China will launch an investigation into beef imports, the commerce ministry said on Friday, as the world's biggest meat importer and consumer grapples with an oversupplied market that has sent domestic prices to multi-year lows.

China investigates beef imports as oversupply squeezes prices

Bird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human case in US, CDC says
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday its analysis of samples from the first severe case of bird flu in the country last week showed mutations not seen in samples from an infected backyard flock on the patient's property.

ICE canola futures jump on speculative buying
Canola's rise comes as buyers have moved in while farmers have backed off sales. Farmers tend to sell less in the last weeks of December if their fiscal year ends on Dec. 31, and then sell more heavily in early January.

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs end flat, demand for US pork underpins prices
Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures finished flat on Tuesday as strong demand for U.S. pork underpinned the market a day after federal data showed the nation's herd was slightly bigger than expected, analysts said.

U.S. grains: Soy futures extend recovery from four-year low hit last week
Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures finished higher on short covering on Tuesday as the market extended a rebound from a four-year low reached last week.

Global hunger crisis deepens as major nations skimp on aid
The United Nations says that, at best, it will be able to raise enough money to help about 60 per cent of the 307 million people it predicts will need humanitarian aid next year. That means at least 117 million people won't get food or other assistance in 2025.

China plans decade-long drive to boost cereal grain consumption
China on Tuesday launched a decade-long plan to boost consumption of cereal grains and develop the industry through higher production standards, research and international cooperation as part of efforts to enhance food security.

Russian watchdog says winter wheat access to Chinese market a priority in 2025
Securing access for Russia's winter wheat and barley to the Chinese market remains a priority for the coming year, Russia's agricultural watchdog said on Tuesday, even though the market expects Russia's grain harvest and exports to fall.

Prairie forecast: Mild, quiet holidays expected
Forecast issued Dec. 24, covering Dec. 24 to Dec. 31, 2024
The weather for this forecast period will be largely controlled by a large, stationary area of low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska. This has been sending wave after wave over energy into coastal B.C. This will result in a predominately west to southwesterly flow across the Prairies—meaning a continuation of mild temperatures as Pacific air dominates.

Klassen: Feeder market finishes 2024 on strong tone
For the week ending December 21, Western Canadian backgrounded cattle and heavier calves were unchanged to $5 lower on average. Calves in the 600-800 pound range were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 pounds were steady to $10 higher.