Planning for herd health

Planning for herd health

Identifying the key elements of a herd health protocol using the VBP+ sample record template

A herd health protocol is a document that outlines a producer’s plan for annual vaccinations and procedures, as well as treatments for common on-farm diseases. Created with a veterinarian, this plan includes timing of procedures, necessary supplies and identification of the cattle involved. While it is always a producer’s goal to avoid needing to treat […] Read more

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

Klassen: Feeder market showing strength in deferred positions

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $3-$5 lower on average while calves traded steady to $4 lower. Outside central Alberta, the steer-heifer spread appeared to widen by $2-$4. Strength in corn futures contributed to the defensive tone. Feedlot operators buying hand-to-mouth have been caught off guard with the recent jump in feed […] Read more


CME June 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20- and 50-day moving averages (pink and dark red lines) and CME’s cash lean hog index (blue line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs climb on firm cash

Cattle futures end lower

Chicago | Reuters — Benchmark June lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange rose on Monday, setting a life-of-contract high on firm cash hog prices and expectations of tightening supplies. CME June hogs settled up 0.2 cent at 126.05 cents/lb., paring gains after reaching a contract top of 126.875 cents (all figures US$). The […] Read more

CME June 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hogs set new contract highs with supplies in focus

USDA shows more cattle on feed

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures rallied on Friday, with most contracts setting new highs as strong prices for pork and concerns about supplies underpinned the market. Most-active June lean hog futures jumped 3.775 cents to finish at 125.85 cents/lb., closing above the high end of its 20-day Bollinger range after facing […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: Hog futures ease after hitting contract highs

Chicago cattle futures firm

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures were mostly lower on Thursday as traders locked in profits after many contracts rallied to fresh highs on Wednesday. Weak exports of pork added pressure to the hog market. Most-active June lean hog futures eased 0.9 cent to finish at 122.075 cents/lb. (all figures US$). The […] Read more

Your calving records can help identify cows that are less likely to rebreed this summer, or that might fail to calve successfully next year.

Calving records will be especially valuable in 2022

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

Last month’s column profiled a beef cow productivity study that coincided with the massive 2001-02 drought that had an impact on most of Western Canada. That study got less attention than it deserved, because Canada’s entire beef industry became preoccupied with BSE in 2003. But research is an investment, and the lessons learned from research […] Read more


AUDIO: Beware of the ear tag hoarders

AUDIO: Beware of the ear tag hoarders

If you thought toilet paper was a strange thing to hoard during these uncertain times, how about ear tags? Supply shortages are affecting the availability of identification ear tags cattle producers need for commercial cattle production and marketing in Canada. The problem isn’t that there are none to be had, just that suppliers are having […] Read more

CME June 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs rally on pork price, cash market strength

Cattle futures also up on day

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures rallied on Wednesday, with the most-active June contract jumping 2.4 per cent and hitting an all-time high, supported by rising pork prices and strength in the cash market. CME April lean hog futures rose 2.3 cents to end at 102.55 cents/lb. (all figures US$). Most-active June […] Read more



CME June 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 10-, 20- and 50-day moving averages (pink, brown and dark red lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME hog futures mixed

CBOT cattle futures weak

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures were mixed on Tuesday, with deferred contracts firming on expectations that supplies will remain tight until the summer, traders said. The front-month hog contract eased on follow-through selling after hitting technical resistance and closing well below its peak on Monday. Cattle futures also were weaker, pressured […] Read more