Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures approached a four-week low on Wednesday as U.S. beef prices declined. The drop in futures extended a four per cent setback from a contract high that most-active August live cattle reached last month. Prices for beef shipped to wholesale buyers in large boxes have also […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures, boxed beef prices drop
Average hog weights down on week
U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle futures jump as grain costs tumble
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange feeder cattle futures climbed on Tuesday as a steep slide in grain prices made animal feed costs look cheaper, traders said. Traders are keeping a close eye on the grain markets after supply fears drove prices to eight-year highs during the spring. Corn and soy futures surged last […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market calm but firm
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were unchanged. Most auction markets were closed due to Canada Day. It’s been a busy spring period; there is no doubt about it. Pastures are quickly deteriorating under the intense heat and many ranchers will sell yearlings 30-45 days sooner than normal. The good news is […] Read more
B.C. presses for ranchers to register before wildfires hit
Premises ID helps protect livestock in emergencies, province says
British Columbia’s provincial ag ministry hopes to shore up ranchers’ participation in the Premises Identification program against the risk of further wildfires this year. About two-thirds, or 5,200, of B.C.’s non-supply managed livestock producers, and all the supply-managed dairy cattle and poultry premises in the province, are registered in the program, the province said Wednesday. […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Lean hog futures ease on China demand worries
CME August live cattle down
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures weakened in the two most-active contract months on Friday as traders continued to dial in expectations for waning Chinese demand, analysts said. China, the world’s biggest pork consumer, has sought to rebuild its hog herd after it was decimated by an outbreak of the deadly pig […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hogs drop as domestic, export demand seen weak
CME August cattle futures up
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures fell sharply on Thursday as traders priced in expectations for waning demand after the U.S. Independence Day holiday this weekend. Signs of poor demand from China, which has been a big buyer of U.S. pork since an outbreak of African swine fever decimated production in the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Lean hogs retreat from one-week high
CME August live cattle up, feeders lower
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures ended lower on Wednesday in a retreat from early gains in which the most-active contract topped a one-week high. Traders watched a rally in grain prices that makes it more expensive to feed livestock. Corn and soy futures soared at the Chicago Board of Trade […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Lean hog futures touch one-week high
CME August live cattle up
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures touched a one-week high on Tuesday in a rebound from recent losses, while live cattle futures were mixed. The hog market is recovering after dropping last week to a nine-week low, traders said. Hopes for improved export demand helped support prices, traders said. CME August […] Read more
Beef 911: Our thinking about vaccinations is evolving for the better
Reading Time: 4 minutes We want to get the best bang for our vaccine buck, and research is looking for ways to do that This article will focus on some recent work on vaccination by Dr. Nathan Erickson and others at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. They basically had different calf groups vaccinated with different respiratory virus products […] Read more
Klassen: Yearling prices consolidate, calf values soften
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; however, calves weighing 500 to 700 lbs. were $2-$4 lower. Featherlight bawlers under 500 lbs. were down $6-$8 from seven days earlier. Strong feedlot buying interest supported quality groups of yearlings. Feed barley prices were down $5-$10 per tonne from last week while the […] Read more