Livestock
Reading Time: 4 minutes After a decade in “cow politics” — and a lifetime in the cattle sector — Bob Lowe has a pretty straightforward wish for what he’d like to see in the coming decade. “I’d like to see Canada’s beef industry get bigger,” said the Nanton rancher and feedlot operator, who is also president of the Canadian […] Read more
There’s a payoff ahead for the cattle sector, say industry leaders
There are fewer cows and ranchers than 10 years ago, but that may change in the coming decade
Sustainable beef processing expanded
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cargill will be able to source beef from farms and ranches across the country that are certified under Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef protocols. However, while the company’s processing plant in Guelph, Ont. has successfully completed certification, it was temporarily shut down on Dec. 17 after more than 80 workers contracted COVID-19. Once it is […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle prices digesting uncertainty
Defensive tone likely through January
The feeder cattle market was very quiet during the last week of December with auction barns in holiday mode. There were discussions regarding direct sales but no actual business was confirmed. The stakes are too high given the market uncertainty; a defensive tone will likely continue throughout January. Feed grains continue to percolate higher; the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle sag as Wall Street retreats, grain prices rise
Wholesale ham prices supportive for hogs
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures fell more than two per cent on Monday, pressured by ample beef supplies and fund-driven selling as Wall Street equities declined, analysts said. Feeder cattle futures fell even harder, dropping by three per cent as U.S. corn futures rose to almost $5 a bushel for the first […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures ease as corn prices soar, raising feed costs
Chicago | Reuters – U.S. live cattle futures declined on Wednesday for a second session as surging corn prices signaled rising feed costs and pressured feeder cattle futures, traders said. Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) February live cattle futures settled down 0.125 cent at 114.450 cents per pound, while CME March feeder cattle tumbled 1.475 cents […] Read more
Strike a better deal with U.K. on beef, says CCA
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is hailing the interim trade deal with the U.K., but says a new long-term agreement needs to “resolve trade barriers” when it comes to the trade in beef between the two countries. “A glaring inequity that remains to be resolved is that Canadian beef producers face far more hurdles to export […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures retreat as Wall Street dips, feed costs rise
Chicago | Reuters – U.S. cattle futures retreated on Tuesday after hitting a near three-month high in the previous session as rising feed costs and a downturn in equities markets triggered selling. Cattle futures have firmed in recent days as hopes for an economic stimulus deal in Washington overshadowed worries about restaurant closures and travel […] Read more
Klassen: Lighter calves end year on positive tone
Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2 lower to $3 higher depending on the region. Many auction markets were in holiday mode last week and thinner volumes made the market harder to define. Generally speaking, the market was supported by stronger deferred live cattle futures and a slightly weaker Canadian dollar; […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures hit six-week high; hog futures ease after rally
Chicago | Reuters – U.S. cattle futures rose for the sixth time in seven sessions on Thursday, hitting a six-week high on signs of strength in the cash market, traders said. Hog futures eased after four straight days of gains pushed the front-month contract to its highest in nearly two months on Wednesday. Volumes were […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hog futures rise to highest since late October; cattle firms
Chicago | Reuters – U.S. hog futures rose to their highest in nearly two months on Wednesday, supported by a round of technical buying and tight pork supplies. After the market closed on Tuesday, the U.S. government released a report that showed that domestic frozen pork belly stocks as of Nov. 30 stood at 23.111 […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
