Feed Grains Weekly: Feed prices stabilizing, but weight an issue

Feed prices for barley have stabilized over the last week, said Camilla Cobb, senior trader at Agfinity in Stony Plain, Alta.

Cobb placed feed prices for barley in the Lethbridge area at C$5.35 per bushel picked up, while those for soft and hard wheat were C$4.95 to C$4.98.

Despite prices holding firm, Cobb noted there were issues with weights due to less than ideal yields.

“We are definitely having a hard time this year finding heavy barley, something that’s 48 pounds (per bushel),” she said, noting that oats are also light and leading to discounts.

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“A really hot July obviously wasn’t good for the crops,” Cobb added.

She suggested that buyers and sellers need to mitigate their expectations for this year.

“The local markets determine the prices and it’s sometimes hard to get producers to understand that local markets (vary).” Cobbs stated, pointing to differences in transport costs from region to region.

Prairie Ag Hotwire reported prices for feed barley and wheat were steady to higher for the week ended Oct. 2 with the only increases coming in Saskatchewan. The barley in that province gained 18 cents per bushel, rising to C$4.50 to C$4.75 delivered, while wheat jumped 38 cents at C$5.44 to C$7.13/bu. delivered.

In Alberta, feed barley held at C$4.25 to C$6.10/bu. delivered, with Manitoba at C$4 to C$4.16. Feed wheat was unchanged in Alberta at C$5.44 to C$7.76/bu. delivered and C$6.20 in Manitoba.