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


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Lower beef production forecasts support feeder complex

Major feedlots seen aggressive on quality calves

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Calf markets were steady to $5 higher on average, with stronger buying interest on preconditioned weaned steer calves. Light calves weighing under 500 lbs. appeared to jump $10-$20 in certain regions. This past week, focus of finishing feedlots switched from […] Read more

CME October 2023 feeder cattle with 20- and 50-day moving averages and most-active November 2023 feeder cattle (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle dip to three-week low

Live cattle also drop, hogs mixed ahead of USDA report

Chicago | Reuters — Chart-based and fund selling dragged Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures to their lowest level in more than a week on Tuesday while feeder cattle hit a three-week low, traders said. Most-active lean hog futures also came under pressure. Steep losses on Wall Street set a negative tone for cattle futures, […] Read more


Producers vaccinating calves before weaning.

M. bovis, repeat offender

Police describe the suspect as being in his twenties with shaggy brown hair, wearing a black hoodie, white sneakers, blue jeans and a green backpack. He is known to associate with members of a criminal gang. If that was me, I’d be quick to cut my hair short, dye it gray, grow a distracting moustache […] Read more

Vet Advice: Vibriosis

Vet Advice: Vibriosis

Vibriosis is an important venereal disease of cattle caused by the organism Campylobacter fetus. Some refer to the disease as campylobacteriosis. In sheep, it may be referred to as enzootic abortion, not associated with venereal transmission as much as ingestion of contaminated water and feed. Typically, the disease causes female infertility, with an increased number […] Read more


CME December 2023 live cattle with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle slip, but stay near recent highs

December hogs up off three-week low

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange eased on Monday as the market pulled back slightly from life-of-contract highs set last week. The markets remain near their peaks as tight U.S. cattle supplies continue to fuel supply concerns. CME October live cattle futures settled 0.1 cent down at 186.975 cents/lb., […] Read more

(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Funding set to improve Ontario deadstock removal, disposal

Application intake open as of Sept. 21

Ontario’s livestock producers could see more and improved options for pickup and sustainable disposal of deadstock through a new federal/provincial program now on offer. The Ontario and federal governments on Thursday opened the intake for applications under what they’re calling the Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative, budgeted for $1.5 million over two years. The program, to […] Read more