CME December 2023 lean hogs with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs limit down on USDA report

Chicago cattle also end lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures tumbled by the daily trading limit on Friday under pressure from stronger-than-expected productivity in U.S. herds, analysts said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a quarterly report issued after trading ended on Thursday, surprised analysts by reporting the average pigs saved per litter reached 11.61 […] Read more

Calves in the ring at Perlich Bros. Auction Mart.

Auction mart report for week of Sept. 29, 2023

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

Southern Manitoba | Western Manitoba | Southern Alberta Southern Manitoba, courtesy of Killarney Auction Mart This week,1,215 cattle went through the ring at Killarney Auction Mart: The last week of September often sees the best quality calves of the fall. This is the week when you see Jan./Feb. steer calves start to show up in […] Read more


Battle of the Breed kicks off at Agribition

News Roundup from the September 26, 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The inaugural Battle of the Breed Commercial Choice Jackpot Bull Show, in support of the Brian Good Memorial Scholarship, will be held on November 22 at Agribition with a maximum of 32 entries participating. This head-to-head competition will be judged by a panel of three commercial judges, with bull calves coming from either the show […] Read more



CME December 2023 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs to face bigger-than-expected herd

CME cattle futures turn higher

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rose to a one-week high on Thursday but face pressure from a U.S. government report that showed a larger-than-expected domestic herd, analysts said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a quarterly report issued after trading ended, said the inventory of all hogs and pigs on […] Read more

Canadian Simmental Association members convene

News Roundup from the September 26, 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The 2023 Canadian Simmental Association’s National Convention took place from August 3-5 and was hosted by the Ontario Simmental Association. Participants had the opportunity to tour the Ontario Livestock Exchange Inc., which is the largest auction market in Ontario. They also visited St. Jacobs Market District, Canada’s largest year-round outdoor market, Elora Beef Research Centre, […] Read more


The landscape of the Special Areas varies, with differences in vegetation, moisture and soil type all coming into play across the region.

Ranching in the Special Areas

In this arid part of the Prairies, sustainable production practices mean the difference between kochia and crops

In this arid part of the Prairies, sustainable production practices mean the difference between kochia and crops

In the heart of Palliser’s Triangle, Clay and Jesse Williams are proving the value of using cattle to improve depleted soils. Making a living in this part of the world isn’t easy. Characterized by brown soil zones and often negligible precipitation, the semi-arid steppe reaches from Regina to just east of Calgary. Nestled deep in […] Read more

CME November 2023 feeder cattle with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle slump to lowest in over a month

December live cattle down, hogs up

Chicago | Reuters — Feeder cattle futures slid to their lowest level in more than a month at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Wednesday, while live cattle futures neared a two-week low. Fund liquidation and technical selling pushed down prices, brokers said. Some market participants booked profits before the end of the month and quarter, […] Read more


File photo of autumn colours around Lake Diefenbaker in Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park. (Nancy Anderson/iStock/Getty Images)

Prairie Forecast: Summer tries to hang on

Issued Sept. 27, covering Sept. 27 to Oct. 4

For being this far into fall, the weather models have been surprisingly accurate. Heck, I didn’t even need to send an update for the last issue! Not sure if I can be as optimistic for this forecast period, as we are moving deeper into fall and starting to see the first hints of winter trying […] Read more

Photo: Canadian Cattlemen file

Auction marts face changing industry

As the national cow herd shrinks, demographics shift and technology disrupts marketing, auction marts are figuring out how to adapt

As the national cow herd shrinks, demographics shift and technology disrupts marketing, auction marts are figuring out how to adapt

Western tradition is on display at the auction mart conference in Olds, Alta. People in cowboy hats and boots fill the conference room at the hotel. And the residents of Olds are very familiar with Western culture — even some of the town’s “welcome” signs depict bull riding. But as important as those traditions are, […] Read more