CME August 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle mixed as traders await USDA data

Lean hog futures turn lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures ended mixed on Thursday as traders awaited U.S. Department of Agriculture data on the number of cattle in feedlots. USDA’s Cattle on Feed report, due Friday at 2 p.m. CT, is expected to show U.S. feedlots held 1.3 per cent more on May 1, compared […] Read more

Vaccination is far less costly than even a few more open cows or a few more abortions, and much less costly than a reproductive disaster.

Vaccines are cheap insurance — don’t let your premiums lapse

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

After last summer’s pasture conditions and last winter’s feed costs, it’s safe to say that many cow-calf producers are facing the upcoming grazing season with some anxiety. Some are looking for new grazing arrangements, opportunities to trim input costs or both. No single solution can solve every challenge for every operation, but nearly all decisions […] Read more


Manitoba to host Canadian Simmental Association events

Manitoba to host Canadian Simmental Association events

Purely Purebred, news from the May 2022 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Be sure to register to attend the Canadian Simmental Association’s AGM and Convention and Young Canadian Simmental Association National Show being held July 22 – 24, 2022, at Portage la Prairie, Man. Manitoba Simmental breeders have been working hard over the last few years to get ready for a first-class event and finally this year […] Read more

CME August 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle fall with equities

Concerns remain over U.S. consumer demand

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle and feeder cattle futures dropped on Wednesday as traders reduced risk amid steep losses in the stock market, analysts said. Lean hog futures strengthened at the CME. Cattle futures are more sensitive than hogs to falling stock prices, said Dan Norcini, an independent livestock trader. Wall […] Read more


Drought will be the principal determinant of the general cattle industry in 2022.

Drought remains a huge factor for ranchers

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay

Drought in many parts of the country, as well as higher operating costs for ranchers, took a bigger than expected bite out of the U.S. cattle herd in 2021. Both factors will continue to play a key role in the fortunes of the U.S. industry. Herd numbers declined by 1.89 million head in 2021 and […] Read more



CME July 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, brown and dark red lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs extend recovery from recent slide

Live cattle, feeder cattle lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rose for a third consecutive session on Tuesday as the market continued to recover from oversold conditions, traders said. Live cattle and feeder cattle futures ended lower. Short-covering helped propel hog futures higher following recent declines, said Matt Wiegand, commodity broker for FuturesOne. The market […] Read more

“Our podcasts are designed to target the consumer. We are not defending the Canadian cattle and meat industry, but we want to present a balanced approach for the consumer to make informed decisions.” – Dr. Kim Stanford, University of Lethbridge.

Cows on the Planet aims to inform public about beef production

News Roundup from the May 2022 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Cows on the Planet is a new podcast series designed to present balanced, science-based information on beef production, environmental issues and related topics to consumers. Dr. Kim Stanford, University of Lethbridge livestock pathogen researcher; Dr. Tim McAllister, one of Agriculture Canada’s leading ruminant nutritionists and microbiologists at Lethbridge; and David Hill, University of Lethbridge, have […] Read more


CME August 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle futures bounce from losses

Chicago lean hogs also rebound; August feeder cattle lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures ended higher on Monday in a rebound from recent losses, while feeder cattle futures stumbled under pressure from rising costs for grains used for livestock feed. Live cattle were technically oversold and due for a bounce, brokers said. Futures were also due to rally because […] Read more

“Lupine” calves may be born with crooked limbs, caused by the dam’s ingestion of lupines at a criti- cal stage of gestation.

Lupines and crooked calves

If you’ve seen birth defects such as fused joints, crooked legs or cleft palates in your newborn calves, toxic plants could be the culprits

Lupine calves” or “crooked calves” are an example of what can happen when various plant toxins are ingested by a pregnant cow at a certain stage of pregnancy. Lupines, also known as bluebonnets, are legumes. As legumes, they can enrich nitrogen-poor soil. In Canada, at least 28 species have been recognized, mostly in Western Canada. […] Read more