Grain TOday - April 2020

Good afternoon,
 
It has been an interesting month with things changing on the pandemic front almost daily. The one thing that is constant is that when you have livestock as part of your operation you have to make sure you have a full feed bin. This month we have seen many things that are negative but there are, as usual, some positives out of the changes. The real good news is that as primary producers you are able to self isolate without making huge changes. It will become more of a challenge when seed, fertilizer and chemical has to be sourced.
 
If anyone is looking for trucks to haul loads back into Alberta give us a call as we have been approached by two different trucking companies that are looking for Alberta bound loads. Both of them normally haul bulk products for the Oil Patch like sand for the fracking process in oil well development. They are unfortunately out of work and giving great rates.
 
Feed grain prices have been much more stable than the yoyo prices on the CBT lately. That being said they have moved off the lows we saw in February. We are seeing bids of $5.10- $5.30 in Western MB for 15 moisture heavy low vom feed wheat, and $4.00 for dry 48#, low vom barley in the same locations.  We are finding that buyers react positively if we can show them reasonable offers. Call us and we will try to help with that process. Feed oats seem to be following other feed grains up slightly as well.
 
In regard to feed wheat and corn we have seen both Husky in Minnedosa and Lloydminster and Terra Grain at Belle Plain either reduce their bid prices drastically or pull them completely. You can just imagine what 70 cents / liter gas has done to the price for ethanol.  
 
Milling oats have held their own but have not reached the levels we were trading in late January. It seems that the mills are covered for now so not a lot of new demand. We are seeing $3 picked up for NEW CROP in some locations for 2CW milling oats with Sept/October movement. Anyone interested let us know and we will check out the best options for you.
 
There has been a bump in lentil pricing for April/June delivery. As an example $0.26/lb picked up May/June for #2 reds in SW SK area. Compared to $0.22lb in Jan.  Greens have followed along.
 
We see spot opportunities to price yellow peas in western SK and AB. Let us know what you have so we will know who to call. Seems these prices are getting filled very quickly which tells me there are still plentiful yellow pea supplies.
 
We have had several producers contact us about spring thrashed cereals and canola. We will have markets for these products as we know there will be demand. I heard that there was canola being harvested in SW MB (Elgin area). It was coming off dry but not a pretty sample. Surprising yield though.  We will likely be able to market this in the $4-4.50/ bus range depending on location. It is important that we get as much info as possible, moisture, oil content, % damaged seeds etc so we can extract the best prices possible. We will have demand for feed oats and have some feed markets that will consider spring thrashed.
 
It is going to be a challenge for anyone with crop in the field to decide where to finish it or go seeding. My general experience has been that earlier a crop is seeded the better the yield so I would say go seeding then take off the crop when ground conditions allow you to go down after it without the mud.
 
Last month I mentioned a bit of info on our Brokers out of MB. This month I will touch on our Saskatchewan staff.
 
Richie Yaremko – Yorkton SK
Has been with Quality Grain for 5 years.
He farmed in the Willowbrook area for 25 years.
Worked as a customer service rep for Cargill out of Yorkton for 17 years.
Then as a farm market advisor for 7 years.
After retiring from advising he joined us at Quality Grain.
He brings a wide range of experience in both the farm side of the business and the supplier and marketing side.
 
Robert Rusu – Moose Jaw SK
Recently joined the team at Quality Grain as a Marketer.
He farmed in the Kayville are for 30 years.
Worked for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance for 11 years as an adjuster.
Owned and operated his own Semi Hauling Company for grain, fertilizer and vegetables throughout Canada and the United Sates.
He has strong connections with the producers in the southern part of Saskatchewan.
With his farming experience and connections, he brings a lot of expertise to the Quality Grain team.
 
 
We are looking for Feed Wheat in Eastern SK and Western MB.
Feed Barley in AB – we just traded $4.55 picked up at Kingman AB
Feed Oats in MB and SE SK
Heated, green or spring thrashed canola in all locations. Still good demand.
 
Red and Green lentils in Western SK and AB.
 
Until next month, stay safe and healthy.
 
John Falk                                                      Richie Yaremko
Marketer – Altona MB                                 Marketer – Yorkton SK
John.qualitygrain@gmail.com                   Richie@qualitygrain.ca
204-362-0167                                               306-620-9026
 
Victor Dorma                                                 Reed McDonald                    
Marketer - Airdrie AB                                   Owner/Marketer – Calgary AB.
Victor.qualitygrain@gmail.com                 reed@qualitygrain.ca
587-438-6749                                               403-380-5044
 
 
Wes Schneider                                            Howard Warren
Marketer - Vulcan AB                                 Marketer – Champion AB
Wes@Qualitygrain.ca                                 howard@qualitygrain.ca
403-485-5565                                               403-485-8569
 
 
Robert Rusu
Marketer - Moose Jaw SK
robert@qualitygrain.ca
306-631-8204 
 
 
Richard Chambers
Markerter
Brandon MB.
Richard_qgm@mymts.net
204-729-1354 – office
204-761-8320 - cell