Mat, originally from Canmore, Alberta, had a diverse athletic background, excelling in both baseball and hockey. After playing college baseball in New York State and Junior A hockey, he embarked on a journey across the USA and Canada, competing in baseball. Mat’s passion for sports extended beyond playing, as he transitioned into coaching hockey and baseball, mentoring young athletes aged 5 to 21.
With a background in Engineering Design and Web Development, Mat joined Agfinity, driven by a desire to learn and contribute to the agricultural industry that forms the backbone of Alberta. Despite not growing up in farming, he remains dedicated to helping and expanding his knowledge about this vital sector. When not at Agfinity, Mat spends his time assisting his family and working with aspiring young athletes in baseball and hockey.
Because Farming is Forever
Mathew Evans
Market Report – Bryce Taylor
Agfinity has the pleasure of talking to both producers and buyers of grain in Western Canada. For many of them, it is the current soil and weather conditions that are top of mind while discussing the market, pricing and grain selling and buying strategies. Described in an article in the Western Standard yesterday, June 12, “Alberta farmers are facing the worst moisture conditions in at least 50 years, according to the provincial government’s latest moisture situation update”. The article goes on to say that Roughly 75% of the productive growing areas in Alberta are under moderate to severe drought. Crops are just being planted – but rain is needed now”. This article did not mention Saskatchewan but through conversations with farmers we have some reports of somewhat better moisture conditions in some places as east of the Alberta border.
As a result of this for barley, we have seen reluctance from producers in marketing and contracting new crop. Some feel it is too risky to forward sell due to dry conditions in their area. Some buyers, on the other hand, are holding off on buying new crop due to more favorable growing conditions elsewhere. Interestingly as well, some buyers and sellers feel that the price of old and new crops are going to increase while others feel that they are going to decrease. Despite this, barley prices have remained flat and unchanged for the last month. Prices are currently $395-405/MT DLVD Lethbridge. New Crop has shown a slight decrease over the past month, originally fetching $360-365/MT. Now bids of $350-355/MT DLVD Lethbridge are being offered by buyers.
Oats are trending the same as barley. Again, some buyers and sellers feel that the price of old and new crop are going to increase due to dry weather conditions while others feel that they are going to decrease due to better soil conditions elsewhere. Milling oat prices seem to still be nonexistent. Feed oat prices for old and new crop are currently at the same level as the last few weeks with opportunities available at $3.80 to $4.00 FOB farm in Central Alberta.
Graded wheat has seen some volatility in last few weeks, but overall prices have declined. Current #2 hard red spring prices delivered to elevators are around $10.40 DLVD central Alberta and $10.20 DLVD in central Saskatchewan. Feed markets continue to buy, but movement is being pushed further out, with bids between $9.00-9.50/bu FOB farm in Saskatchewan and $10.50/bu delivered into Lethbridge.
Australian canola production and general world supplies indicate that there is an abundant supply of Canola available. Over the last few weeks canola prices have trended downward. Currently old crop canola prices available in Alberta for July -August delivery is $16.00 to 16.40/bu in Central Alberta and new crop Sept-Oct around $15.00 DLVD.
The pea market remains unchanged, yellow peas remain to be soft at $10.50-10.75 MT DLVD central Alberta with the odd opportunity seen above $11.00/BU. #2 Green Peas have continued to fetch $14.50/BU prices Delivered to Central Alberta and remains a hot opportunity for anyone who has them. New crop #2 Green Pea prices are available at an indicated $13.00/BU for Sept-Oct.
Sellers Tip: We see premium prices pop up regularly, but you can’t take advantage of them if you don’t market your grain. Please call us today at 1-888-969-5552 to talk strategies for old and new crop marketing.