Reading Time: < 1 minute Calving can be an exciting but challenging time. Whether in the middle of calving season or planning for the next, the Beef Cattle Research Council has several helpful calving resources to set producers up for success. It has posted on its website, beefresearch.ca, a series of seven tips with short articles and videos on subjects […] Read more
Seven tips for calving season
China agrees to resume imports of Brazilian beef
Beijing authorizes four new Brazilian plants
Beijing/Sao Paulo | Reuters –– Efforts by the Brazilian government to lift a month-long ban on beef exports to China paid off on Thursday, as Beijing agreed to resume imports while also approving four new beef packers based in Brazil, according to authorities in both countries. China’s General Administration of Customs approved the resumption of […] Read more
New chair takes the reins at ABP
Brodie Haugan says important issues include the decline in the cow herd and the long-term health of the cow-calf sector
Reading Time: 3 minutes The youngest-ever chair of Alberta Beef Producers says he’s excited to bring the voice of the next generation to the organization. “To be honest, when I first got involved with ABP, I had no intent of getting to the top position,” said 32-year-old Brodie Hagen, who ranches near Orion. “I just saw the opportunity to […] Read more
Klassen: Stronger fed cattle market pulls feeders upward
Feedlots becoming more current with production
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling and calf markets were quoted steady to $5 higher on average. Strength was noted in southern Alberta. In the Lethbridge area, prices for lighter flesh replacements were up as much as $10 from seven days earlier. Larger supplies of backgrounded cattle are coming on the market at this […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market scaling fresh heights
Heifer retention expected in U.S. this spring
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $5 to as much as $10 higher. Replacements in the 650- to 800-lb. category were up $6-$12; calves under 650 lbs. were relatively unchanged although volumes were limited. Lightweight calves were hard to come by last week. Weather may have been a factor. Many factors contributed […] Read more
It’s been 25 years of livestock traceability
On the right track: Tracking livestock is now pretty conventional, but it wasn’t always — and still isn’t in some countries
Reading Time: 3 minutes It was groundbreaking in its day, but 25 years later — and well over 100 million ear tags —it’s hard to imagine the days when there was no livestock traceability. “It’s an everyday thing now — resistance is minimal,” said Anne Brunet-Burgess, general manager of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency. The organization held its first […] Read more
Feedlots a big economic engine for Alberta
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association has produced a promotional video highlighting the sector’s economic impact in the province. Based on 2020 data compiled by ag consulting firm Serecon, the sector generates $2.9 billion in economic activity annually. Roughly a third of that comes directly from the sector and the other two-thirds in spinoffs. For every animal […] Read more
Farm Credit Canada forecasts cattle prices to strengthen
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farm Credit Canada is forecasting much higher cattle prices this year. The lender predicts hundred-weight prices for 550-pound steers will average $270 (versus $225 last year) and $225 for 850-lb. steers (versus $185 in 2022). “The robust prices will be a big reason margins in the cow-calf sector are forecast to be strong in 2023 […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market continues the climb
Statistics show tightening supplies in Canada, U.S.
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets yearling markets traded $2-$5 higher. Replacements in the 700- to 800-lb. weight category appeared to jump $5 to as much as $15 in some cases. Calves weighing 500-700 lbs. were unchanged to $4 higher on average after rallying nearly $20 over the past month. There were limited […] Read more
Imagine moving your cattle with just a swipe on a smartphone
Nofence is already in use in Europe and now researchers are putting it to the test here
Reading Time: 4 minutes The idea is appealing: Imagine moving your cattle from the comfort of your armchair or while you’re away from the ranch. And it could become reality, says a University of Alberta professor who is testing Nofence collars, a product that its Norwegian maker bills as “the world’s first virtual fence for livestock.” “We see a […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
