Reading Time: 3 minutes Thank you for the recent article about feed assistance in Alberta Farmer Express. I would like to add to this. I am a cattle producer in northern Alberta. We did receive some rain in late August, but too late for our first and often only cut of hay. Our area does not qualify for the […] Read more
Letter to the editor: AgriRecovery too limited for cattle sector
U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures extend gains, await U.S. data
Fund liquidation and technical selling seem exhausted after driving live cattle to Friday lows
U.S. cattle futures extended gains on Wednesday as traders adjusted positions after steep losses last week and ahead of monthly supply data due on Friday.
Klassen: Cash feeder prices soften on futures market uncertainty
Supplies are higher than expected as consumers reign in spending
The live and feeder cattle futures appear to be incorporating a risk discount due to the uncertainty in demand. Consumers are pulling in the reigns on spending. Interest rates are at 40 year highs and inflation remains elevated. Larger supplies and lower demand results in lower prices.
Province blames feds for limits to new beef program
Only approved municipalities will benefit from new CADLA program, raising producer ire
Reading Time: 3 minutes The provincial government is blaming the feds for a controversial condition in a new risk management program aimed at beef producers. The recently-announced Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance (CADLA) program has raised the ire of beef producers across Alberta. They’re unhappy that only growers in certain municipalities (mostly in the northwest and southern ends of the […] Read more
Klassen: Buyers contemplate feeder market prices
In adverse weather, sale results vary
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$5/cwt lower on average although limited numbers made the market hard to define. Calf markets traded $4-$8/cwt on either side of unchanged. It appeared that 700-plus-lb. calves were up $4 to as much as $8. The variation in the price structure was due to the adverse […] Read more
ABP delegate nominations open for 2024
Nomination forms must be submitted by Nov. 15
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers’ delegate nominations are now open, with two-year positions available in all five zones and one-year positions available in central, northwest, and southeast zones. Delegates represent the needs and ideas of producers in their local area and keep them informed on the latest from ABP. Nominees should be passionate about Alberta’s beef industry, […] Read more
Klassen: Canadian feeder market holds value despite weaker futures
Weaker loonie offers support
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices traded $3-$5 lower while calf values were relatively unchanged. The market was slightly softer early in the week. On Wednesday, Alberta packers renewed fed cattle bids similar to week-ago levels and the aggressive buying lifted calf prices back up to levels similar to seven days earlier. Adverse […] Read more
Feed assistance welcome but ‘won’t be enough’
AgriRecovery program comes too late for cattle producers who have already made the tough decisions
Reading Time: 5 minutes Alberta’s cattle industry is in a crisis due to another year of drought, and while the latest AgriRecovery program will help the situation, more is needed to maintain the stability of the sector, according to the vice-chair of Alberta Beef Producers. “It won’t be enough, guaranteed, and for some it’s too late and they won’t […] Read more
Are remote drug delivery devices the right choice for your cattle operation?
Beef 911: There are resources available to help with that decision
Reading Time: 3 minutes Many producers use remote drug delivery devices. If you are thinking of using one, or if you have used one in the past, this article may be a good review. Dart guns have their pros and cons but the Beef Cattle Research Council has some great resources that can help. It offers guidelines on usage […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market vulnerable to weakness
Placements higher than expected
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$5 on either side of unchanged. Prices for 800-plus-lb. yearlings were firm in Manitoba but softened in western regions. Calf prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. There were larger volumes of calves on offer with many auction barns holding feature sales. The increase in supplies […] Read more