Spring sprung so quickly this year, I’m convinced it’s the middle of summer… The only thing that could shake my confidence is a May long blizzard! … Don’t worry … I checked the weather forecast before writing that. You can never be too careful in the prairies!
…Except when it comes to potholes! With potholes, I suggest a state of constant vigilance! And not only when driving on your local county’s banned roads, but when you happen to be visiting the city of Edmonton, or some other thriving metropolis. Edmonton tries hard when it comes to marking their potholes, and if you can find the extra benevolence within your soul, the city would appreciate a little patience when it comes to filling them…
Last Sunday, after taking in a surprisingly entertaining Stars on Ice show at Rogers Place, my parents joined Michelle, me and the kids for an evening promenade in Edmonton’s newly famed, downtown Ice District. We were still on adrenaline after watching Elvis Stojko’s impressive display of “old man power” on skates, and we were all walking with a little pep in our step.
On our return trip, at an intersection outside Rogers, we spotted an impressive pothole in the middle of the road. And, though a vehicle was waiting for us to finish crossing, my father would not let this moment go to waste.
“River!” he shouted, beckoning my son back into the intersection. “Hop in that hole! I gotta take a picture of this!”
River put one, unsure foot inside the pothole, and, eagerly awaited his dismissal… This is when the story gets crazy… Remember that car that was waiting to turn? … Well, would you believe the mayor of Edmonton, Don Iveson, stepped out, walked up to River, took a picture with him and even tweeted about!?!?!
…My mom told me not to believe everything you read and that some stories are too good to be true. That might be the case with this one, as my dad has no idea where the picture with Don went! Which makes me wonder, did this part of the story even happen…?
Believe what you’ll believe. All I know is potholes in the prairies are just like problems at seeding time. You can try all you want, but you can’t be a farmer without them.
Many farmers are enjoying some uninterrupted seeding progress right now, but in the back of their heads, I’m sure they’re wondering: ‘is the rain going to come when we need it to?’
Waiting for rain is a lot like standing in a pothole, waiting for your picture to be taken. You do it in good faith, and you hope to get back to safety as quickly as you can. But, even if you don’t get that prized picture, or see the rain coming, the faithful truly are proven every harvest. So, stay faithful, good farmer. This crop has everything it needs to be a good one!
Best of luck with the rest of seeding! At this rate, and so long as you avoid the next few potholes, you might even get enough time for a little holiday! We’re crossing our fingers anyhow!
And please come by for a visit on one of our social media accounts. Simply click one of the links down yonder!
Market Report – by Nelson Neumann
Barley:Barley prices have begun to climb down from the mountain they were up on. Delivered Lethbridge bids are $254-255/MT ($5.55/bu) down about $8/MT or $0.174/bu. Barley stocks are down 26% from 2017 as of the end of March.
Wheat: Feed wheat prices have held steady and we’re still seeing up to $6.30/bu picked-up in the Crossfield to Calgary corridor for June July movement. Gradable Hard red spring bids decreased as the Canadian dollar rallied hurting export values. Durum prices increased mildly, but are still well under seller expectations.
Oats: Buyers for milling oats are satiated and the market continues to remain quiet. The Stats Canada acreage report projects there to be 3.148 million acres of oats planted in 2018. This is a 2% decrease over 2017’s numbers. The market is neither bullish nor bearish.
Canola:Stats Canada released a report that Canola supplies are the second largest on record for that time of year and about 14% higher than last year. Demand is still solid, and in part due to the increased supply, lower than last years. Dry eastern prairies is supporting Canola futures with November Canola close to breaking into a new trading window above its $520/MT resistance.
Peas: Most buyers across Alberta are bidding yellow peas at $6.75-7.00/bu, however, we have seen some trading as high as $7.17/bu delivered to a couple locations. Green pea prices (based max 3%) are holding at higher levels.
You know the red wax wrapping that comes on those little Babybel cheeses…? Well, the first time Nelson was offered one of these delicacies, though he questioned the peculiar colour, his trusting nature prompted him to bite into it without too much second-guessing.
Here’s a picture of a pothole that Michelle’s father took close to their lake property near Spedden, AB. “Now that’s a pothole!” read his text.
The Feed Buyer Brief – Joseph Billett
Even though seeding is not technically late, everyone is pushing as if it is. From what we’re hearing and seeing, things are going quicker than usual with the dry soil conditions. Buyers have seen the barley and wheat prices come off over the past week, barley landing into Lethbridge around $254/MT or $5.53/bu with prices seen as high as $268/MT or $5.83/bu a little a couple weeks ago.
Wheat seemed to follow with a price decline as well, however most buyers are now confirming specs such as protein and falling numbers before paying premiums on wheat at this time. Buyers have been consistently purchasing grain out to July and are now holding tight to see what weather brings regarding August pricing, and where the price spread for new crop goes.
Sellers take note: When prices begin to decline, how does your grain differentiate from other offers, ie: higher bushel weight, protein, falling numbers? If you know the specifics, please let us know! When there are so many offers in the market place, we need specific data to set it apart.
“No matter who I talk to at Agfinity, you always take care of things. You guys are so great to work with!”
– James Taylor, Leslieville, AB
“Other buyers call me, and I always tell them that the best service I get is from Agfinity, and that you guys are who I market my grain through.”
– James Thompson, Millet, AB
“Most of our marketing decisions are based off of your newsletter! We really appreciate you sending it out!”
– Phillip & Glenda Collinge, Lloydminster, SK
“I really like the personal touch in the newsletter! Thanks for sending that out!” – Jim Majeski, Camrose, AB
“I really enjoy working with you guys and the transparent service you provide!”
– Kurt Boese, Neilburg, SK
“For the past seven years I’ve been dealing with the Agfinity group and what a fantastic group of people they are. From number 1 to feed grain and canola. All the buyers at Agfinity can Make it happen. Fast turn around times on every thing. Movement, payment, and the inbetween that all of us farmers don’t see or care about. Good job to the Agfinity crew and keep on buying our grain.” – Drann Hogg, Huxley, AB
“Thanks for continuing to send out a newsletter. I read right through it every time, and look forward to crop price updates.”
– Orest Hulowski, Perryvale, AB
“Enjoy reading your newsletter and price updates keep them coming, good job.”
– Peter L .Gross, Standard, AB
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