Livestock
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged to slightly softer compared to mid-December. The market was lightly tested, with direct off farm to feedlot trade, but auction market activity was rather quiet. Winter conditions in southern Alberta caused buyers to be on the defensive, with lighter calves reflecting small discounts; however, vaccinated feeders on […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market starts year with cautious tone
U.S. livestock: Hogs rise on China hopes
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures were mostly higher on Tuesday, supported by prospects for improving export demand, traders said. The market was waiting for a pickup in deals from China due to the spread of African swine fever there. “That hope is still out there, but it’s elusive, and it’s up […] Read more
PEDv arrives in Alberta hogs
Veterinary officials in Alberta are now investigating the province’s first-ever outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) in hogs. Alberta Pork, the province’s hog producer commission, and the provincial government on Tuesday announced an outbreak of the viral disease at what was described as a “400-head hog operation.” Javier Bahamon, quality assurance and production manager for […] Read more
Sustainable beef pilot continuing
Reading Time: < 1 minute A year-long pilot project aimed at helping establish a steady supply of certified sustainable beef for interested buyers is being extended. “The positive momentum is encouraging,” said the organizers of the Canadian Beef Sustainability Acceleration pilot project. “Due to its success and increasing customer demand for beef from certified sustainable sources, the pilot team is […] Read more
Horse owners need to be aware of new drug rules
You now need a prescription for all antimicrobials and a relationship with a veterinarian
Reading Time: 3 minutes First of all, the idea of veterinary oversight regarding the use of antibiotics in animals is nothing new. However, as of Dec. 1, animal owners now need the involvement of a veterinarian for purchase of all antimicrobials for animal health to ensure their prudent use. New federal regulations will require all antimicrobials used in animals […] Read more
Maximums for loan guarantee program doubled
Feeder association members can get up to $2 million from loan guarantee program to finance calf crop
Reading Time: < 1 minute The maximum loan limit for the provincial Feeder Association Loan Guarantee Program has been doubled to $2 million. The increase, which applies to both individual and joint membership loan limits, will allow feeder associations to distribute their fixed costs across a greater number of livestock and provide increased access to capital. The provincial government is […] Read more
U.S. top court won’t hear Quebec farmers over foie gras ban
Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected the latest challenge to California’s ban on foie gras, a delicacy produced from the enlarged livers of ducks and geese that have been force-fed corn. The court declined to hear an appeal by producers of foie gras, including the Association des Eleveurs de Canards […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle break losing streak on bargain buying
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose 1.2 per cent on Monday, rebounding from five straight sessions of declines on a round of bargain buying. Feeder cattle futures also closed higher after sinking to a one-month low during the session while lean hog futures eased. Cattle also received support from news […] Read more
Herd numbers tell a tale of hard times and a slow recovery
After ‘an interesting 15 years,’ there are signs that things are finally getting back to normal, says analyst
Reading Time: 4 minutes When this paper came into existence, the province’s cattle herd was growing by leaps and bounds. But that wasn’t good news — it was because the discovery of a single cow with BSE in May 2003 had caused the border to slam shut, reducing the opportunities to market cattle. “Nationally, when we started out that […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle ease on technical selling after steady cash sales
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures eased as much as one per cent on Thursday, weighed down by technical selling and steady deals in cash markets in the southern Plains, traders and analysts said. Live cattle futures weakened for the fourth straight session on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The market had climbed to life-of-contract […] Read more