
Beef cattle

Klassen: Feeder market continues the climb
Statistics show tightening supplies in Canada, U.S.
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets yearling markets traded $2-$5 higher. Replacements in the 700- to 800-lb. weight category appeared to jump $5 to as much as $15 in some cases. Calves weighing 500-700 lbs. were unchanged to $4 higher on average after rallying nearly $20 over the past month. There were limited […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle climb to another contract high
April live cattle lower, lean hogs up
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange feeder cattle futures reached a contract high for a second consecutive session on Tuesday, while live cattle futures retreated from a contract high set a day earlier, brokers said. Reduced U.S. herd sizes due to drought have propelled futures higher recently, though some brokers said supply concerns have […] Read more

Meat lobby says U.S. voluntary label rule could spur trade action
Ottawa to review Washington's proposed 'Product of USA' rule
U.S. meat industry lobbyists say Washington’s proposed new rules governing voluntary ‘Product of USA’ or ‘Made in the USA’ labels would “impose the same standard” as that country’s now-defunct mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) law — and frustrate U.S. packers who import Canadian meat or livestock. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and its Food Safety and […] Read more

New Cattle Young Leaders, new chair for Sask. Cattlemen’s Association
NewsMakers from the March 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Raelynn Blumhagen was born and raised in Jaffray, B.C., where her family has been running a cow-calf operation for five generations. Blumhagen briefly left the ranch to attend college, majoring in business finance. She now lives on the ranch with her husband Dale and her two daughters, working alongside her parents […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle set contract high on tightening supplies
Chicago live cattle also up, lean hogs down
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange feeder cattle futures jumped to a new contract high on Monday on firm cash prices and increasing concerns about reduced U.S. herd numbers, analysts said. Traders focused on tighter cattle supplies as demand from meatpackers for livestock to slaughter remained strong. Ranchers have reduced herd sizes due to […] Read more

Cow body condition and animal performance
How much fat a cow is carrying through the winter affects everything from her ability to maintain her body temperature to the development of her unborn calf
Nutrients provided in the ration influence animal performance. Animals will either lose, maintain, or gain weight. The nutrition program not only affects the cow but also the unborn calf. Visual evaluation of animal condition can be misleading, especially with a winter haircoat. A more objective, hands-on method to evaluate how the cows are managing is […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs rally on strong outside markets
Weather forecast also supportive
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog and cattle futures rose sharply on Friday, as gains in outside markets bolstered optimism about the economy and consumer demand for beef and pork, traders said. Concerns that a late winter storm forecast for the U.S. Midwest this weekend could disrupt supply chains added support to livestock […] Read more

Thin cows cost money
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
Any discussion about getting ready for calving season should start with an evaluation of the body condition of pregnant cows and heifers. There are also significant economic factors to consider. Several issues recently shifted priorities away from routine body condition scoring, such as beef supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 and sudden swings in cattle. […] Read more

Several countries ban Brazilian beef as BSE probe goes on
Russia among those halting imports
Sao Paulo | Reuters — The Brazilian agriculture ministry said on Thursday that Thailand, Iran and Jordan have temporarily suspended imports of beef from Brazil while authorities investigate a case of BSE in an animal from Para state, according to a statement sent to Reuters. The ministry also confirmed that Russia has halted imports from […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs ease on weak exports
Boxed beef prices seen firm
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle and hog futures fell on Thursday, with signs of weakening export demand for beef and pork pressuring prices. Traders also said the cattle market was still ripe for profit taking even after falling on Wednesday. The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Thursday morning export sales of beef […] Read more