Western Canada Feed Grain Prices Fall Amid Harvest Delays

Feed grain prices are falling in Western Canada as the harvest season begins. Analyst Susanne Leclerc, owner of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton, says there's still room for prices to drop further.

According to Leclerc, some producers are surprised by how quickly feed grain prices are coming down, with one bid of feed barley picked up on the yard at C$5.20 per bushel. The varied weather conditions this summer across Alberta have affected crop yields, with areas around Lethbridge and Calgary experiencing strong growing seasons despite some dryness.

Meanwhile, Edmonton and Camrose received 'extreme amounts' of rain, while the Peace region had some 'really good areas'. Leclerc noted that there are huge pockets in Saskatchewan where crops have been affected by extreme differences in weather. She expressed uncertainty about how Statistics Canada will evaluate crops and determine production levels.

Despite low demand, oats, feed barley, and feed wheat purchases are still being made locally. Leclerc believes prices may drop further, citing the cyclical nature of the market and buyers looking to get grain coming in for cash flow and bin space. Delivered feed barley prices in Alberta ranged from C$4.99 to C$6.51/bu. as of Aug. 11.