The tremors continue to be felt across Canadian agriculture following U.S. president Donald Trump's earthquake announcement on Tuesday, that was certainly the case at the Alberta Beef Industry Conference in Calgary.

Value swings immense on cattle with imposed tariffs by U.S.
Analyst urges beef producers to stay in constant communication with evolving tariff landscape

Analysts believe American tariffs are inevitable
Cattle producers less vulnerable for now than feeders, hog producers analysts say
Canada’s livestock sectors have been anxious about the prospect of tariffs since Donald Trump won the American election in November. Dennis Laycraft, executive vice-president at the Canadian Cattle Association, said without knowing exactly what is coming, the organization could analyze the threatened tariffs only so much.

China investigates beef imports as oversupply squeezes prices
China will launch an investigation into beef imports, the commerce ministry said on Friday, as the world's biggest meat importer and consumer grapples with an oversupplied market that has sent domestic prices to multi-year lows.

Argentine beef exports hit highest level in more than five decades
Argentina's beef exports during the first nine months of this year rose to their highest level in 57 years, as shipments of one of the South American country's best-known food staples grew among buyers in the United States and neighboring Chile.

JBS says China blocks beef from US plant over detection of ractopamine
Processor JBS said on Wednesday that Beijing blocked U.S. beef shipments from the company's plant in Greeley, Colorado, because traces of the feed additive ractopamine were identified in beef destined for China.

U.S. finalizes higher standard for ‘Product of USA’ meat label
Canadian meat sector concerned labeling could have chilling effect on exports to U.S.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday finalized a rule requiring meat, poultry, or eggs labeled as a U.S. product to come from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the country.

Canadian cattle herd reaches lowest level since 1989
Cattle weights supporting decline in production
On January 1, Canadian farmers held 11.1 million cattle and calves on farms, down 2.1 per cent from a year prior, StatCan said in livestock estimates released today. It's the smallest cattle herd since January 1, 1989.

Total US cattle herd drops to lowest level since 1951 – USDA
Easing dryness could encourage ranchers to begin rebuilding beef herds
Chicago | Reuters - The total number of U.S. cattle fell to its lowest level since 1951 as of Jan. 1, in the herd's fifth consecutive year of decline, U.S. Department of Agriculture data showed on Wednesday.

CCA disappointed, not surprised by breakdown in trade talks
Yesterday, federal officials said bilateral negotiations with the UK had been paused amid unhappiness on both sides
The Canadian Cattle Association says it's disappointed but not surprised by the UK's decision to pause talks on its free trade deal with Canada.
“CCA has been following the bilateral negotiations closely and has been concerned at the lack of ambition and cooperation from the UK in these negotiations," said Nathan Phinney, the CCA's president, in a news release late yesterday.

Taiwan formally opens to OTM Canadian beef
BSE-era restriction now lifted
Taiwan has officially lifted its import ban on Canadian beef and beef products from animals over 30 months of age (OTMs). Canada’s Trade Minister Mary Ng and Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the move Friday, saying Taiwan’s decision “will offer an opportunity to expand Canadian beef exports to Taiwan and diversify export markets in the […] Read more