Closing the Gap: Feed Corn Gains Ground on Barley
Corn has crept to par with barley, December barley is trading near C$295 a tonne, and sellers are asking C$20 or more above that for spring delivery.
On Monday our desk traded feed barley at C$295 a tonne for December shipment, which works out to about C$6.42 a bushel at 48 pounds. That matches the delivered price in southern Alberta in the Western Producer’s weekly feed grain report: C$295 a tonne for November and December, and C$300 for January to March. In September delivered prices ranged from C$275 to C$280, and the report says FOB bids have not moved much since. The trader quoted in it described the whole market in one phrase: everything feels sideways.
Corn is crowding in
The new factor is corn. U.S. December corn futures fell 49 U.S. cents a bushel between October 8 and October 29 and closed at US$4.5150. Feed corn is now close to par with feed barley, and in many cases at or slightly under it. Some shipments have already reached feedlots, and the trader expects steady corn movement through the year. If you grow barley, that is the part to take seriously. Barley is no longer competing only with other Prairie grain. It is competing with corn priced off a falling U.S. board.
Feedlots have most of their November and December needs covered, and elevators are slow because export demand is thin. Nobody has a reason to chase grain, which is why the bids are flat.
What the asks for later delivery are saying
Sellers who posted offers on our marketplace this week are not asking C$295. They want C$298 for November and December, C$305 to C$310 for January to March, and C$315 to C$318 for April through July. Those are asking prices, not trades, and I would not treat them as where grain will clear. The December trade is the one confirmed price I have in front of me, so read the spring numbers as a wish list.
Still, the wish list tells you something. Some sellers think a bushel of barley is worth about C$23 a tonne more in April than it is today, which is roughly 50 cents a bushel. Whether that is a fair price for waiting depends on your bin, not on mine.
What could change it
The same trader expects feed grain prices to hold mostly steady until spring, unless dryness or weather worries show up. Two things would move barley. A bounce in U.S. corn would make its closest competitor more expensive. A real pickup in exports would pull grain out of the feed pool. I would not count on either before the new year.
What I would do
Do the carry math on your own bin. If holding barley from December to April costs you less than C$23 a tonne, counting interest, shrink and the cash you could have in hand now, the asks are worth waiting for, and you can post an offer of your own. If it costs more, sell the bushels you do not need to keep and move on. Hoping for a rally in a sideways market is not a plan.
Call at least two buyers. Freight and handling costs are high in Alberta, and basis differs from one feedlot to the next, so the first bid is rarely the best one. Then watch three things: the U.S. corn board, the weather outlook for next spring, and any change in the feedlot appetite for barley over corn.
By Joel Merkosky, Chief Operating Officer, Johnston’s Grain
We’re Hosting & You’re Invited!
Due to limited venue capacity, we kindly ask that attendance be restricted to a maximum of two representatives per farm. This will help us accommodate as many farming operations as possible while ensuring a comfortable and engaging experience for all attendees. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
We look forward to connecting with producers, industry partners, and familiar faces. See you in Red Deer! Don’t forget your soil samples! Agri-Trade is a great opportunity to drop off your samples, connect with our regenerative team, and get a head start on planning for the 2027 growing season.
Please confirm your attendance with Michael Launer (Director of Johnstons Regenerative): michael@johnstonsregenerative.com
The End of the Daylight Saving Time Era: A Look at North America’s Time Zones
Have Grain to Market?
Johnstons Grain continues to work with buyers and producers across Western Canada, sourcing grain and identifying opportunities across multiple markets.
For current bids, available movement windows or marketing inquiries, contact our grain marketing team.
| In Search of The Following Grains | Location |
| Malt Barley | Copeland or Synergy ONLY | Calgary & Surrounding Areas | East-Central AB |
| Organic Brown Flax | Delivered to Saskatchewan Facility | November |
Market information is provided for general reference. Prices, movement windows and buyer specifications are subject to change and confirmation.
