Alberta farm product prices climb in 2011
Alberta saw prices for grains, oilseeds and livestock generally rise in 2011
Troy Media – ATB Financial
General consumer inflation in Alberta eased a bit towards the end of the year, yet 2011 was marked by rising prices for gasoline and food. Fortunately for agricultural producers in this province, the prices they received for their output also made steady gains.
Farmers in Alberta saw prices for grains, oilseeds and livestock generally rise in 2011. The all-products index did actually slide a bit in the month of November to 119.7 (1997=100), but for the first 11 months of the year, the index averaged 123.6. That beats out the recent high-water year of 2008.
Statistics Canada reports the national and provincial price index received by farmers for a variety farm products, including the most important ones for Alberta: grains such as wheat and barely, oilseeds like canola, cattle and calves, and hogs.
Along with solid prices in 2011, the weather generally cooperated during the harvest months of September and October, with warm, dry conditions prevailing until after Thanksgiving. That gave a tremendous boost to crop quality and yield, and helped boost agriculture into one of the leading economic sectors in Alberta last year.
But 2012 could be different. While prices for major agricultural commodities are generally forecast to remain quite strong, environmental growing conditions could prove to be a challenge. At the moment, the light snow pack suggests insufficient moisture. Farmers will be cheering on some heavy snow and precipitation in February and March.
Category: Alberta
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