Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $3 lower on average; calves were relatively unchanged but limited numbers were on offer. Strength in the Canadian dollar appeared to temper demand from south of the border in the 750-plus-lb. weight categories. Last week was the first full week of sales in both […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market remains firm
Loblaw to increase sustainable beef buying
Reading Time: < 1 minute Loblaw is tripling its purchase of beef produced under sustainable beef protocols. One year after pledging to buy one million pounds of certified sustainable beef, the Canadian grocery giant now says it will buy three million pounds by 2023. To be certified, the cattle must be raised on farms and processed under protocols established by […] Read more
Grass-fed beef: The premiums are there but so is the work
It takes longer to get paid, and marketing and delivery will be critical to your success
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s not for everyone, but raising grass-fed beef can bring returns that conventional cow-calf producers can only dream about. “Someone can make a living off 70 head of grass-fed beef easily — or even 50,” said Ben Campbell, who raises both grass-fed and conventional cattle near Black Diamond. “Where if you produce 50 calves a […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder markets start 2022 with a roar
Compared to late December, western Canadian yearling prices were quoted $6-$8 higher on average; however, fancier, lower flesh packages in the 850- to 900-lb. category were $10-$12 higher. Calf markets were quite variable. Early in the week, calf prices were relatively unchanged but markets were up $3-$6 by Friday. Ontario buyers were extremely aggressive last […] Read more
China, Philippines suspend beef imports from Canada on BSE case
Winnipeg | Reuters –– China and the Philippines have suspended imports of Canadian beef due to Canada’s detection in December of a cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a spokesperson for Canada’s agriculture department said on Monday. The moves follow an import suspension by South Korea last month, after Canada reported its first BSE […] Read more
When cows have a choice of chow, what tickles their palate?
Knowing forage preferences of free-range cattle could help boost productivity and influence breeding
Reading Time: 2 minutes The dietary preferences of free-range cattle are being studied like never before — and the findings could boost productivity, influence cattle breeding, and lighten the environmental footprint of herds. “This is pioneering work — no one has ever at this scale linked together the productivity and associated economics, genetics and environmental outcomes of free-range grazing,” […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market has positive factors
There were no feeder cattle sales last week due to the holiday season; however, this didn’t stop many cow-calf producers from inquiring about the market outlook for 2022. This past year was one for the record books. There is no doubt about it. Waves of COVID-19 caused beef demand to be quite volatile from month […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures drop on profit-taking; lean hogs fall
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell on Thursday on profit-taking after a previous session rally resulted in several contracts hitting new highs, traders said. CME February live cattle settled down 0.750 cent at 139.975 cents per pound. Feeder cattle futures, which were supported by a slump in Chicago corn futures, […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME livestock futures rise on supply concerns
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange livestock futures climbed on Wednesday, as cash cattle prices firmed on concerns around meat supplies to meet anticipated demand going into next year, traders said. Cattle futures ended higher, as beef carcass cutout prices continued to firm and cash cattle traded higher, traders said. Cash cattle traded at […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rise on expectations of beef demand; hogs ease
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures finished higher on Tuesday, as slaughter rates increased and carcass cutout values continued to firm, traders said. There is an expectation of beef prices continuing to firm and demand be strong going into the first quarter of 2022, said Doug Houghton, analyst with Brock Capital Management. […] Read more
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