Livestock
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. livestock futures fell on Wednesday, pressured by sharp declines in the equities markets and uncertainty about demand due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The cattle and hog markets surged on Tuesday because of strength in the cash market after consumers cleared out grocery store shelves in anticipation of being homebound […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs fall on demand uncertainty
Pork supply chain not experiencing disruptions, says hog marketing agency
Entire sector has strong biosecurity protocols, says general manager of the Western Hog Exchange
Reading Time: 2 minutes Prices are soft but the hog supply chain is working well, says the general manager of the Western Hog Exchange. The typical mid-March price rally hasn’t occurred but COVID-19 has roiled all markets, said Brent Bushell. “It’s no different than the stock markets, and everything else. It’s the uncertainty,” said Bushell. “I think people are […] Read more
Call your vet before you go to clinic during COVID-19
Different vet clinics have adopted different protocols
Animal welfare is paramount during COVID-19 — but so is human health. That’s why Darrell Dalton, registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, recommends you call ahead before you go to your vet. “Different practices have taken different measures and different steps,” he said. “Some of the small practices are limiting the number of people […] Read more
Uncertainty drags on Canadian cattle markets
Beef demand is strong but cattle prices are under pressure, Canfax says
Cattle markets have tumbled as a result of COVID-19, according to the senior analyst at Canfax. “Feeder markets are off pretty hard, some of them are off 15 to 20 cents a pound, this week,” Brian Perillat said Tuesday. “They have been depressed over the last month. Feedlots too. Fed price is at the low […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs rally after grocery stores depleted
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle and hog futures surged on Tuesday, fueled by strength in the cash market as the grocery sector looked to restock shelves following heavy buying during the weekend. Bargain buying also helped support the livestock market. Both live cattle and feeder cattle futures were recovering from near 10-year lows hit […] Read more
Livestock auction marts to decide on next steps
Livestock Marketing Association of Canada pondering next move in face of pandemic
You may want to call first to see if it’s open, but many auction marts in Alberta were still having sales on Tuesday morning. The Livestock Marketing Association of Canada has a conference call set for this evening to discuss COVID-19 safety measures for staff, customers and buyers, said Chance Martin, an LMAC director and […] Read more
Cattle mats help prevent slips and injuries when processing
Mats are a simple and relatively inexpensive way to improve traction and reduce slips, says Lacombe feedlot operator
Reading Time: 2 minutes Slips, trips, and falls in cattle can be common occurrences when putting animals through handling systems. For Lacombe-area farmer Colin Rice, preventing these occurrences when they built their feedlot was on their to-do list. Rice, who operates Rice Farms Ltd. with his cousin, decided to start a feedlot when they took over the farm three […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market digesting lower beef demand
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $12-$18; mid-weight calves were down $10 to as much as $15 while calves under 550 lbs. were down $4-$8. The market is incorporating a risk discount due to uncertainty in beef demand for the second and third quarters of 2020. Feedlot margins are in negative […] Read more
China encourages firms to raise pigs overseas
Officials aim to plug domestic pork shortage
Beijing | Reuters — China said Monday it is encouraging companies to build pig farms overseas to plug a severe domestic pork shortage after a worse-than-ever African swine fever slashed almost half of its pig herd. China has urged local authorities to support qualified domestic firms to “go out,” and build hog farming bases in […] Read more
U.S. under pressure to keep slaughterhouses open
Chicago | Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking to reassure meat producers it will keep slaughterhouses staffed with federal inspectors as fears about potential shutdowns due to the COVID-19 coronavirus hammer livestock prices and fuel concerns about food supplies, meat industry groups said on Monday. Livestock markets have been hit hard as […] Read more
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