchland. (StockstudioX/iStock/Getty Images)

Prairie Forecast: Building western ridge to bring warming trend

Issued Oct. 4, covering Oct. 4-10

Last week’s weather forecast played out close to what the weather models were predicting. Western regions saw cooler-than-average temperatures move in, while eastern regions saw a brief return to summer-like temperatures. This pattern was a response to an area of low pressure that spun up over the central U.S. during the second half of the […] Read more

File photo of cattle in an Alberta feedlot. (Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Feeder market falters at record highs

Risk premiums in market seen eroding

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 to as much as $8 lower on average. Calf markets were relatively unchanged to $10 lower. There was moderate demand for top quality grass yearlings but plainer types experienced softer buying interest. Pre-conditioned calves held value but unweaned bawlers appear to set back $5-$10. Seasonally, […] Read more


File photo of barley being loaded off the combine. (Collab Media/iStock/Getty Images)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley bids near bottom post-harvest

Feed corn values narrowing against barley

MarketsFarm — After a better-than-expected harvest across the Canadian Prairies, feed grain prices on the region either have bottomed out or soon will, according to Evan Peterson of JGL Commodities in Saskatoon. “They’ve dropped significantly in the past three to four weeks as harvest pressure kicked off,” he said, citing feed barley going into feedlot […] Read more

The landscape of the Special Areas varies, with differences in vegetation, moisture and soil type all coming into play across the region.

Ranching in the Special Areas

In this arid part of the Prairies, sustainable production practices mean the difference between kochia and crops

In this arid part of the Prairies, sustainable production practices mean the difference between kochia and crops

In the heart of Palliser’s Triangle, Clay and Jesse Williams are proving the value of using cattle to improve depleted soils. Making a living in this part of the world isn’t easy. Characterized by brown soil zones and often negligible precipitation, the semi-arid steppe reaches from Regina to just east of Calgary. Nestled deep in […] Read more


File photo of autumn colours around Lake Diefenbaker in Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park. (Nancy Anderson/iStock/Getty Images)

Prairie Forecast: Summer tries to hang on

Issued Sept. 27, covering Sept. 27 to Oct. 4

For being this far into fall, the weather models have been surprisingly accurate. Heck, I didn’t even need to send an update for the last issue! Not sure if I can be as optimistic for this forecast period, as we are moving deeper into fall and starting to see the first hints of winter trying […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Lower beef production forecasts support feeder complex

Major feedlots seen aggressive on quality calves

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Calf markets were steady to $5 higher on average, with stronger buying interest on preconditioned weaned steer calves. Light calves weighing under 500 lbs. appeared to jump $10-$20 in certain regions. This past week, focus of finishing feedlots switched from […] Read more


File photo of young birds on a Canadian broiler operation. (Elena Bionysheva-Abramova/iStock/Getty Images)

High-path avian flu pops back up in Saskatchewan, Alberta

Canada keeps sights on 'country-level freedom' from virus

Even after 21 months of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases in Canada — including three new cases in domestic birds so far this month — Canada’s “stamping out” policy for the virus remains in effect. Canada’s active caseload of the virus now comes down to just eight of the 325 premises affected since December 2021. […] Read more

(Thinkstock photo)

Prairie cash wheat: Harvest pressure, falling U.S. futures weigh on bids

Canadian dollar up on the week

MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids in Western Canada moved lower during the week ended Thursday, as seasonal harvest pressure and losses in U.S. futures weighed on values. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down $5.30-$8 per tonne across the Prairies, according to price quotes from a cross-section of […] Read more


Barley. (Doug Wilson photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Feed weekly outlook: Harvest pressure, looming corn imports weigh on barley bids

Some yields turn out 'better than expected'

MarketsFarm — Seasonal harvest pressure and expectations for large corn deliveries from the United States should limit any upside potential in feed barley bids in Western Canada for the foreseeable future despite this year’s smaller crop. “We’re getting some better-than-expected yields (in central Alberta), so there is some harvest pressure with guys needing to move […] Read more