CHEMICAL BASE PRICING:
Glyphosate 540: $6.09/L
Glufosinate 150: $5.09/L
Glufosinate 200: $7.99/L
Diquat 240: $7.99/L
Liquid H: $1.80/L
Imazamox+Bentazon: $30.09/L
- 500L or 1000L Totes (Subject to Availability)
Company Directory & Locations
Calgary Head Office
Hours: 8:00AM-5:00PM Monday to Friday
Address: Suite 2800, 150 – 9th Ave SW, Calgary AB
Phone:1.844.324.7778
Email: info@johnstonsgrain.com
Maple Creek, SK Facility (Warehouse & Retail Location)
Hours: 8:00AM-5:00PM Monday to Friday
Address: 7218 SK-21, Maple Creek, SK
Manager and Sales Lead: Terry Sunderland
Phone: 1.639.574.0116
Email:terry@johnstonsgrain.com
Crop Protection
Calgary Northeast (Calgary Office): Garrett Forster – (604) 613-8813 (garrett.forster@johnstonsgrain.com)
Calgary South (Calgary Office): Kurt Paskal – (403) 899-0308 (kurt@johnstonsgrain.com)
Edmonton, AB Area: Devan Launer – (780) 239-4786 (devan@johnstonsregenerative.com)
Northwest, SK (Lashburn): Kylar Hope – (306) 361-0053 (kylar@johnstonsgrain.com)
Southwest-Sask: Randy Adrian – (306) 294-0042 (randy@johnstonsgrain.com)
Sask & Mb: Karlee Stanhope – (306) 434-0403 (karlee@johnstonsrgrain.com)
Grain Brokerage
Garrett Forster | Sr Grain Broker – (604) 613-8813 (garrett.forster@johnstonsgrain.com)
Kurt Paskal | Sr Grain Broker – (403) 899-0308 (kurt@johnstonsgrain.com)
Karlee Stanhope | Sr Grain Broker – (306) 434-0403 (karlee@johnstonsgrain.com)
Carli Miller | Jr Grain Broker – (1833) 324-7778 (carli@johnstonsgrain.com)
Agronomists
Deepak Chaunkaria: (844) 324-7778 ( deepak@johnstonsgrain.com)
Randy Adrian: (306) 294-0042 (randy@johnstonsgrain.com)
Regenerative Agronomy
Dr. Clemence Muitire, PHD Soil Science | Director of Regenerative Agronomy: (403) 585-3518 (clemence@johnstonsregenerative.com)
Frank Koch, Regenerative Agronomist: (403) 632-6066 (frank@johnstonsregenerative.com)
Travis Albrecht, Director of Johnston’s Regenerative: (403) 502-6332 (travis@johnstonsregenerative.com)
Michael Launer, Director of Johnston’s Regenerative: (780) 232-0358 (michael@johnstonsregenerative.com)
Trades Update
Johnstons Grain
| Commodity | Contract date | Grade | Price | Quantity | Seller location | Shipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWRS Wheat | Nov 2, 2026 | #2ob – 11 CWRS, Max 14.5% moisture, Min 60lbs | $9/bu | Approx Gross 90mt (3lds x 30mt) | High River , AB | 11/03/26 – 11/20/26 |
| CPSR Wheat | Nov 2, 2026 | CPSR, Max 14.5% moisture, Min 58lbs | $8.50/bu | Approx Gross 90mt (3lds x 30mt) | High River , AB | 11/03/26 – 11/20/26 |
| Oats | Nov 2, 2026 | Feed | 2.5 FOB Farm | 88.000 | ASHVILLE, Manitoba | 11/02/26 – 12/31/26 |
| Canola | Nov 2, 2026 | 70% heated, <13% moisture, Stable/cooled | $450/Mt ($10.20/bushel) FOB Farm | Approx. Gross 42 Mt | Wishart, SK | 11/02/26 – 11/16/26 |
Total Tonnage: 310MT
Johnstons Connected
| Commodity | Origin | Product type | Grade | Price | Volume | Ship begin | Ship end | Delivery type | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barley | Canada | – | Feed | CAD $295.00 / MT | 516 MT | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | Delivered | Lethbridge, AB, CAN |
Total Tonnage: 516MT
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Currency Update
USD into CAD: $1.3983
CAD into USD:$0.7152
Commodities Update(USD$)
Dec’26 Live Cattle: $219.70
Dec’26 Lean Hogs: $58.175
Oil (WTI): $95.34
Oil (WCS): $63.22
Gold: $3,946.18
Silver: $50.18
Bitcoin: $77,046.00
Ethereum: $2,264.55
Daily Joke
Why should you never play poker at the zoo? Too many cheetahs.
