As winter conditions descended on Alberta, prices for feed grains bumped up a little, but were otherwise "percolating sideways," stated Jim Beusekom of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge.
Prices for corn delivered into southern Alberta have risen at a quicker pace than domestic barley over the past few weeks, which should keep barley in feed rations and temper corn imports for the time being.
Feed barley and corn imported from the United States are currently trading at the same price into southern Alberta, said Lethbridge-based Darcy Haley, vice-president of Ag Value Brokers.
Rising corn prices in the United States could provide support for feed grains in Western Canada, although the current price spread remains conducive for imports of U.S. corn into Canadian feed channels.
Despite a lack of activity in the feed grain markets, prices for feed barley and feed grain are trending lower, according to a grain broker from Edmonton.
Feed grain prices on the Canadian Prairies have been pushing higher and are likely to continue on that upswing for now, said CorNine Commodities Ltd. trade manager Travis Ebens.
Feed grain prices on the Prairies stayed relatively steady for the week ended Sept. 25 as low cattle numbers in feedlots and light test weights for grains limit price gains.