“Perhaps the mostly warm temperatures this winter and the January period of record cold temperatures have been a factor,” said Blue.

After being placed into storage, crops respire for a month or more, and this can release moisture. Dense crops like canola are particularly subject to storage problems, although all crops with moisture can spoil.

Alberta had a very dry harvest with most of the crop combined at officially dry moisture levels. However, some harvest days were warm, and those crops placed into storage have a large differential compared to winter temperatures.

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The ration-balancing software allows cattle producers to formulate their own feed rations while considering various combinations of feed and byproducts at different prices, and in doing so, can find a way to reduce feed costs while still meeting production targets. 

Ensuring that cattle are fed a balanced ration can also save producers on feed costs in the long run by preventing over- or under-feeding. 

The program allows producers to select the type and breeds of cattle they want to feed, then select productivity levels based on body weight, average daily gain, body condition score and the stage of gestation or milk production in cows. Producers can also adjust for climatic conditions such as wind or temperature that affect nutritional requirements. 

CowBytes comes with a feed table based on the average value of Alberta feeds. After selecting a chosen feed(s) from the feed table, users can modify the nutrient content of the feed to match their own feed test results. 

Custom feeding and feed inventory reports can also be generated. These features can help make decisions about purchasing feed in advance or selling animals to match feed inventory with cattle requirements. 

A yardage calculator is included, where producers can enter their facility, equipment and operating costs (such as insurance, taxes, veterinary services, labour, fuel, utilities, repairs), along with the number of cattle and the number of days on feed to determine the yardage costs per head per day. 

CowBytes version 5.4 is available for purchase at beefresearch.ca/CowBytes. Version 5.4 contains no significant upgrades from the previous version released in 2012. All proceeds will fund future CowBytes upgrades.

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“The program has already assisted several producers who had animals that were lame and difficult to transport.”

Once the animal has passed ante-mortem inspection by video, it must be humanely stunned and bled and transported to a participating provincially licensed abattoir for a post-mortem inspection and where additional activities related to slaughter are completed.

The meat may be sold if both an ante-mortem inspection and a post-mortem inspection have been conducted and passed, and the meat has been deemed fit for human consumption.

“The VAMI program may not be able to assist in all cases due to limited inspection resources or availability of licensed abattoirs,” says Sawka.

“Also, for some cases, rural connectivity to the internet may limit participation in VAMI as an internet connection is required to access the online VAMI tool and submit a video. Alternative slaughter options available to producers include the Appointed Inspector Program, On-farm Slaughter Operation licence, or a licensed mobile butcher.”

The VAMI web page provides detailed information about the program including eligibility, cost, program provisions, a VAMI guidance document and step-by-step instructions to access the program.

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“There are growing appetites around the globe and the largest increase in consumption may take place in developing countries,” Boyda said.

As well, the disruption caused by African Swine Fever could change things once again. China is thought to be rebuilding its herds after ASF.

Keeping the deadly disease of the country is a major strength of Canada’s pork sector and “biosecurity remains Canada’s best protection against ASF,” said Boyda.

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“The most likely scenario for fertilizers is that the current high prices will continue throughout the winter and spring months of 2022,” said Ryan Furtas.

Nitrogen production and products, namely ammonia and urea, are mainly produced at Alberta locations but prices are “tied to the international price for nitrogen.”

Exports of ammonia and urea to the U.S. have been falling in recent years but will likely increase this crop year since Canadian nitrogen production facilities will be seeking to take advantage of the high-priced demand, he said.

The post Making N here doesn’t lower price appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

“Year to date (January to August), total Canadian live cattle imports are 277,290 head, already 1.9 per cent higher than the 272,196 head imported during all of 2020.”

In Alberta, year-to-date (YTD) U.S. cattle imports are 171,460 head, 9.9 per cent higher than the annual number of 156,016 head imported in 2020. On a percentage basis, 62 per cent of Canadian cattle imports in 2021 have been received in Alberta. Alberta’s share of nationally imported cattle in 2021 is up from 54 per cent in 2019 and 2020.

“The demand for feeder cattle continues to grow in Canada and specifically Alberta,” says Wood. “Alberta feedlot bunk capacity was reported at 1,530,900 head on January 1, 2021, an increase of 41,200 head from January 1, 2020. Bunk capacity has increased in response to an increase in slaughter capacity and strong basis levels in recent years.”

Western Canada beef-processing plants are currently operating near capacity to satisfy strong consumer beef demand, which in turn is driving demand for more fed cattle. In 2021, the Western Canada federally inspected beef-processing plant utilization rate was 97.7 per cent, up from 95.2 per cent in 2020 (six-week COVID-19 plant disruption removed) and significantly higher than the five-year average utilization rate of 86 per cent.

“Higher utilization rates equal higher slaughter and increased beef production,” Wood says. “To the week ending October 9, 2021, Western Canada cattle slaughter is 1.947 million head, up 11.8 per cent compared to 2020, 4.7 per cent higher than in 2019 and 14.2 per cent higher than the five-year average.”

Total YTD western Canadian beef production is 758,445 tonnes, up 12 per cent from 2020, while total YTD Canadian beef production is up 11 per cent from 2020 at 965,500 tonnes.

