The future starts now — and that’s why these younger producers are taking time from what is a very busy time of their lives to serve with Alberta Beef Producers. Pictured above are Melissa Lemmer and Brodie Haugan and inset (from the left) are Kaylee Chizawsky, Austin Dow, and Melissa Downing.

Young and passionate: Why these ranchers are taking a seat at the table

It’s about focusing on things that matter now in order to build a better future, say these young leaders

Reading Time: 7 minutes Young producers are coming to the Alberta Beef Producers’ table — and they’re bringing their ideas and passions with them. Kaylee Chizawsky is one of them. The fourth-generation cattle farmer is one of a number of younger people serving as a delegate or board member for the five-decade-old organization. It’s important that her generation “advocate […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market starts seasonal rally

Ontario demand leads charge higher in Manitoba

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $4 to as much as $6 higher on average. Calf markets were sharply higher. Auction barns in Manitoba reported calf prices up $8-$10 on average with certain pockets up as much $15. Calf markets in Alberta and Saskatchewan were up a solid $5-$8 from week-ago levels. […] Read more


Round Rock Ranching has long employed rotational grazing and Sean McGrath says water infiltration on his ranch is noticeably higher than on other operations in the area.

Rotational grazing doesn’t make rain, but it helps to keep it, study finds

Five-year, project finds high-intensity grazing boosts water infiltration by up to 30 per cent

Reading Time: 3 minutes Rotational grazing isn’t just good for the soil — it turns out the practice results in a huge bump in soil water infiltration. “What we were finding for water infiltration was that AMP (adaptive multi-paddock) grazing was adding about 30 per cent more water infiltration into the soil,” said Timm Döbert, who was part of […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feedlot demand up prior to seasonal rally

Market for calves 'boiling hot' in Manitoba

For the week ending April 30, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quite variable. Yearlings traded $8 lower as much as $5 higher. Severe discounts were noted on fleshier cattle; some auction barns reported the bulk of cattle over 800 pounds were medium to heavier flesh. Deferred live cattle futures were under pressure but the […] Read more


Canada’s cattle sector has been in “downsizing mode” for years and lately has been relying on imports for American cattle to keep packing plants busy, says analyst Anne Wasko.

Prices are rising, but optimism isn’t for battered cattle sector

Herd numbers have been shrinking for 16 years, and that’s something the sector can’t cope with forever

Reading Time: 5 minutes As producers busy themselves with spring calving, the Canadian cattle herd continues to shrink. “Cattle supplies are getting smaller. They have in Canada for many years, and now the United States is into its third year of liquidation as well,” said Anne Wasko, market analyst for Gateway Livestock Services who also ranches in Saskatchewan. On […] Read more

Calves are being sold sooner than expected while cow culling rates are higher than normal.  Photo: Thinkstock

Klassen: Adverse weather tempers feeder cattle market

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. Southern Alberta experienced severe wind and dust storms last week which softened buying interest from a large portion of feedlot operators. At the same time, grass conditions are quite variable across the Prairies despite the recent precipitation. Cooler temperatures […] Read more


Photo: File

U.S. livestock: CME cattle, hog futures hit two week lows on robust supplies

Chicago | Reuters – CME Group live cattle and hog futures fell to two-week lows on Monday, pressured by bearish government supply reports released late on Friday. “There’s no shortage of market supplies or beef production until the fourth quarter at the earliest,” brokerage StoneX wrote in a note to clients. The U.S. Agriculture Department said on […] Read more



Just days after taking on the cattle sector’s top leadership job, the pandemic hit — the first in a series of crises Bob Lowe had to deal with. But demand for Canadian beef has never been stronger and there are much better times ahead, says the past president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.

It’s been one crisis after another but better days are coming

After two very tough years, better days are on the way for cattle sector, says Bob Lowe

Reading Time: 4 minutes COVID. Drought. Border blockades. A feed crisis. Packing plant closures. As the man at the helm of Canada’s top cattle organization, Bob Lowe has had more fires to put out than any Canadian Cattlemen’s Association president in recent memory. And now that he’s finished his term as president, the Nanton-area rancher and feedlot operator is […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feedlots value feeders on finished cattle price projections

Compared to the week ending March 2, western Canadian yearling prices were $3-$5 lower on average. Mid-weight replacements in the range of 650-800 lbs. were down $8-$12. Steer calves under 650 lbs. traded steady to $5 lower. Heifer calves under 650 lbs. were also down $8-$12. The market was hard to define for heifer calves […] Read more