Reading Time: 3 minutes Interest in producing sustainable beef is growing thanks to a pilot program that is paying producers who meet the standards laid out by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, says the organization’s new chair. “I think it’s happening,” said Anne Wasko. “In this business, change happens fairly slowly. But the dollars are out there — […] Read more
‘It’s happening,’ says new chair of sustainable beef group
Interest in producing — and consuming — sustainable beef is growing, says Anne Wasko
It’s strange times in cattle markets – and normal seems a long ways off
Prices, feeder cattle movement, and the basis are all behaving strangely this year, says analyst
Reading Time: 4 minutes If you’re confused about the cattle market, you’re not alone — it is not behaving normally. “We’ve got some interesting things going on,” said Anne Wasko, market analyst with Gateway Livestock. “Over the last six to eight months, we’ve had feeder cattle moving north since last fall. This year, we’ve got feeder cattle going south. […] Read more
Count ’em up: Lots of positives for cattle sector
A price rebound, a good haying season, and a third packer are three things to be thankful for
Reading Time: 3 minutes Cattle producers have a lot to celebrate. “Our prices for feeder and fed cattle are holding up quite well right now,” said Jason Wood, provincial livestock market analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. No one could have predicted that the market would go as high as it did, he said. “If we compare current prices […] Read more
Good times gone in a flash for cattle sector
Cash-to-cash basis is one of the lone bright spots, but that too could vanish if Trump White House brings back COOL
Reading Time: 4 minutes Anne Wasko has had a knot in her stomach since Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in the U.S. presidential election. “I’m certainly hopeful, but the one thing that makes me nervous at any time is uncertainty,” said Wasko, marketing analyst with Gateway Livestock Marketing. “It’s way too early to jump to conclusions, but the fact is, […] Read more
Cattle markets take a downturn
U.S. herd expansion and a rising dollar mean the Canadian cattle market is taking a hit, says Anne Wasko
Reading Time: 3 minutes Canadian cattle prices are headed for a downturn and they’re going to stay on the low side for the next two years. “The wheels are coming off the bus,” said Anne Wasko, market analyst with Gateway Livestock. The downturn is partially due to the recent increase of the Canadian dollar. “This isn’t a slow progression […] Read more
What a year for cattle — but sharpen your pencils for 2016
Market expert Anne Wasko says a 3.5-million-head increase in the U.S. herd is going to be the story going forward
Reading Time: 3 minutes Cattle prices may be ending the year on a low note, but even so, it’s been a record-breaking run. “Averages are averages, but 2015 will go down in the record books for the cycle highs for Canada,” said Anne Wasko, marketing analyst with Gateway Livestock Marketing. “Everybody’s focusing on today, and of course, the market’s […] Read more
More cattle heading to market as drought worsens
Emphasis was on growing the herd, but that’s been nearly abandoned due to dry conditions
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s just a trickle now, but there are fears of a flood of cattle going to market if the drought continues. “It’s a little too early to be splitting up pairs, but we are seeing some pairs sell,” said Anne Wasko, market analyst with Gateway Livestock Services. Sale figures are being closely watched these days […] Read more
A long-overdue return to profitability
Five to Remember: "We couldn't sustain an industry, let alone grow it."
Reading Time: 2 minutes While “nothing stays the same forever,” market analyst Anne Wasko is confident high beef prices will stick around for at least another year. “The cow-calf sector was long overdue for some profitability,” said Wasko, president of Cattle Trends and a market analyst with Gateway Livestock Exchange in Taber. “We couldn’t sustain an industry, let alone […] Read more
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