Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange nearby lean hog futures ended higher on Thursday, as wholesale pork prices rose, cash hog prices firmed and traders awaited quarterly hog data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Benchmark August hogs settled up 1.225 cents at 92.325 cents/lb. after reaching 93 cents, right at the contract’s […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME nearby hog futures up ahead of herd data
Cattle up on bullish fundamentals
Have a plan to make the most of your forage
Start the grazing season with a plan and you’ll lower cost of production over time
Reading Time: 2 minutes Developing a grazing plan is an important first step to ensure effective grazing management on an operation, and it can help save a producer on cost of production in the long run. A grazing plan that matches animal numbers to predicted forage yields should be made before animal turn out. Several key steps should be […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle climb on firm cash markets
Chicago lean hogs end mixed
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle closed higher for a second session on Wednesday, lifted by strength in the cash market tied to tightening U.S. cattle supplies, traders said, while tumbling corn prices lifted feeder cattle futures. CME August live cattle futures settled up 1.375 cents at 173.875 cents/lb. (all figures US$). […] Read more
Oat miller to steer clear of lambda-cy
Grain Millers bans oats treated with insecticide product
The federal government’s decision to ban the use of lambda-cyhalothrin insecticides on any crops destined for feed use has now led at least one Canadian miller to prohibit any deliveries of oats treated with the chemical. Oregon-based processor Grain Millers, whose Canadian operations include its oat mill at Yorkton, Sask., said in a memo Tuesday […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle end higher, lean hogs mixed
Wholesale beef prices seen softening
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose on Tuesday, rallying after a two-session slide as corn prices dropped and feeder cattle surged, but softening wholesale beef prices hung over the market, traders said. Benchmark CME August live cattle futures settled up 1.9 cents, at 172.5 cents/lb. (all figures US$). October futures […] Read more
Can Canada see beef herd expansion in 2023?
Reading Time: < 1 minute The short answer to cattle herd expansion is that it depends if there’s any money in it, says Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. “Any expansion will be dependent on this year’s weather, feed costs and conditions in the second half of 2023,” says Ann Boyda, provincial livestock market analyst with the Alberta government. “Expansion is dependent […] Read more
Watch out for blue-green algae where livestock drink
“Blue-green algae can look like blue-green scum, pea soup or grass clippings suspended in the water. You should start watching for it when the temperatures rise above 25 C.”
Reading Time: 3 minutes In over three decades as a veterinarian, Roy Lewis never saw a cow die from ingesting blue-green algae from an infected water source. But he still says it’s an issue ranchers should watch for. Blue-green algae can be instantly deadly to an animal that ingests a sufficient amount. However, it’s tricky to identify as the […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle weak on large May placements
Slowing beef demand also a factor
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures ended flat to lower on Monday on larger-than-expected feedlot placements in May and expectations for slower demand for beef for outdoor grilling following the U.S. Independence Day holiday. Sharply higher feed corn prices early in Monday’s trading session weighed on the live and feeder cattle […] Read more
How to manage a pasture after a fire
What to do after a fire burns through? Treat it like it’s been heavily grazed, experts say
Reading Time: 3 minutes Many pastures have been damaged by this year’s fires. But how long does it take a pasture to recover? What can be done for a burned pasture? “Fire is not new to most grasses and other pasture forage species,” said Barry Irving, former manager of the Roy G. Berg Kinsella ranch. In that role, Irving […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle rally as corn prices sag
Live cattle, lean hogs down
Chicago | Reuters — CME Group feeder cattle contracts rallied on Friday, their second day of gains, as weakening corn prices cut into feed costs and boosted profit margins at packers. Hog futures were weaker on follow-through selling after Thursday’s sharp decline. The August CME feeder cattle contract gained 3.275 cents, to 233.95 cents/lb., rising […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
