Livestock
Washington | Reuters — The leaders of the U.S. and Canada expressed optimism on Wednesday that they could reach new NAFTA deal by a Friday deadline as negotiators prepared to talk through the night, although Canada warned that a number of tricky issues remained. Under pressure, Canada rejoined the talks to modernize the 24-year-old North […] Read more
Trump, Trudeau upbeat about prospects for NAFTA deal by Friday
U.S. livestock: Cattle mostly higher on technical buying
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were narrowly higher on Wednesday, lifted by light technical buying as traders awaited deals in U.S. Plains cash cattle markets, analysts said. Feeder cattle futures were slightly lower and lean hogs were mixed, with fresh news relatively scant. Most-active CME October live cattle ticked up […] Read more
Allflex buys RFID reader maker Agrident
One of the world’s biggest livestock identification firms has expanded its share of the radio frequency ID (RFID) tag reader market with a deal to buy German manufacturer Agrident. Allflex, whose parent firm the Allflex Group rebranded in February under the name Antelliq, announced Aug. 21 it has bought Agrident for an undisclosed sum. Agrident, […] Read more
Prairies’ dry weather may stem U.S. cattle stampede north
Winnipeg | Reuters — Parched pastures and crops in Western Canada are driving up cattle-feeding costs, and farmers and analysts expect the changing economics to stem a recent stampede of U.S. cattle being brought over the border. Canada imported 65,035 head of cattle from the U.S. from January through June, nearly double the pace of […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market softens
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$5 lower on average while calf markets were relatively unchanged. Weakness in deferred live cattle futures, along with stronger barley prices, set a negative tone. Most of the Prairies have received less than 40 per cent of normal precipitation over the last 30 days, but this […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hogs ease on weak cash markets, spreading
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures fell on Tuesday, pressured by weaker prices in cash hog markets and spreading as the market gave back a portion of the steep gains notched on Monday, traders and analysts said. Hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Monday jumped by their three-cent daily price limit […] Read more
Canada rejoins NAFTA talks, deal seen as possible this week
Washington | Reuters — Canada’s top trade negotiator joins her Mexican and U.S. counterparts in Washington on Tuesday in a bid to remain part of a revamped trilateral North American trade pact, as U.S. officials expressed optimism a deal could be reached this week. But Ottawa will be under pressure to accept new terms on […] Read more
Coop federee buys into Ontario feed sector
Fresh off its recent investment in the Prairie livestock feed business, Quebec ag co-operative giant La Coop federee is headed down a similar path in southwestern Ontario. The co-operative announced Monday it will pay an undisclosed sum for a 50 per cent stake in W-S Feed and Supply, based at Tavistock, Ont., about 30 km […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hogs limit up on U.S.-Mexico deal, China swine fever
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures surged by their daily three-cent price limit on Monday, buoyed by hopes of increased U.S. pork exports following news of a trade deal with top importer Mexico, traders said. Hog futures were further supported by the outbreak of African swine fever in China, which has […] Read more
Feed skyrockets in many areas — but there are options out there
Hay is uneconomical in some areas, forcing producers to either cull or find alternative feed sources
Reading Time: 5 minutes Record-setting temperatures in mid-August have added pressure to an already desperate situation for cattle producers across Alberta. “There are some people who are going to be really short on feed and pasture,” Alberta Beef Producers executive director Rich Smith said in mid-August. “Some people are in a really tough situation. The heat last week was […] Read more