“Increased beef production has benefited Alberta beef exports which are up 38.4 per cent by value and 25.5 per cent by volume compared to 2020 for the January to August period. Looking back to 2019, beef exports in 2021 are 37.6 per cent higher by value and 15.8 per cent higher by volume. Increased global and domestic demand for beef and the lack of expansion in the Canadian beef cow herd are two factors that will continue to support higher imported volumes of U.S. live cattle,” Wood says.

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Alberta Health Services will share the requirements vendors need to meet to sell food products at these farmers’ markets. Participants will also learn the difference between Alberta-approved farmers’ markets and other public markets, as well as what can and can not be sold.

For more information contact Eileen Kotowich, eileen.kotowich@gov.ab.ca or 780-853-8223.

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“We talk about everything, from seeding it to managing the crop as it grows, pest control, weather conditions, and harvesting is a huge component,” says Norquest’s Andrea Eriksson.

The course is comprised of five modules and will take six hours to complete.

Visit the Norquest College website to register or for more information.

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Blue says that wheat protein premiums this crop year have dropped back to below-average levels due to increased supply of higher protein wheat in the world. These crops include the dryness-reduced U.S. hard red winter wheat crop as well as European and post-Soviet state crops.

“In Alberta, this year’s protein premium is around two cents per bushel per one-tenth per cent of protein,” says Blue. “Although, the protein premium may vary from one buyer to another.

“Some buyers may quote that protein premium as 10 cents per bushel for a half percentage point of protein. Last spring, the protein premiums for wheat were historically high, averaging about five cents per bushel per one-tenth per cent protein point.”

He adds that for an individual buyer, the protein premium may differ at different protein levels. “For example, last year for some half-point protein increments, the premium was as high as eight cents per bushel per one-tenth point of protein. Over the last several years in Alberta, the average protein premium for wheat has been from 3.5 to four cents per bushel per one-tenth per cent protein level.”

Have a sample

As for some marketing strategies, Blue says that taking representative samples as grain is placed into storage and using the Canadian Grain Commission’s (CGC) Harvest Sample Program are a good start.

“There is no charge for the program during the harvest sample submission period, and the CGC provides for wheat the grade, protein and DON levels as well as the falling number,” he explains. “Although considered unofficial, that CGC grading information can then be used as a reference by producers in their marketing.”

The next step is shopping around widely to learn how buyers are grading your wheat and also learn the grade, protein and other grade aspect price differentials that each buyer is applying.

“On that note,” says Blue, “I realize that producers have encountered variations from buyer to buyer in grading, but I advise that producers should try to collect as much information about buyers’ prices as possible on which to base their sale decisions.”

Blue adds that producers who disagree with an assessed grade on delivery to a licensed primary elevator can request that a sample from that load be sent to the CGC for a grade assessment. “That grade will be the final grade for settlement. I know that producers are reluctant to challenge a grade factor, but that is a right of producers and the method that should be acceptable to buyers to maintain good relationships with producers.”

For more information about wheat protein premiums, contact Neil Blue at neil.blue@gov.ab.ca or 780-422-4053.

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Wood says that the Canfax reported price for Alberta fed, or slaughter, steers averaged just over $151 per cwt for the week ending February 8, 2019. That price is down $9 per cwt — or about $121 for a 1,350-lb. steer — since the start of the year.

“A number of market factors are at play, including seasonally slower beef demand and reports of an estimated five per cent decline in year-over-year U.S. beef exports in January.”

He notes that until recently, the mild winter had meant good feeding gains. “Steer carcass weights were 937 lbs. for the week ending February 8, 2019, up 35 lbs. from a year ago.

“We have also seen the fed steer basis weaken this year with the cash to cash nearly $15 per cwt under last week,” Wood said Feb. 19. “Looking back to 2018, the cash-to-cash basis was nearly $5 per cwt over for the same week.

“Looking ahead, prices are expected to stabilize and then start to improve as we move towards spring and see beef demand rebuild and supplies start to tighten,” adds Wood. “Currently, the estimated Alberta projected futures price for fed steers works out to just under $170 per cwt for May, then we will see softer prices in the high $140s into the fall.”

He says that year over year, Canadian slaughter and cut-out has increased eight per cent with heifer and cow slaughter increasing 17 per cent and seven per cent respectively in 2019.

“The average Canadian beef cutout value has strengthened about 10 per cent since the start of the year with the average year-to-date price six per cent higher than a year ago.”

Hay prices above average

Looking at the hay market, Wood says that the average provincial hay price in January was $153 per ton or just over 7.6 cents per lb. based on a 50 per cent alfalfa mix. “The January price is six per cent higher than a year ago and 37 per cent higher than the five-year average.”

He adds that this price is an average of all qualities. “A recent look at market offers for good mixed hay showed prices in the $200- to $225-per-ton range and up.”

Prices in the fourth quarter of 2018 differed from region to region in the province, explains Wood. “Grass and alfalfa hay were reported lower in price in northern Alberta — dependent on quality. Grass hay prices were reported from just under six cents per lb. in the north to around 10.5 cents per lb. in southern Alberta. Alfalfa hay prices ranged from just under seven cents per lb. in the north to 11 cents per lb. in the south.”

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