(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices digesting uncertainty

Defensive tone likely through January

The feeder cattle market was very quiet during the last week of December with auction barns in holiday mode. There were discussions regarding direct sales but no actual business was confirmed. The stakes are too high given the market uncertainty; a defensive tone will likely continue throughout January. Feed grains continue to percolate higher; the […] Read more

CME February 2021 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle sag as Wall Street retreats, grain prices rise

Wholesale ham prices supportive for hogs

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures fell more than two per cent on Monday, pressured by ample beef supplies and fund-driven selling as Wall Street equities declined, analysts said. Feeder cattle futures fell even harder, dropping by three per cent as U.S. corn futures rose to almost $5 a bushel for the first […] Read more


McMillin: Fed-cattle prices stubborn to move

McMillin: Fed-cattle prices stubborn to move

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

Fed cattle December is typically a strong month for fed cattle prices and while prices have started moving higher, the rate of increase has been disappointing. Recent foodservice restrictions, cancelled holiday parties, uncertainty around jobs and income all have an impact on beef movement. However, more people working from home and limited restaurant spending has […] Read more

Animals play a role in the emergence and dynamics of infectious disease.

Infectious disease: Transmissibility and herd immunity

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

In November 2019, the world changed. A cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China — the cause eventually identified as a novel coronavirus labelled COVID-19 — turned the world on its ear. While a novel coronavirus trammeled the world, humans stood in awe wondering what might happen. COVID-19 sickened 46.2 million people (as of November […] Read more


Brooking Dusty’s Countess 9026.

Lloydminster Stockade Roundup results

Purely Purebred with Mike Millar: News from the December 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

In what could be called the understatement of 2020, it’s been quite a year. It was nice to see a cattle show take place in Canada. The Stockade Roundup was held November 3 to 7 in Lloydminster, Sask. Exhibitors were happy to get out and showcase their breeding programs and visit with friends and customers […] Read more

In addition to ensuring the right “feeding situation,” there are several other important considerations when using urea as a protein source.

Revisiting the use of urea as a protein supplement

Nutrition with John McKinnon

Many of you will have noticed that calf prices have been under pressure this fall in part due to higher than expected feed prices. Both feed grains and many traditional protein sources (i.e. distillers grains, pulse screenings, commercial supplements) are trading at prices higher than a year ago. In the face of higher protein prices, […] Read more


Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Lighter calves end year on positive tone

Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $2 lower to $3 higher depending on the region. Many auction markets were in holiday mode last week and thinner volumes made the market harder to define. Generally speaking, the market was supported by stronger deferred live cattle futures and a slightly weaker Canadian dollar; […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures hit six-week high; hog futures ease after rally

Chicago | Reuters – U.S. cattle futures rose for the sixth time in seven sessions on Thursday, hitting a six-week high on signs of strength in the cash market, traders said. Hog futures eased after four straight days of gains pushed the front-month contract to its highest in nearly two months on Wednesday. Volumes were […] Read more


Photo: File

U.S. livestock: Hog futures rise to highest since late October; cattle firms

Chicago | Reuters – U.S. hog futures rose to their highest in nearly two months on Wednesday, supported by a round of technical buying and tight pork supplies. After the market closed on Tuesday, the U.S. government released a report that showed that domestic frozen pork belly stocks as of Nov. 30 stood at 23.111 […] Read more