Feed barley in Lethbridge was selling for C$295 to C$300 per tonne for May and June delivery, up C$5 from two weeks earlier, said Brandon Motz, owner and manager of CorNine Commodities in Lacombe, Alta. He also heard offers of up to C$310/tonne. Meanwhile, feed wheat was selling at C$305 to C$310/tonne.

“There still seems to be some very aggressive bids (for feed barley) from the line companies,” Motz said. “Actual feedlot demand is below average this time of year, but there are a lot of moving factors.”

• For daily market updates, visit the Western Producer Markets Desk

As barley and wheat move through the markets, rising corn prices have weakened demand for the crop.

“Corn is trickling into the market. There is some feeding corn. Corn has always kind of been in the background, but there’s not a lot of volume. Corn prices have rallied up too. So they’ve stayed out of reach,” Motz said.

Rising fuel prices, brought on by the war in Iran, have tightened margins for grain companies and railways, resulting in surcharges and higher freight rates. Motz added that they are affecting growers’ bottom lines as well.

“That’s quite a jump if you didn’t have your spring needs already booked,” he said. “It’s definitely something to be watched and unfortunately not a lot can be done to manage that risk. The bid offer spread has to be adjusted to compensate for fuel prices.”

Where grain prices could go is hard to determine, but Motz believes there will be little movement in the near term.

“It’s safe to assume that prices will remain in this area for the next week at least. There’s nothing to suggest that anything should change,” he said. “But at the same time, this market has been one tweet way from dramatic correction on either side … We need some global shifts to take place before any of the markets come off their highs at this point.”

Prairie Ag Hotwire reported that delivered feed barley prices in Alberta ranged from C$5.01 to C$6.75 per bushel on April 6, steady from the week before. In Saskatchewan, they were also steady, ranging from C$5.12 to C$5.45/bu. In Manitoba, prices were up 25 cents at C$4.77 to C$5/bu.

Feed wheat prices in Alberta were from C$6.18 to C$8.38/bu., down three cents. Manitoba’s feed wheat price was C$6.45, up 13 cents, while Saskatchewan’s was steady at C$7.30/bu.

The post Feed Grain Weekly: Demand rises despite war uncertainty appeared first on Grainews.

Jim Beusekom, president of Market Place Commodities, said feed barley was trading at C$305 to C$310 per tonne in Lethbridge, with feed wheat at a similar range. U.S. corn was trading at C$295 to C$305. He said feed barley and wheat, which were trading at C$270 per tonne at the start of the month, largely followed the upward price movement for U.S. corn futures.

For daily markets coverage, visit the Western Producer Markets Desk

Beusekom added that consistent demand and a “successful” export program for feed barley will continue to support prices over the next six weeks.

“We would expect spring and summer will be a competitive marketplace to purchase from farmers because they’ve been successful in selling their crops so far and they aren’t carrying as much as originally forecasted,” Beusekom said. “A lot of the market direction on barley is definitely still being set by corn and secondly by the exporters.”

Although the war in Iran and the halting of traffic on the Strait of Hormuz have affected energy prices nationwide, Beusekom said it hasn’t affected grain prices yet, but freight rates could change if fuel costs stay elevated. The question of who will take care of those costs is still up in the air.

“There are a lot of input costs that are creeping higher. How do you know if they are factored into those prices? It’s hard to tell,” he added. “For example, on grain that’s (shipped) for export, does the seller pay for it or does the buyer pay for it? For the grain we’re importing, it’s basically the same thing.”

More markets coverage – Klassen: Stronger barley prices weigh on feeder cattle values

As for upcoming spring conditions, Beusekom said parts of southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan are “leaning towards drought”, but they are still subject to change.

“It does seem Western Canada is leaning on the dry side but I want to caution everyone, rain and a snowstorm will alleviate every drought concern,” he said.

Prairie Ag Hotwire reported delivered feed barley prices in Alberta at C$4.79 to C$6.68 per bushel on March 23, up 26 cents from the previous week. In Saskatchewan, the price range was C$4.90 to C$5.45/bu., unchanged from the week before. In Manitoba, prices were from C$4.60 to C$4.71/bu., down two cents.

Delivered feed wheat prices in Alberta were from C$5.97 to C$8.41/bu. for a weekly gain of 35 cents. In Saskatchewan, prices were up 30 cents at C$7 to C$7.30/bu. In Manitoba, the price increased by three cents at C$6.27/bu.

The post Feed Grain Weekly: Seasonal gains expected this spring appeared first on Grainews.

“China stepped up and bought a lot of Canadian origin barley, which put the price up C$40 (per tonne) off the low for new crop,” Peterson said.

