CME December 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, brown and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle falls as cash market idles

Lower cash, pork prices drag on lean hogs

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell, pressured by a stagnant cash market and processing backups, traders said. CME December live cattle futures settled down 1.225 cents at 128.325 cents/lb. January feeder cattle futures eased 2.675 cents to end at 157.325 cents/lb. For the week, live cattle futures lost 2.35 cents, […] Read more

Boxed beef exports are up 25 per cent from this time one year ago.

Boxed beef exports strong, non-fed cattle prices down sharply

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the November 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Fed cattle Fed cattle prices are trading mostly sideways. As of mid-October, the fed steer cash average in Alberta had ranged from $156/ cwt to $158/cwt over the past seven weeks. The mid-October average is $156.81/cwt. Basis is still at a premium, with the spot basis at +$2.90/cwt, compared to a five-year average of -$1.84/cwt. […] Read more


The extreme heat cattle endured this past summer from soaring temperatures was a perfect example of potential water stress.

Dealing with livestock stressors

From the Ground Up with Steve Kenyon

A happy cow is a healthy cow. I can’t remember the first time, but I have heard that saying many times over the years. On my ranch, I have found it very beneficial to keep the livestock as stress-free as possible. When we talk about animal stress, most people think about animal handling when processing […] Read more

CME December 2021 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20- and 100-day moving averages (pink and black lines) and CME Lean Hog Index (dark red dotted line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs fall on sluggish export sales

Weaker exports drag on cattle also

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell for a third session on Thursday, pressured by weak export activity, traders said. CME December lean hog futures settled down 2.825 cents at 73.2 cents/lb., its biggest drop since Sept. 10 (all figures US$). CME February hogs ended down 2.55 cents at 76.675 cents/lb. […] Read more


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

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs down on technical selling, export worries

Chicago cattle futures up

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell on Wednesday on technical selling and fears that falling Chinese hog prices point to slowing export demand for U.S. pork, traders said. CME December lean hog futures settled down 1.375 cents at 76.025 cents/lb., after dipping to 75.925 cents and filling a gap on […] Read more

Left to right: Sarah MacDonald, Keely Adams and Beverly Booth.

Canadian Junior Angus awards scholarships

Purely Purebred, news from the September 27, 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Canadian Junior Angus presented three juniors with scholarships totalling $4,500 at Showdown, the association’s annual summer cattle show, in Olds, Alta. Keely Adams of Forestburg, Alta., received the first-place scholarship of $2,000; Beverly Booth of Jolicure, N.B., received the second-place scholarship of $1,500; and Sarah MacDonald of Vanderhoof, B.C., received the third-place scholarship of $1,000.  […] Read more


The preconditioning study includes 250 calves raised at W.A. Ranches and fully preconditioned, along with another 250 purchased, conventionally weaned calves.

Study delves deeper into preconditioning calves

Researchers are exploring disease prevention, economics and performance benefits on feeder calves

Though the practice of preconditioning calves is relatively well known, not everyone agrees on the definition of the term. Confusion over what preconditioning entails may be partly to blame for reports of inconsistent returns on investment, says one researcher. “To me, it’s way more than just optimizing a vaccination protocol,” says Dr. Karin Orsel, veterinary […] Read more

CME December 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle down on technical selling, uncertain demand

Pork export concerns drag on hogs

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures ended lower for a second straight session on Tuesday, retreating from early strength on technical selling and uncertainty about consumer demand for meat, traders said. CME December live cattle futures settled 0.4 cent lower at 130.025 cents/lb., turning down after meeting technical resistance at its […] Read more


Fertility, calving ease, good udders, mothering ability, good feet and legs, robust health and temperament are top traits to look for in cows when trying to build a profitable operation.

Developing the right cattle for profitable ranching

Whether you’re culling cows or selecting bulls, look for the animals that can perform in your environment

For too many years I was like most of you. I thought profitable ranching started with the cattle. Truly profitable ranching starts with the soil, moves through the plants to feed the animals and then finally we manage the animals to provide a good profit. We will talk about soil and plants in later articles, […] Read more

Dried distiller grains are an excellent source of crude protein and intermediate to excellent sources of energy.

Are byproduct feeds the answer to a limited feed supply?

Nutrition with John McKinnon

In my last column, I addressed the use of low-quality roughages in wintering rations. That column was prompted by widespread drought across Western and Central Canada. Recent rains have helped alleviate dry conditions; however, they have not mitigated impending feed shortages. As a result, producers continue to scramble for winter feed, with many looking to […] Read more