
Cow-calf

U.S. livestock: Hogs drop on large supply, trade war jitters
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. livestock futures dropped on Wednesday, with lean hogs stumbling under pressure from large supplies in a turnaround from a rally a session earlier. Fresh uncertainty over U.S.-China trade relations added pressure to the hog market, analysts said. Traders and meat producers are hoping for further U.S. pork sales to China, […] Read more

Research suggests trace mineral source matters
New research shows that organic trace mineral supplementation has benefits over its inorganic counterparts
When it comes to mineral supplementation for beef females, new research suggests that the source matters. Studies from the University of Florida show that organic trace mineral supplementation for cows has benefits compared to inorganic trace minerals in areas such as increased pregnancy rates, weaning weight and calf immunity. Dr. Matt Hersom is an associate […] Read more

Domestic, export demand supporting fed cattle prices
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the November 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle The western Canadian cash bids have seen week-over-week increases since mid-September. At mid-October, fed prices were nearing $144/cwt. This is $7.57/cwt higher than the low set in August but still $6.38/cwt below the average price the same week last year. Although carcass weights are 10 lbs. heavier than a year ago — at […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs rally on technical buying, rising pork prices
Chicago | Reuters – U.S. lean hog futures rose by as much as 3 percent on Tuesday on technical buying and short-covering, and as hopes for expanded pork exports to China more than offset pressure stemming from ample U.S. hog supplies, traders said. Rising pork prices and strong meatpacker margins gave the market further support […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle market consolidation continues
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged from week-ago levels. Larger pre-sort calf sales were held across the prairies. Buying interest was barely sufficient to support the market at the current levels. The risk tolerance shifted from medium to low this past week. Discounts appeared to be more severe on unweaned and unvaccinated calves. Colder […] Read more

Some thoughts on cattle feeding program design
Nutrition with John McKinnon
In my last column, I discussed some of the issues cattle feeders — particularly those new to feeding — face when starting calves on feed. The basic message was that with feed intake, these animals need to get off to a fast start to minimize issues associated with weaning stress and the various disease challenges […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures firm on strong cash market, rising beef prices
Chicago | Reuters – U.S. live cattle futures firmed on Friday, supported by strong cash feedlot cattle and beef prices and robust packer profit margins. The market posted a modest decline for the week after eight straight weeks of gains, but prices remain near six-month peaks reached after the two-month rally took futures up by […] Read more

Keep syringes and needles clean and working during vaccination
Make sure you protect your vaccine’s effectiveness with a few practical steps
Getting the most out of a vaccine starts with the syringes and needles. Dr. Cody Creelman, a bovine veterinarian in southern Alberta, recently held a free webinar on ways to make cattle vaccines more effective. Part of his webinar covered how to keep needles and syringes clean and working well. Creelman recommends checking and replacing […] Read more

Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees selected
Purely Purebred with Mike Millar: News about you from the October 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
The Keith Gilmore Foundation would like to acknowledge and congratulate the scholarship winners for 2019. The KGF Prize for Beef Innovation went to Matthew Bates. He received a cheque for $10,000. Emma Cross and Will Raymond received the Hereford Youth Scholarship. Each received a cheque of $2,500. Future of the Breed Scholarship $1,000 cheque winners […] Read more

Saskatchewan producers reap benefits of silage crops
After a dry year, these Hanley-area producers are banking on silage to help winter the herd
Moisture levels through spring and summer were plentiful in some areas of Western Canada, but in south-central Saskatchewan, Mother Nature was stingy with the rain when it was needed the most. That put even more emphasis on potential yields and benefits of silage crops for two Hanley-area operations. Perry Dyck is owner and president of […] Read more