He reported feed barley bids at C$290/tonne delivered in Lethbridge for old crop and C$270 to C$275 for new crop. Feed wheat was trading at C$280 to C$285/tonne delivered.

Peterson said feedlots in southern Alberta are well-covered for grain.

“You have southern Alberta in relatively good shape right now for coverage. So you have two markets trading,” he added. “We’re poised to trade higher once we see some demand come back to the market in southern Alberta.”

Purchases of corn imported from the United States have quieted down as of late, said Peterson. But if there is continued demand for feed grains in the Canadian export market, he expects more corn to enter the markets due to its price parity with feed barley.

“If barley trends higher, you’re going to see feeders in the spring and summer switch to adding corn in their rations to limit the upside on barley,” Peterson explained.

As spring approaches, so does a potential weather market. Because of this, Peterson believes prices won’t be steady in the coming weeks.

“If we start getting some decent moisture, you’ll probably see some more grain liquidate off the farm,” he said. “Right now, we’re poised to continue to move higher or stay where we’re at. But we’re looking to go lower over the next three months.”

Prairie Ag Hotwire reported on Feb. 27 that delivered feed barley prices in Saskatchewan ranged from C$4.90 to C$5 per bushel, steady from the week before. The range in Alberta was from C$4.79 to C$6.05/bu., up seven cents from the past week. In Manitoba, it was C$4.60 to C$4.61/bu., down one cent.

For feed wheat, the price in Saskatchewan was C$7.00/bu., unchanged from the previous week. That in Manitoba was C$6.04/bu., up 10 cents. Values ranged from C$5.97 to C$7.76/bu. in Alberta, up five cents.

The post Feed Grain Weekly: Export market firming prices appeared first on Grainews.

Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton said there is a wide gap between March prices in Edmonton and Lethbridge due to the amount of corn coming into the southern half of the province. However, the discrepancy is narrowing for April delivery.

“Elevators are paying C$5.70 (per bushel for feed barley) delivered in the Edmonton region, and when you take the feed barley price picked up in the Lethbridge region, it would only be C$5.10, C$5.15 in the March timeframe picked up in the yard,” Leclerc explained.

“It seems like if we look into April, they’re starting to match. So it will be interesting to see if they get closer or not, because there is more corn coming into the Lethbridge area.”

Strong export programs at elevators for feed barley are keeping prices elevated, she added, diminishing the grain’s market advantage over corn. Leclerc also said mild weather and higher prices have resulted in increased grain movement.

More markets coverage: World’s winter wheat crops look good for now

“More people are taking advantage of the markets that are there,” she said.

Other grains are also making their way into feedlots to fulfill their feed ratios.

“We’re seeing some more wheat being picked up by feedlots,” Leclerc said. “We’re seeing more demand for feed pulses like feed peas and fabas. There is still a lot of demand for feed oats.”

Feed grain prices should start to see their perennial spring rallies at around April, she added.

Delivered feed barley prices in Alberta ranged from C$4.90 to C$5.88/bu., down four cents from the previous week, said Prairie Ag Hotwire on Feb. 11. Those in Manitoba were from C$4.60 to C$4.61, down two cents, while a price of C$5.00 was reported in Saskatchewan, unchanged from the week before.

For feed wheat, delivered prices in Alberta ranged from C$6.31 to C$7.59/bu., down three cents from seven days earlier. Manitoba reported a price of C$5.86, while Saskatchewan had a price of C$7.00, with both unchanged.

The post Feed Grain Weekly: Corn affecting barley prices in Lethbridge appeared first on Grainews.

Brandon Motz, owner and manager of CorNine Commodities in Lacombe, Alta., said prices for feed barley rose to C$270 to C$272 per tonne delivered in Lethbridge as of Jan. 19, compared to C$260 to C$265 in the previous week. He added that recent strong sales have lifted prices at the right time.

“Barley needs at the feedlots still remain lower. Demand is not super high on the feedlot side. It’s allowed exports to come in and pick up some of that slack on the barley side,” Motz said. “We expect export demand to remain for the next several weeks, in terms to being able to post a competitive bid. Unless more business gets put on and it might last a bit longer.”

He added that export demand for feed grains is not abnormal for this time of year and that much of the feed barley exported is going to Japan.

Meanwhile, a large corn crop in the United States is making corn imports more appealing to buyers, but prices are still not at parity with feed barley.

“Corn (prices in) Lethbridge would be barley’s ceiling. Not everybody want to feed with corn, but corn is C$280 to C$283 in Lethbridge,” Motz said. “There are still guys that are feeding corn, but for the most part, barley is still the main source for feed today. If barley starts to run away, corn will become the default … From a dollars and cents perspective, it would be an easy switch.”

