

Electronic logs in trucking industry raise concerns for fall cattle run
A shortage of drivers combined with regulations around rest times could add up to complications for truckers and auction marts this fall
Truck drivers have always travelled for long hours — especially when hauling livestock over the prairie or into the boreal forest of northern Ontario to their destination. Such trips illustrate the tricky balance between ensuring drivers get enough rest, yet complete the trip as quickly as possible for the sake of the animals they’re hauling. […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market consolidates
USDA report considered supportive for Q4 fed cattle
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2-$3/cwt on either side of unchanged. The steam appears to be coming off the market as larger volumes become available. Pastures have basically dried up in many areas of Western Canada, which has spurred on producer selling. The calf market was hard to define due to […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs down on technical selling
Cattle futures also lower
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures dropped to their lowest level in six weeks on Monday on technical selling and ample U.S. supplies, brokers said. The market has pulled back after rising on Aug. 1 to its highest price since March. “Hogs are doing what they do — trying to find […] Read more

Respiratory diseases in cattle, including AIP, pique veterinarian’s curiosity
Dr. Emily Snyder’s curiosity over the years has led her to a place where improving the health of beef cattle is of utmost importance
“My big motivation is my own curiosity. I’m interested in knowing why animals get sick and what’s the cause of it,” said Snyder (DVM, PhD), an assistant professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Snyder, who is from Iowa, didn’t grow up around […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures fall as packers’ profit margins in red
Lean hog futures show gains
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures fell on Friday, as cash cattle prices eased and packers continued to hemorrhage profits and remained reluctant to pay more for animals, analysts and traders said. Meanwhile, lean hog futures firmed as profit margins improved for pork processors. Limited cattle supplies kept a floor under the […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME cattle firm, hogs mixed
Cattle supply outlook overrides demand concerns
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures firmed on Thursday, buoyed by a round of technical support as the market remained near last week’s highs. Feeder cattle contracts also posted gains, while lean hog futures were mixed Traders said that tight supplies underpinned cattle futures prices despite demand concerns. CME August live […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle up on U.S. supply worries
CME lean hog futures sag
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures strengthened on Wednesday as tight U.S. supplies continued to support the market, analysts said. Feeder cattle futures also advanced, while lean hog futures declined. The live cattle market is largely trading sideways in the most-active contract this week after finishing with strong gains on Friday, […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME cattle steady to weak
Hogs mixed with demand in focus
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures were steady to weak, while hog futures were mixed on Tuesday, with the market pressured by demand concerns as the end of grilling season nears, traders said. August live cattle futures ended unchanged at 179.7 cents/lb. (all figures US$). Most-active October live cattle fell 0.525 cent, […] Read more

Feeder cattle market functions to encourage expansion
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
In the September 6, 2022 issue of Canadian Cattlemen, I wrote an article stating that fed cattle numbers were expected to be extremely tight in the first half of 2023. I included a chart projecting that the feeder cattle futures would reach historical highs in October and November of 2023. Over the past couple of […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs decline; cattle inches higher
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell on Thursday, pressured by declining demand and expectations of greater supplies of market-ready hogs heading into the fall, analysts said. “You had a cutout that took a big step back yesterday. You had export numbers that weren’t especially supportive this morning, and the fact […] Read more