MarketsFarm — Although most feed grain buyers were fairly well covered through spring seeding, Susanne Leclerc of Market Master Ltd. at Edmonton said some were looking for feed to get through the coming weeks and offered premiums.
“Which is a shock for seeding season,” she said, suggesting it’s best to shop around, with prices fluctuating by about 40 cents per bushel.
“Which is up from a week ago, but it’s limited tonnage. Most buyers did a good job covering themselves off for the season, but there are a couple who could use a few loads here and there.”
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That shifting around in prices has been the result of the commodities market swinging back and forth, she said, adding “buyers are purchasing very short-term. We are seeing them covered not too far with the crazy fluctuations.”
As of Thursday, Leclerc said Market Master was offering $8.20 per bushel for barley that’s picked up at the farm in the Camrose area. Wheat was priced at $10.40-$10.50/bu., picked up in the Edmonton area.
She also noted ample amounts of corn imported from the U.S. were still available.
As for issues surrounding transportation, Leclerc said most truckers have been trying to stay as local as possible.
“It’s going to be interesting to see where prices go for diesel. Truckers are still very leery of pricing themselves too far out of the market, and going too far of a distance,” she said.
As dry conditions plague large parts of Alberta just as farmers are seeding, Leclerc said “let’s hope it rains.”
— Glen Hallick reports for MarketsFarm from Winnipeg.
