Feed Grain Weekly: Rain weakens Alberta prices, rest of Prairies remains firm

Glacier FarmMedia — Feed grain prices in Alberta moved lower following recent rains, said Susanne Leclerc, owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton. However, she suggested prices could increase prior to the coming harvest.

Leclerc said most Alberta crops are in decent shape but there are pockets where they’re poor. She added crops are fairly good in the areas of the province that produce the lion’s share of the feed grains. That has caused feed barley and wheat prices to slip back.

She pegged old crop feed barley at C$250 per tonne, delivered Edmonton with old crop feed wheat at $280, noting the latter is higher than what a farmer can get at the elevator. She suggested farmers shop around before selling.

“Buyers are not buying huge amounts. Very minimal as they’re hoping for new crop to really drop prices,” Leclerc added.

She expects feed prices to rise about two to three weeks prior to the Alberta harvest getting underway .

It’s really going to be an interesting one when the combines roll, how pricing does fall out,” Leclerc said.

Prairie Ag Hotwire reported feed prices across Western Canada are steady to lower as of July 30:

• Alberta down 22 cents/bu. for old crop feed barley at C$4.96 to C$6.42/bu. delivered.

• Saskatchewan firm at C$5.12 to C$5.25

• Manitoba unchanged at C$4.92 to C$5.35.

Meanwhile, new crop feed barley ranged from C$4.96 to C$5.97/bu. delivered across the region.

As for feed wheat:

• Alberta fell 27 cents at C$5.99 to C$8.30/bu. delivered.

• Saskatchewan unchanged at c$6.50 to C$7.55

• Manitoba steady at C$6.67.

The only new crop pricing for delivered from was for Alberta at C$5.99 to C$6.26/bu.