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada released its January principal field crops outlook on Jan. 21, which included initial projections for the 2026-27 crop year. Seeded area for barley is set to increase by six per cent at 2.635 million hectares, but a return to average yields will see production decline by 13.1 per cent at 8.45 million tonnes.

Prairie Ag Hotwire reported delivered feed barley prices in Alberta ranged from C$4.50 to C$5.88 per bushel as of Jan. 21, steady from the past month. In Saskatchewan, prices were from C$4.50 to C$4.90/bu. (up 15 cents from the past month) and in Manitoba, prices were C$4.50 to C$4.64/bu. (up 11 cents).

For feed wheat, delivered prices in Alberta ranged from C$5.85 to C$7.48/bu. (down 14 cents). In Saskatchewan, a bid of C$6.88 was reported (steady) and in Manitoba, C$5.82 was reported (up 13 cents).

The post Feed Grain Weekly: Barley still the king of Canadian feed grains appeared first on Grainews.

“Feeders seem to be very well covered going into the holidays here. The markets are still staying very quiet,” Peterson said. “(The feed barley) market’s still very quiet at the C$265 to C$270 (per tonne) delivered Lethbridge value.”

He also said barley is priced at approximately C$20/tonne less than corn, maintaining the former’s status as the preferred grain at feedlots.

Peterson added that while grain movement continues at a good pace, buying and selling on the markets are slowing down, describing recent activity as “execution mode” compared to “buying and selling mode”.

Delivered feed grain prices in Lethbridge have come off recent lows and demand has stayed strong, but he expects little price movement for a while.

“Personally, I think the market’s going to be sideways for the next few months until the spring,” Peterson said. “I’m kind of anticipating slow trade in the next six to eight weeks, anyway.”

Looking back at this year, what stood out most for Peterson were the high crop yields relative to previous years.

“We moved a lot of grain off the combine. Right now, the producers seem to be fairly comfortable with what they’ve sold. They’re kind of waiting for the next round of selling and we’ll see what happens when the calendar turns,” he added.

Delivered feed barley bids in Saskatchewan ranged from C$4.46 to C$4.75 per bushel as of Dec. 10, unchanged from the previous week, Prairie Ag Hotwire reported. In Alberta, prices added seven cents at C$4.35 to C$5.94/bu. and those in Manitoba lost three cents at C$4.25 to C$4.49/bu.

Delivered feed wheat was steady in Saskatchewan at C$6.88/bu delivered. In Alberta, prices nudged up three cents at C$5.84 to C$7.57/bu. while prices in Manitoba lost 12 cents at C$5.76/bu.

The post Feed Grain Weekly: Quiet trade to close the year appeared first on Grainews.

Jim Beusekom, president of Market Place Commodities Ltd. in Lethbridge, Alta. said prices are going up due to seasonal demand as more cattle enter feedlots. He also explained that overseas demand for Canadian feed barley is also affecting prices.

“There is a window that exporters have been taking advantage of to ship barley, principally to China,” Beusekom said, adding there is enough barley to fulfill the needs of exporters and feedlots. “There are no supply issues at all.”

He also said barley was selling at C$265/tonne, compared to C$250 in August.

“From 2021 to 2023, we had moved upwards to C$10/tonne per day. Just to put it in perspective, the market isn’t doing a whole lot,” Beusekom explained.

Other grains are also making their way into feed, including feed wheat from Alberta and Manitoba, as well as oats, rye and triticale. Feed grains are also being augmented by an excess supply of corn across the Prairies.

“When you have big crops, you have big crops of everything. It’s not just canola, wheat or pulses. There’s a lot of supply of everything and anything that is lower grade or cleaned out … all that clean-out ends up in feed,” Beusekom said.

He added that if exports continue at their current pace, prices may be higher. However, the market is also following seasonal patterns.

“The seasonals on feed grains are pretty clear. Usually the markets rally through October and November and then decline going into the latter part of winter and even into early spring, and then (they’re) back up again,” Beusekom said.

Delivered bids for feed barley in Saskatchewan were steady over the past month, ranging from C$4.46 to C$4.75 per bushel, said Prairie Ag Hotwire on Nov. 17. In Alberta, prices ranged from C$4.35 to C$5.73/bu., up 13 cents this month. In Manitoba, feed barley was between C$4 to C$4.47/bu., up 15 cents.

For feed wheat, C$6.88/bu. was reported as a price in Saskatchewan, unchanged from the past month. Manitoba also reported a price of C$5.83/bu., up 18 cents. In Alberta, there was a range of C$5.84 to C$7.40/bu., up 15 cents.