Grain Bid Update
BARLEY
| Feed Barley | FOB Farm (November-December) |
| Medicine Hat, AB | $5.25-$5.55 |
| Red Deer, AB | $5.15-$5.30 |
| Edmonton, AB | $5.00-$5.15 |
| Swift Current, SK | $5.05-$5.20 |
| Saskatoon, SK | $4.95-$5.10 |
| Regina, SK | $4.95-$5.10 |
| Yorkton, SK | $4.85-$5.00 |
| Estevan, SK | $4.85-$5.00 |
| Brandon, MB | $4.85-$5.00 |
Southern Alberta Feed Barley (Delivered)
Nov-Dec: $295
Jan-Mar27: $300
Apr-June: $310
Subject To Reconfirmation*
Malt Barley
No bid
CANARY SEED
#1 Canada
$0.20-$0.21/Lb
FOB Farm Nov-Feb
CANOLA
*We are always looking for tough, green, sprouted or heated canola. Please reach out with any offers*
Conventional Canola
$18.00/bu
Delivered November
Southern-Alberta
Conventional Canola
Call For Bid
FOB Farm November
Saskatchewan | Manitoba
Closing Futures Prices
Jan 2027 Futures: $779.60
Mar 2027 Futures: $789.80
May 2027 Futures: $797.00
Non-Gmo Canola (Clearfield)
November-December: Call For Bid
CHICKPEAS
Kabuli Chickpeas
#2 Canada: $0.29-$0.305/lb
FOB Farm Nov-Feb
Max 20% 7mm, Min 40% 9mm
Feed/Sample Kabuli
$0.12-0.13/lb
FOB Farm Nov-Feb
Desi Chickpeas
Call for bid
CORN
#2CW Corn MB FOB Farm
Nov-Dec: Call For Bid
Jan-Mar: Call For Bid
Closing Futures Prices
Dec 26′ Futures: $445-0
Mar 27′ Futures: $458-6
May 27′ Futures: $467-4
Southern AB Corn (FOB)
November: $287
December: $287
January: $297
February: $297
March: $297
April: $305
May: $305
June:$309
Basis Contracts Available*
BEANS
Black Beans
Call for bid
Cranberry Beans
Call for bid
Great Northern Beans
Call for bid
Fababeans
Call for bid
Pinto Beans
Call for bid
FLAX
Brown Flax
#1 Canada: $17.50/bu
Delivered AB Facility | Prompt
Brown Flax
#1 Canada: $16.00-$16.50/bu
FOB Farm SK | Nov-Jan
Brown Flax
#1 Canada: Call For Bid
FOB Farm MB | Nov-Jan
Yellow Flax
#1 Canada: Call For Bid
Delivered AB Facility | Prompt
Yellow Flax
#1 Canada: Call For Bid
SK MB | Nov-Jan
LENTILS
Large Greens (Lairds | 2026 Crop Year)
#2 Canada: $0.28-$0.30/lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
X3 Canada: $0.21-$0.23/lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
#3 Canada: $0.19-$0.20/lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
Medium Greens (Richleas)
#1,#2 Can: $0.16-0.17/Lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
Small Greens (Estons | 2026 Crop Year)
#1 Canada: $0.27-$0.28/lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
#2 Canada: $0.18-$0.20/lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
X3 Canada: $0.17-$0.18/lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
#3 Canada: $0.14-$0.16/lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
Red Lentils
#2 Canada: $0.23-$0.24/Lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
X3 Canada: $0.18-$0.19/Lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
