Feed weekly outlook: Corn imports still weigh on domestic feed market

Jan 11, 2023

Ample corn imports from the U.S. continue to keep the western Canadian feed grain market under pressure, with barley bids in Lethbridge trending lower through the early days of 2023.

“We started the year with cash barley trading at roughly $450 (per tonne) in Lethbridge, it’s since declined to roughly $435,” said Jim Beusekom of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge, adding that “the culprit (in the price decline) would be corn.”

Unit trains of corn from the U.S. are coming up into inland terminals in southern Alberta, and trading at a similar price as barley.

“Corn is available,” Beusekom said, noting while prices may be similar for the two grains, barley offers are thin while corn is much easier for feedlots to book.

Once cattle are on a corn ration it can be difficult to switch back to barley, which will likely mean the declining market share for barley will keep the downtrend in place at least until attention shifts back to spring seeding and new-crop production ideas.

While the barley market may be under pressure, current prices are still near the top 10 per cent of all-time highs.

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Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.