Reading Time: < 1 minute Backgrounding basics and crafting a grazing game plan are two of the topics in this winter’s season of webinars from the Beef Cattle Research Council. The first webinar on backgrounding (Nov. 17) features two vets and a livestock nutritionist. It will be followed by ones on collecting data during calving season (on Jan. 12), developing […] Read more
Beef webinar season starting up soon
Klassen: Feeder market continues consolidation
U.S. corn northbound into Prairies
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged while calf markets were down $2-$3 on average. Feedlot inventories in Alberta and Saskatchewan are 30 per cent above the five-year average; therefore, demand is lacking moving into the main marketing period for calves. Finishing feedlots have sufficient ownership and being fairly finicky on […] Read more
Argentina to restart beef exports to China after caps lifted
Buenos Aires | Reuters — Argentina on Tuesday said it would once again allow cattle farmers to freely export beef to China, lifting a cap imposed earlier this year that had stoked tensions with the agricultural sector. The government had capped beef exports at 50 per cent of the normal volumes to tamp down fast-rising […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market holds value
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged; calf prices held value, but there were pockets like Lethbridge where values were $2-$4 higher. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis in the range of $156-$158. If an Alberta feedlot booked its feed grains in April […] Read more
Sustainable beef has made big gains, but there’s more to do
Beef industry now needs to achieve ambitious targets to combat climate change, says expert
Reading Time: 3 minutes Canada’s beef sector is a model when it comes to sustainability but the entire industry has more to do in the face of a changing climate, says an expert in global beef supply chains. “Our needs today are changing rapidly — with the widespread droughts in some places and flooding in others,” Tim Hardman of […] Read more
Klassen: Finishing feedlot demand drives yearlings higher
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded $2 lower to as much as $5 higher. Strength was once again noted in southern Alberta where heavier yearlings recorded a fresh 52-week high. Calves were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. Larger groups of quality weaned genetics traded as much $5 above average values. Feather-lite bawlers under […] Read more
Klassen: Lower beef production supports cash feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; calf prices traded $2 on either side of week-ago levels. December and February live cattle futures have dropped $8-$10 off the highs while feed grain values have remained firm. Buyers were on the defensive this past week, given the softer outlook for fed cattle […] Read more
JBS plans to reopen Nebraska beef plant damaged in fire
'Primary production areas' not hit
Chicago | Reuters — JBS USA on Monday halted production at a Nebraska beef plant that slaughters about five per cent of U.S. cattle due to a fire, but said the company expects to resume operations on Tuesday. The temporary closure highlighted concerns among lawmakers and ranchers that the U.S. is vulnerable to supply disruptions […] Read more
China’s buyers expect Brazil’s beef back soon despite BSE cases
Beijing | Reuters — Chinese beef importers said Monday the suspension of exports by top supplier Brazil due to two cases of BSE has had no immediate market impact, with some still making purchases in anticipation of a quick resumption of trade. Brazil said on Saturday it had confirmed two cases of ‘atypical’ bovine spongiform […] Read more
Klassen: Optimistic fed cattle outlook supports feeder market
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 higher. Strong demand was noted on yearlings, which spilt over into the lighter weight categories. Major feedlot operators in Alberta set the price structure, with aggressive orders flowing across the Prairies. Some operators have been holding back on purchases due to higher prices; however, […] Read more
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