Farmers finally have a current barley Pool Return Outlook from the Canadian Wheat Board.
But many will be disturbed to see most malting barley prices little above where they were April 18, when barley PROs were cancelled because of the potential loss of the CWB barley monopoly.
Feed barley prices have risen more.
Special Select Canada Western two-row barley is expected to bring $249 per tonne, or $5.42 per bushel, compared to the previous $242 per tonne and $5.27 per bu.
SS CW six-row is now predicted at $224 per tonne, or $4.77 per bu., which is exactly where it was April 18. Feed barley is projected to be $206 per tonne, or $4.49 per bu., up from $182, or $3.96.
The board blames a 10 cent appreciation of the Canadian dollar and a $20 per tonne increase in ocean freight for the disappointing prices.
Since the spring there has been a rally in most crop prices.
