MarketsFarm — Feed prices on the Prairies are likely to remain steady through to the new year, according to Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta.
“I think the markets for now are to be flat,” he said, noting there has been talk in the market of 25 trains of U.S. corn that have been booked.
“The feedlots are fairly content there is enough grain around them. The farmer doesn’t seem super interested in selling.”
One factor affecting prices has been transportation issues; Motz spoke of a driver shortage that began sometime after more corn started coming into Western Canada.
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“The traditional north-south, east-west long-haul type of freight was hard to get. It really wasn’t an issue because we had a lot of elevator-direct corn coming in,” he said. “Short-term panic-type loads are really hard to get booked right now.
“We trade freight more than we trade commodities,” he quipped.
Nevertheless, Motz said he’s happy with the quality and quantity of feed grains available.
Since Nov. 16, feed barley on the Prairies has largely held firm, albeit with a 13-cent per bushel increase in Saskatchewan. In that province, barley stood at $7.29-$8.13/bu. delivered, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. To the west, it was $7.33-$9.91/bu., while to the east it was $7.21-$8.25/bu.
Saskatchewan also saw feed wheat gain 25 cents, rising to $8.50-$12/bu. In Alberta, prices were $9.63-$12.93/bu. and Manitoba was at $10-$11.50/bu.
— Glen Hallick reports for MarketsFarm from Winnipeg.
