

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs limit down on USDA report
Chicago cattle also end lower
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures tumbled by the daily trading limit on Friday under pressure from stronger-than-expected productivity in U.S. herds, analysts said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a quarterly report issued after trading ended on Thursday, surprised analysts by reporting the average pigs saved per litter reached 11.61 […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs to face bigger-than-expected herd
CME cattle futures turn higher
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures rose to a one-week high on Thursday but face pressure from a U.S. government report that showed a larger-than-expected domestic herd, analysts said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a quarterly report issued after trading ended, said the inventory of all hogs and pigs on […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle slump to lowest in over a month
December live cattle down, hogs up
Chicago | Reuters — Feeder cattle futures slid to their lowest level in more than a month at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Wednesday, while live cattle futures neared a two-week low. Fund liquidation and technical selling pushed down prices, brokers said. Some market participants booked profits before the end of the month and quarter, […] Read more

Auction marts face changing industry
As the national cow herd shrinks, demographics shift and technology disrupts marketing, auction marts are figuring out how to adapt
As the national cow herd shrinks, demographics shift and technology disrupts marketing, auction marts are figuring out how to adapt
Western tradition is on display at the auction mart conference in Olds, Alta. People in cowboy hats and boots fill the conference room at the hotel. And the residents of Olds are very familiar with Western culture — even some of the town’s “welcome” signs depict bull riding. But as important as those traditions are, […] Read more
Klassen: Lower beef production forecasts support feeder complex
Major feedlots seen aggressive on quality calves
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Calf markets were steady to $5 higher on average, with stronger buying interest on preconditioned weaned steer calves. Light calves weighing under 500 lbs. appeared to jump $10-$20 in certain regions. This past week, focus of finishing feedlots switched from […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle dip to three-week low
Live cattle also drop, hogs mixed ahead of USDA report
Chicago | Reuters — Chart-based and fund selling dragged Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures to their lowest level in more than a week on Tuesday while feeder cattle hit a three-week low, traders said. Most-active lean hog futures also came under pressure. Steep losses on Wall Street set a negative tone for cattle futures, […] Read more

M. bovis, repeat offender
Police describe the suspect as being in his twenties with shaggy brown hair, wearing a black hoodie, white sneakers, blue jeans and a green backpack. He is known to associate with members of a criminal gang. If that was me, I’d be quick to cut my hair short, dye it gray, grow a distracting moustache […] Read more

Vet Advice: Vibriosis
Vibriosis is an important venereal disease of cattle caused by the organism Campylobacter fetus. Some refer to the disease as campylobacteriosis. In sheep, it may be referred to as enzootic abortion, not associated with venereal transmission as much as ingestion of contaminated water and feed. Typically, the disease causes female infertility, with an increased number […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle slip, but stay near recent highs
December hogs up off three-week low
Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange eased on Monday as the market pulled back slightly from life-of-contract highs set last week. The markets remain near their peaks as tight U.S. cattle supplies continue to fuel supply concerns. CME October live cattle futures settled 0.1 cent down at 186.975 cents/lb., […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME cattle up on bargain-buying, tight supplies
Hogs down in profit-taking
Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed higher on Friday on tight U.S. cattle supplies and bargain-buying a day after the benchmark December contract hit a one-week low, traders said. CME October live cattle futures settled up 2.1 cents at 187.075 cents/lb. and most-active December ended up 1.85 cents […] Read more