CME live cattle LEJ24 on Jan. 29 with Bollinger bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures ease on profit-taking after 2-1/2-month peak

Lean hog futures ended modestly higher; firm cash hog prices lent support

CME April live cattle futures LCJ24 settled down 0.450 cent at 181.225 cents per pound, retreating after rising to 183.450 cents, the contract's highest point since Nov. 7. Last week's firm cash cattle prices and technical buying underpinned the market, traders said.


Fed cattle prices will likely continue to struggle through the first quarter of 2024.

Wholesale price drop pressures fed cattle prices

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the February 2024 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Fed cattle A drop in wholesale prices — in particular the choice cutout value — has in part pressured fed cattle prices lower. Beef demand concerns were evident as we started the new year as retail beef prices are high and cost of living for consumers continues to increase. Since the start of 2024, the […] Read more



(HLS.ca/virden)

Auction mart report for the week of January 26, 2024

Regional market analysis from Manitoba, courtesy of the Livestock Markets Association of Canada members.

Western Manitoba, courtesy of Heartland Livestock Services Virden saw 2,480 cattle through the ring this week. The majority (90 per cent) were feeders, but about seven per cent were fresh calves and three per cent butcher cattle. Forty per cent of the cattle went to southern Alberta, and 20 per cent each to the East, […] Read more

“Most fractures we see in young calves are not open wounds or compound fractures, so there’s no infection. But if we don’t do a good job of protecting a broken limb and it becomes open, the chances for survival plummet quickly.” – Dr. Andy Acton.

Limb injury in newborn calves

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

Calving time is just down the road and questions dealing with limb injuries in newborn calves are about to become daily entries in large animal clinics serving beef herds. Next, are dairy calves with crippling limb injuries throughout the year. Many require veterinary care.  Limb injuries fall into the following areas: Most veterinarians agree that […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

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.

Market Intelligence Report from Canada Beef: Retail beef prices soften as inflation slows

Market Intelligence Report from Canada Beef: Retail beef prices soften as inflation slows

Macroeconomic indicators continue to signal that previous interest rate increases have been effective. Canada narrowly missed going into a recession in the third quarter, unemployment moved slightly higher and inflation is slowing. In contrast, U.S. data indicates an economy on fire. Retail beef prices moved seasonally lower last year, declining 12 per cent month-over-month to […] Read more