Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 lower on average while calves were down $3-$5 depending on the region. Weakness in the fed cattle market continues to spill over into the feeder complex, as margins drift further into red ink. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $245-$246 delivered […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle demand softens
U.S. livestock: Hog futures advance after Trump calls off Mexico tariffs
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures rose on Monday as traders were relieved President Donald Trump had called off plans to impose tariffs on imports of Mexican goods, which means no retaliatory duties by Mexico on U.S. products like pork. Live cattle futures rose by the daily price limit. Traders remained on edge about […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Futures end week on sour note
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle and hog futures fell on Friday, pressured by fears that Mexico, a key importer of both U.S. beef and pork, will retaliate against President Donald Trump’s plans to roll out tariffs on imports from Mexico next week. The trade worries come as U.S. supplies of both hogs […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley bids rise on weather woes, tight old-crop supplies
MarketsFarm — Tight old-crop supplies and mounting weather concerns over new-crop production are keeping feed grain prices well supported in Western Canada as end-users work to ration supplies. “We’ve seen a very real weather market emerge in the last few weeks,” said Brandon Motz of CorNine Commodities at Lacombe, Alta., pointing to wet conditions hampering […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Corn rally drags on feeder cattle futures
Chicago | Reuters — A rally in corn prices sent feeder cattle futures sliding on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) on Thursday, while deferred live cattle futures inched upward earlier in the day on signs of short-covering, traders said. Corn futures were choppy early, as weather forecasts across the U.S. Midwest continued to show a […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle rally on corn futures slump
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) feeder cattle futures continued to rally on Wednesday, as corn futures fell sharply and traders hoped that feed costs will continue to remain under pressure. The burgeoning U.S.-Mexico trade fight pressured Chicago Board of Trade corn futures, despite a Reuters report that corn has been excluded from […] Read more
Environmental stewardship award nominations open
Nominations open until July 15
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers is seeking nominations for its 2020 Environmental Stewardship Award. The award recognizes cattle producers whose practices contribute to the environment and enhance productivity and profitability. “We are asking producers to take this opportunity to share the unique environmental practices employed on their operation and to present the positive story about cattle producers’ […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hogs dip from two-week high, await trade news
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. lean hog futures retreated on Wednesday after four straight sessions of gains in a technical and profit-taking setback from two-week highs as investors awaited new developments in U.S.-China trade negotiations. Cattle futures also fell broadly, although worries about a late-winter snowstorm forecast for the beef cattle-producing U.S. Plains underpinned the […] Read more
The updated bison code of care has a wealth of information
Beef 911: Although written specifically for bison, the code also has good tips for beef producers
Reading Time: 4 minutes In 2017, new codes of practice came out for bison and veal cattle, following revisions to the codes for dairy cattle in 2009 and the beef, sheep, and equine sectors in 2013. Other codes have also been released or are in progress. The format has multiple chapters (with numerous appendices at the end) and each […] Read more
Get the lowdown on new livestock drug rules
Reading Time: < 1 minute As of Dec. 1, you will need a prescription to purchase virtually any antibiotic on your farm. How will that affect your operation? A Beef Cattle Research Council webinar on Nov. 14 will explain what the regulations mean when it comes to working with your veterinarian and purchasing medicated feed. If you listen to the […] Read more