Canadian Drought Monitor map of drought conditions and intensity in Canada at Nov. 30, 2021. (AAFC)

Precipitation eases drought conditions on Prairies

Hardest-hit Manitoba sees 'modest' improvements

MarketsFarm — Varied amounts of precipitation are either maintaining or alleviating drought conditions in much of the Prairies, according to the latest nationwide drought map from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Canadian Drought Monitor (CDM). The latest assessment for the period ended Nov. 30 showed very few areas of worsening drought in the region with […] Read more

cows in a feedlot

Klassen: Feeder market stabilizes

Cow-calf producers selling sooner than normal

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $275 delivered; the Alberta fed market has rallied $10-$12 over the past couple weeks. Secondly, U.S. feeder cattle prices have also rallied US$10-US$12 during the same time frame […] Read more


(Thinkstock photo)

Prairie cash wheat: Bids mixed, watching futures and currency

U.S. wheat futures down on week

MarketsFarm — Wheat bids across Western Canada were mixed during the week ended Thursday, as losses in U.S. futures were countered by the supportive influence of a weaker Canadian dollar. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were up by $5.20-$10.10 per tonne, according to price quotes from a cross-section […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market making seasonal lows

Surge of Canadian cattle exports expected

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets were down $2-$4 on average. Prices for feeder cattle in the eastern Prairie regions were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier; however, values in Alberta and western Saskatchewan were down $4 to as much as $8 in some cases. This variation made the market hard to define. […] Read more



MGEX December 2021 wheat (candlesticks) with 20- and 50-day moving averages (yellow and dark green lines). (Barchart)

Prairie cash wheat: Falling Minneapolis futures weigh on Prairie bids

MarketsFarm — A sharp drop in Minneapolis spring wheat futures weighed on cash wheat bids across the Prairies during the week ended Thursday, but declines in the Canadian dollar provided some support and helped temper losses somewhat. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down by $7.60-$11.60 per tonne, […] Read more


(WPohlDesign/iStock/Getty Images)

Klassen: Feeder market continues downward slide

Prairies' snowstorm leads to risk discount

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 lower; calves traded $2-$4 below week-ago levels. Saskatchewan and Manitoba experienced their first major snowstorm of the season last week. The market tends to incorporate a risk discount for adverse weather as buyers factor in higher death loss. Also, major feedlot operators believe […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feed weekly outlook: Barley, wheat prices among highest ever

MarketsFarm — Feed grain prices continue to push higher following a somewhat disappointing harvest on the Prairies this year, according to Glen Loyns, general manager of JGL Commodities at Moose Jaw, Sask. “We’re seeing upticks on all feed. Everything is up. You’re seeing high prices on wheat and barley. And you’re going to continue to […] Read more