MarketsFarm – With a looming feed shortage, it has been getting more costly to feed cattle, said Mike Nernberg, marketing representative for Winnipeg Livestock Sales. Nernberg estimated it has been costing about C$4.00 per day to feed an individual animal, which adds up given the amount a feedlot is feeding and for the length of […] Read more
Cattle feeding getting expensive in Manitoba
Livestock feed webinar series launches on YouTube
Next live webinar on Aug. 1
Reading Time: < 1 minute Producers who aren’t able to catch a new series of webinars on feeding strategy can review them later on YouTube. The nine-part series, which take place every second Thursday at 7:30 p.m., is a joint effort of Alberta Agriculture and applied research and forage associations. The first two webinars were on grazing options for dry […] Read more
Despite current dip, cattle feeders optimistic about what lies ahead
With lots of cattle on increasingly pricey feed, margins are taking a hit, but optimism remains strong
Reading Time: 4 minutes The feedlot industry is experiencing a little dip right now, but the sector continues to chug along nicely. That’s why Doug Price opted to buy Western Feedlots at High River, which has been shuttered since 2016. “It was a fairly good-sized feedlot and we’re just tearing most of it down except the bunks and re-doing […] Read more
Cattle producers, feeders crafting industry plan
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers says it’s working with the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association on a “joint advocacy plan” for the province’s cattle sector that it will be putting forward to the new provincial government. “We will be seeking support for a globally competitive beef industry operating in a strong rural economy to provide sustainable food production, […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley bids soften as attention turns to new crop
MarketsFarm — Feed barley bids in the key cattle feeding area of southern Alberta are coming under some pressure, as attention begins to turn to the new crop. “Demand is dropping off here a little bit,” said Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. Feedlots have extended coverage through the spring and into the […] Read more
Fed steer prices seen improving towards spring
The average Canadian beef cut-out value has strengthened about 10 per cent since the start of the year
Reading Time: 2 minutes A number of factors have been affecting recent fed steer and hay markets. Jason Wood, provincial livestock market analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, has an update. Wood says that the Canfax reported price for Alberta fed, or slaughter, steers averaged just over $151 per cwt for the week ending February 8, 2019. That price […] Read more
Doing the math on a straw-grain ration for pregnant cows
You need to ensure the mothers-to-be are getting what they need
Reading Time: 3 minutes Feeding a straw-grain ration to pregnant cows is a viable option, but you’ve got to do the math. The first step is to test the quality of the feed, but determining what type of supplements or mineral product must also be done, said provincial beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “It is often a point […] Read more
Know what you have for livestock feed and use it strategically
You’ll need higher-quality feed later on, and the last thing you want to do is overfeed
Reading Time: 2 minutes When planning your feeding program, keep the good stuff for later. “Using higher-quality feed early in the season could mean it is not available later in the season when the cows really need it,” said livestock extension specialist Andrea Hanson. “It could get costly for the operation, either by increasing feed costs or reducing cow […] Read more
Lightweight barley works well in cattle feeding program
One study found only a four per cent difference in feed efficiency, but it should be properly processed
Reading Time: 2 minutes Initial reports from this year’s harvest indicate that bushel weight of threshed grains is variable, with barley ranging from 35 to 50 pounds per bushel. “Feedlots and elevators are more than willing to take the heavyweight barley without any hesitation or discounts,” said beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “When barley bushel weights are below […] Read more
Beef checkoff plebiscite coming in fall
Reading Time: < 1 minute A plebiscite on a non-refundable cattle checkoff will be held this fall and the leadership of Alberta Beef Producers is urging its members to get out and vote. Currently, the provincial portion of the checkoff is voluntary and ABP refunds about $2.4 million yearly (mostly to feeders). If the checkoff is made non-refundable, most of […] Read more
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