Feed weekly outlook: Barley harvest begins in Alberta

MarketsFarm — The barley harvest has already started in Alberta and prices continue to ease downward, according to one trader.

“Around Lethbridge, they seem to have a good portion done,” said Erin Harakal, trade manager for Agfinity Inc. at Stony Plain, Alta. “Some areas in the north are starting, as well. The Edmonton area, Red Deer… I think a lot more (barley growers) are going to start over the next week or two.”

Harakal added that crop yields appear to be better than in 2021, when much of Alberta — and the rest of the Prairies — was affected by a severe drought. She expects new-crop barley deliveries to feedlots to begin in late September, but bids are already being made.

“Pricewise, we’ve been seeing for September (feed barley) anywhere between $350 to $360 per tonne ($7.62-$7.84 per bushel) delivered in Lethbridge,” Harakal added. “For October and November, anywhere between $360 and $370 ($7.84-$8.06/bu.).”

The high-delivered bid for Alberta feed barley is $7.95/bu., according to Prairie Ag Hotwire, down 80 cents from a month earlier. In Saskatchewan, the high-delivered bid is $6/bu. (down $2 from last month) and in Manitoba, it’s $6.50/bu. (down 68 cents).

For feed wheat, the high-delivered bid in Alberta is $11.16/bu., $1.50 less than one month ago. In Saskatchewan, the high-delivered bid is $9/bu. (down $2 from last month) and in Manitoba, it’s $9.22/bu. (down 86 cents).

— Adam Peleshaty reports for MarketsFarm from Stonewall, Man.