Globally, the barley crop is in flux. For farmers that grow malt barley and feed barley, 2010 does not look like a great year to be growing and marketing barley. Many growers feel the malt premiums are not high enough and the feeding sector is increasing DDG incorporation. In areas like Southern Alberta silage pits have more inventory than needed which will also weigh on the acreage planted.
I talked to Mike Jubinville from ProFarmer Canada about his outlook for the barley market in 2010. Mike has a belief in the 2-2-2 concept. This is two years up, two years down and two years sideways. Livestock producers are looking for pricing stability while farmers are looking for spring time price bounces for the incentive to plant.