The post Feed Grain Weekly: Demand grows at feedlots, overseas appeared first on Grainews.

Darcy Haley, vice president of Ag Value Brokers, described the harvest in southern Alberta as “phenomenal” as crops were assisted by heavy rains in June and July. He added that yields in the Calgary area were at their highest in “seven or eight years”.

“I wouldn’t call it a bumper crop, but it was very close. Very, very good crops in Alberta (this year),” Haley said. “For the most part, other than in southwest Saskatchewan, I haven’t heard a lot of negatives at all when it comes to crop production.”

However, warmer temperatures led to an extended grass season for livestock, meaning cattle entered feedlots later than usual. Instead of facing feed shortages due to drought as seen in the past few years, there is very little need for more feed.

Domestic buyers are generally well covered with ample supplies, while lightweight cattle don’t need very much grain to start, said Haley, adding that feedlots are only willing to pay so much while “you have a farmer who is not liking the price, period.”

Buyers and sellers are usually about C$5 to C$10 apart, and Haley said “nobody moves unless somebody absolutely has to have it or somebody has to move it.”

He was blunt in his assessment of where prices will go over the next few weeks.

“Flat,” he said. “They’re not going to do much of anything. I think they’ll stay flat for quite a while.”

The post Feed Grain Weekly: Prices to stay steady, says broker appeared first on Grainews.

“I think with the good growing conditions we’ve had, there was lots of grass out there and I don’t think the calves came to market quite as quick as they would in other years,” Matt Beusekom of Market Place Commodities Ltd. said.

While demand is slowly increasing, prices for feed grains as of late were “flat to lower”, said Beusekom. He added that feed barley were being traded in Lethbridge at around C$5.44 per bushel, while feed wheat was priced at C$6.80.

“I think demand will pick up as we move into fall. Barley and wheat, for sure,” Beusekom said. “(Demand for) corn is probably decreasing. It costs a little bit more than wheat and barley per tonne.”

Large supplies of feed grains should limit price movement over the next little while, he explained.

Prairie Ag Hotwire reported delivered bids for Alberta feed barley ranged from C$4.35 to C$5.60/bu., down 28 cents from the month before. In Saskatchewan, bids were steady from C$4.25 to C$4.75/bu. In Manitoba, prices were C$4 to C$4.19/bu., down eight cents.

For delivered feed wheat, Alberta prices were unchanged, ranging from C$5.46 to C$7.25/bu. In Saskatchewan, a bid of C$6.88/bu. was reported, also steady from the past week. In Manitoba, C$5.63/bu. was the only price listed, down 47 cents from last month.

The post Feed Grain Weekly: Demand, activity slowly rising appeared first on Grainews.

Susanne Leclerc, analyst and owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton, said while some producers are sending their grain to feedlots, others are going to elevators in northern Alberta which are offering higher prices. Leclerc spoke of the advantages of sending barley northward.

More from markets: Catch up with the Western Producer’s market desk

“Many of (the elevators) are putting on export specials, as high as C$5 (per bushel) going to the local elevators, which is stronger than the Lethbridge price when you back off on freight,” she said. “It’s nice to see those options, especially for quick movement for farmers.”

Leclerc added that the price of feed barley picked up was around C$4.70/bu., “making the elevator just as competitive as feedlot prices in the Lethbridge area.”

In Alberta’s latest crop report, the barley harvest was 96 per cent complete as of Sept. 29. As combining finished, Leclerc saw feed barley prices become firmer.

“Some of the pricing was lower two weeks ago, picked up in the yard for immediate movement. Now, it seems to be evening out a little bit more,” she said.

Grain buyers are already committed to contracts as far as March, so demand may not increase unless there is adverse weather, Leclerc added. But she thinks prices will be steady in the coming weeks.

“It’s nice to see exports start, at least,” Leclerc said. “I hope there is no further downside.”

Prairie Ag Hotwire reported delivered feed barley prices in Alberta ranged from C$4.35 to C$5.60/bu., down 17 cents from the month before on Oct. 8. In Saskatchewan, prices were from C$4.25 to C$4.75/bu. and steady from the past month. In Manitoba, prices ranged from C$4 to C$4.12/bu., down 29 cents.

For feed wheat, delivered prices in Alberta were from C$5.41 to C$7.25/bu., down two cents from last month. In Saskatchewan, a price of C$6.88/bu. was reported, steady from the month before, while in Manitoba, the price was C$5.59/bu., down 65 cents.

The post Feed Grain Weekly: Elevators offering higher prices for barley appeared first on Grainews.