
Cow-calf

U.S. livestock: Live cattle gain as slaughter rates, beef exports rise
October lean hogs up three-quarters of a cent
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures continued to rally Thursday, holding to a nearly six-month peak in prices, as exports to China also grew, traders said. China was a big buyer of U.S. beef in the latest week, with sales of 1,927 tonnes for the period through Aug. 6, the most […] Read more

A deeper look into A&W’s grass-fed Canadian beef initiative
A&W’s announcement to source 100 per cent Canadian grass-fed beef drew criticism from some while providing a new marketing opportunity for many Canadian producers
In challenging economic times, it can pay to diversify your business model. For Ross Macdonald of 98 Ranch, this was a strong case for marketing cattle into grass-finishing supply chains. Building resiliency into your business, especially when traditional markets have been challenged, is what Macdonald sees as “probably the least discussed and least understood opportunity” […] Read more

Bovine TB probe wraps with no exact point of entry found
'More stringent' tests now being run on U.S. rodeo cattle imports
Federal inspectors have formally closed the book on a 2018 outbreak of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in a British Columbia cattle herd, but with “no definitive source of infection” found. The probe dates back to October that year, when a beef cow of an unknown age, from a cow-calf operation in B.C.’s southern Interior, was culled, […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Live cattle set five-month high, beef prices rise more
USDA cuts pork production forecast
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures leapt to a five-month high on Wednesday and feeder cattle futures neared a six-month peak as boxed beef prices continued to rise. Meatpackers are paying more for cattle due to the strength of the beef market, traders said. Prices typically rise heading into Labour Day, […] Read more

CCA Reports: CCA focuses on COVID-19 recovery, trade and public engagement
From the August 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Since mid-May, we have seen provinces move to slowly reopen their economies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the impacts of COVID-19 on the beef industry and the greater Canadian economy will not be short-term, we are optimistic that the agriculture sector can assist in Canada’s post-COVID-19 recovery. In recent weeks, processing capacity has […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rise with U.S. beef prices
Chicago lean hogs retreat
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures advanced on Tuesday, supported by increasing beef prices, traders said. Beef prices usually rise heading into Labour Day, and there is a feeling the market has bottomed after recent volatility, said Don Roose, president of Iowa-based broker U.S. Commodities. Prices for choice cuts of boxed […] Read more

Klassen: Weaker feed grains drive feeder market higher
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded $2-$4 higher. This was the first week of the fall yearling run with larger groups of quality packages and there was no shortage of buying enthusiasm. Heavier yearlings were readily trading at 52-week highs. Feed barley prices collapsed in southern Alberta as the harvest started in the […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Live cattle up on cash market strength
Lean hog weights 'coming down a little bit'
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures gained on Monday, as the cash market strengthened and packers looked to pickup slaughter rates, brokers said. Feeder cattle also gained, while lean hog futures added as producers looked to offload market-weight animals early to reduce feed costs. CME October live cattle added 0.7 cent […] Read more
Cattlemen’s Young Leaders and Environmental Stewardship Award winners
NewsMakers from the August 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Growing up on a cow-calf operation near Innisfree, Alta., Dr. Lacey Tillotson’s love for animals inspired her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She studied animal science at the University of Alberta, and completed a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 2012 from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Since graduating, she’s […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hog futures rise on good cash market demand
October live cattle close lower
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures rose on Friday on signs of strength in the cash market after prices had stagnated, traders said. “Recent price weakness uncovered fresh demand, triggering buying on the board this morning that tripped buy stops, accelerating gains,” StoneX chief commodities economist Arlan Suderman wrote in a note […] Read more