File photo of Highway 363 near Moose Jaw, Sask. (Mysticenergy/iStock/Getty Images)

Spring road bans coming into effect across Prairies

MarketsFarm — Warming temperatures and melting snow across Western Canada may cause some disruptions to grain and livestock movement over the next few weeks as seasonal spring road restrictions come into effect across the Prairies. Annual spring road restrictions set axle weight limits for vehicles moving on certain roads, in an effort to reduce the […] Read more

Drought conditions in Canada at Feb. 28, 2022. (Map courtesy Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

Most of Prairies still very dry, but recovery possible

Southern Manitoba considered out of drought

MarketsFarm — Despite the Prairies receiving above-normal amounts of precipitation during February, the great majority of the region remained highly vulnerable to more dryness going into spring, according to the Canadian Drought Monitor. The monitor’s latest report showed those areas of the Prairies tackling extreme drought to have retracted somewhat. As of Feb. 28, that […] Read more


Fall rye flowering in south-central Manitoba. (Allan Dawson photo)

Rye in strong position going into 2022

MarketsFarm — Last summer’s drought sharply reduced yields of many crops across the Prairies, leaving multiple supply challenges and rising prices in the aftermath. Western Canadian rye, however, was largely left unscathed, which may bode well for the crop heading into 2022. Rye production came in at 473,000 tonnes for 2021-22, according to Statistics Canada […] Read more

Photo: File

Klassen: Surge in feed grain prices shocks feeder cattle market

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$5 lower on average. Feeder cattle weighing 650 to 800 lbs. were relatively unchanged to $3 lower. Calves under 650 lbs. were steady to $4-$6 lower in Alberta, unchanged in Saskatchewan and $3-$5 higher in Manitoba. Fleshier yearlings and calves were heavily discounted last week with […] Read more


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Prairie cash wheat: Russia-Ukraine conflict fuels price rallies

U.S. wheat futures way up on week

MarketsFarm — Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has not only sparked a conflict between two of the world’s major wheat exporters, but also limit-up price rallies for wheat futures during the week ended Thursday. As sanctions grow against Russia, as well as uncertainty over access to Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, fears of a […] Read more




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Prairie cash wheat: Spring wheat bids higher, activity choppy

MarketsFarm — Spring wheat bids across Western Canada moved higher during the week ended Thursday as gains in U.S. futures and a weaker tone in the Canadian dollar provided support. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine contributed to gains in wheat futures, but the volatile situation led to large price swings in the markets with values backing […] Read more



(Thinkstock photo)

Prairie cash wheat: Red spring up, durum pulls back

U.S. wheat futures up on week

MarketsFarm — Wheat prices on the Prairies during the week ended Thursday saw increases for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) and declines for durum (CWAD). The Russia-Ukraine border crisis spurred a good part of the increases in U.S. wheat markets. The ongoing threat of war could harm wheat production […] Read more