Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog and live cattle futures were mostly down on Friday as concerns about winter weather and sluggish export demand had some investors shedding their positions.
U.S. livestock: live cattle, lean hogs fall amid weather, demand woes
Feeder cattle firmed amid dropping corn futures
Agrirecovery deadline approaches
Reading Time: < 1 minute Applications for the 2023 Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance initiative close at midnight Jan. 15. Benefits will be based on a feed-need calculation for feed costs incurred due to lost grazing days for eligible breeding animals on hand as of Dec. 31, 2023. Eligible producers must: be located (livestock or residence) in specified municipalities; have altered […] Read more
FCC’s top economic charts to monitor in 2024
Downward trends for cattle, swine herds; positive bent to feed, fertilizer affordability
As we start the new year amid elevated inflation and major headwinds facing the economy, here are our top charts to help make sense of the economic environment for farm operations, agribusinesses and food processors.
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rise as icy weather threatens US herds
Lean hog futures also finished higher
Cattle futures jumped at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Thursday on concerns over frigid temperatures that threaten U.S. herds, analysts said.
U.S. livestock: Live cattle dip in nearby contract; US beef plants reopen
Deferred live cattle futures and feeder cattle futures finished stronger
Live cattle futures eased slightly in the front-month contract on Wednesday as U.S. slaughtering began to recover from disruptions due to extreme winter weather earlier this week.
Tyson Foods, Cargill idle Kansas beef plants due to snowstorm
Blizzards shut down roads, stranded some workers at packing plants overnight
Tyson Foods and Cargill said on Tuesday they suspended operations at beef plants in Kansas due to a massive snowstorm, reducing U.S. meat production.
House committee urges biosecurity boost
Report calls for annual reviews, new vaccines, and says veterinarian shortage worrying
Reading Time: 2 minutes A new report from the House of Commons agriculture committee recommends stronger defences when it comes to diseases like avian influenza, BSE, foot and mouth disease and African swine fever. The report, “Protecting Against Animal Biosecurity Risks: The State of Canada’s Preparedness,” included seven recommendations to combat existing and future disease concerns. Animal disease outbreaks […] Read more
Beef research centre wins ag tech award
Alberta’s Livestock Gentec was formed in 2010 to use genomics to help producers improve profitability and sustainability
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – An applied research centre using genomics to help beef producers sharpen their competitive edge has been honoured with a Best in Agriculture Sector Award at the ASTech Awards, which are given for technology and science innovation in Alberta. “We’re very proud that our team received that award,” said John Basarab, head of […] Read more
Klassen: Cattle producers anxious about 2024
No sales the first week of 2024 as markets assess inventory, plan strategy
The holiday break for the cattle market is analogous to an the intermission between periods of hockey game. Feedlot operators assess inventory and to focus on the market structure. They’re planning their purchase strategy for the next couple months.
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle retreat from one-month high, traders eye US weather
Lean hogs rose on hopes that U.S. cash prices had reached bottom
Live cattle futures on Monday rose to their highest level in more than a month before retreating as traders waited to see the impact of wintry weather on livestock in the central U.S.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
