Glacier FarmMedia – Feed prices for barley and wheat across much of Western Canada are very likely to remain low until the end of winter/the beginning of spring, according to Erin Harakal of Agfinity in Stony Plain, Alta.
Harakal pointed to the ongoing imports of corn from the United States, as it’s cheaper than domestic feed barley or wheat.
“The biggest thing is they have corn contracts all the way up to spring,” she commented.
Another factor she cited was the mild fall/early winter the Canadian Prairies have been experiencing, noting the feedlots don’t have to provide as much in rations for the cattle, thus reducing demand.
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Harakal quoted C$305 to C$310 per tonne for December delivery for feed barley going into Lethbridge. Those prices nudged up to C$310 to C$315/tonne for January-February delivery into feedlot alley.
Prices for feed barley for the week ended Dec. 13 were steady to lower, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. Alberta saw the largest decline, down 33 cents per bushel at C$5.32 to C$7.08/bu. delivered. In Manitoba, prices eased back seven cents at C$5.75 to C$5.84/bu., while they held firm in Saskatchewan at C$5.50 to C$5.75/bu.
It’s a similar story for feed wheat, with a decline of 27 cents in Alberta at C$6.80 to C$9.39/bu. delivered, and down 12 cents in Manitoba at C$7.82/bu. Meanwhile prices were unchanged in Saskatchewan at C$6.80 to C$8.88/bu.