#3 Canada: $0.16-$0.17/Lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
Feed/Sample Canada: $0.14-$0.15/Lb
FOB Farm for Nov-Feb
French Green Lentils
#1 Can: $0.22-$0.23/Lb
FOB Farm Nov-Feb
Subject to Reconfirmation*
Beluga Lentils (Black)
Call for Bid
MUSTARD
Yellow Mustard
#1 Canada: $0.38-$0.40/lb
FOB farm for Nov-Feb
Brown Mustard
#1 Canada: $0.36-$0.38/lb
FOB farm for Nov-Feb
Oriental Mustard
#1 Canada: $0.37-$0.38/lb
FOB farm for Nov-Feb
OATS
Milling Oats (Min: 42Lb/Bu)
$3.50-$4.25/bu
FOB Farm Oct-March | Southeast Sk | West MB
Milling Oats (Min: 42Lb/Bu)
$3.50-$4.10/bu
FOB Farm Nov-Feb | Saskatchewan
Feed Oats (38-40Lb/Bu)
$2.00-$2.45/bu
FOB Farm Nov-Feb
Discounts for lighter product
Freight area sensitive
Closing Futures Prices
Dec 2026 Futures: $340-0
Mar 2027 Futures: $364-2
PEAS
Yellow Peas
#2 Canada: $10.50/bu
Delivered Nov-Dec
Alberta | GLYPHOSATE NOT A FACTOR
Yellow Peas
#2 Canada: $8.00-$9.00/bu
FOB Farm Nov-Jan
Saskatchewan
Yellow Peas
#2 Canada: $9.50-$10.00/bu
FOB Farm Jan–March
Glyphosate Free
Saskatchewan
Yellow Peas
#2 Canada: Call For Bid
FOB Farm Nov-Dec
Minimum: 22% protein
SOY FREE
S.W. Manitoba
Green Peas
#2 Canada: $9.50/bu
Delivered November
Alberta
Green Peas
#2 Canada: $8.50-$9.00/bu
FOB Farm Nov-Dec
Saskatchewan
Green Peas
#3 Canada: $6.00-$6.50/bu
FOB Farm Nov-Dec
Saskatchewan
Maple Peas
Mosaic: Call For Bid
Acers: Call For Bid
Blazers: Call For Bid
Origin: Southern AB | SW SK
Feed Peas
Call For Bid
FOB farm Nov-Dec
AB | SK | MB
RYE
Hybrid Rye
Call For Bid
FOB farm Nov-Jan
AB | SK | MB
Open-Pollinated Rye
Call For Bid
FOB farm Nov-Jan
AB | SK | MB
Note: Please note that we are seeing elevated levels of ergot in the 2026 crop. Please notify your broker of any ergot or other degrading factors and provide grading sheets, photos, or sample results when available to help ensure accurate pricing and avoid surprises at delivery.
SOYBEANS
Soybeans
US #2 or better:
$15.40-$15.80/bu
FOB Farm Nov-March
SE SK & SW Manitoba
Higher values available closer to Winnipeg*
Closing Futures Prices
Jan 27′ Futures: $1215-4
Mar 27′ Futures: $1224-2
Nov 27′ Futures: $1197-0
WHEAT
#1 CWRS 14.0%
$9.75/bu
Delivered Southern-Alberta
November
#1 CWRS 13.5%
$9.50/bu
Delivered Southern-Alberta
November
#1 CWRS | Low Protein
$9.00/bu
Delivered Southern-Alberta
November
#1 CPS 11.0% Pro
$8.50/bu Delivered
Southern -Alberta
November
Feed Wheat
$7.75/bu
Delivered Southern-Alberta
Nov-Jan
Feed Wheat
$6.50 | (+/-)$0.50/bu
FOB Farm Saskatchewan & Manitoba
Nov-Jan
#1 CWAD (Durum)
Call For Bid
FOB Farm or Delivered AB Facility
Nov-Jan
#1 CWAD (Durum)
$8.90-$9.50/Bu
FOB Farm Southeast SK
Nov-Jan
#1 CWAD | Call for Full Specs
$8.50-$9.00/bu
FOB Farm MB |Nov-Jan
Triticale
Call For Bid
Nov-Jan
In Loving Memory of Allan Johnston
