Vehicles are shown wrecked along the Highway 401/402 corridor near London, Ont. on Dec. 23, 2022. (Ontario Provincial Police photo via Twitter)

Winter storm causes havoc across Canada

Alberta ranchers shelter cattle against winds

Ottawa/Winnipeg | Reuters — Strong winds, freezing rain and heavy snowfall closed schools, cut power to homes and cancelled flights across Canada on Friday as a powerful winter storm swept across the country, prompting authorities to warn people to stay indoors ahead of worsening conditions. The storm is connected to the same freezing weather system […] Read more

CME February 2023 live cattle with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures up, cattle placements drop

Lean hogs lower as weather curbs processing

Chicago | Reuters — CME live cattle futures firmed on Friday, as traders anticipated lower November feedlot placements in the U.S. Agriculture Department’s monthly Cattle on Feed report, released after the market close. USDA reported feedlot placements in November fell two per cent from a year ago. Analysts predicted a 4.2 per cent drop in […] Read more


Mader Darlin’ 4H and Twin Springs Darlin’ 3K.

Lloydminster Stockade Roundup results

Purely Purebred, news from the December 2022 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Supreme Bull Winner: RPY Paynes Hitman 67J. Owned by Payne Livestock and Richmond Ranch — Brandon and Sam Nemetz.  Supreme Female Winner: Mader Darlin’ 4H and her calf Twin Springs Darlin’ 3K. Owned by Twin Springs Farm Ltd. and Black Gold Simmentals.  Saskatchewan Red Angus Gold Show Bull Grand Champion: Red DMM Rumble 74J of […] Read more

CME February 2023 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: February live cattle lower on slaughter delays

Winter weather caps gains in hog futures

Chicago | Reuters — CME live cattle futures eased on Thursday, as harsh cold conditions delayed slaughter operations, analysts said. Summer month futures climbed to contract highs as traders anticipate lower cattle supplies, possibly exacerbated by icy conditions. “We’re seeing those prices in April push through the roof. We now have a December that’s bitter […] Read more


veterinarian with a calf

The next generation of cow vets

Dr. Blake Balog created Bow Valley Livestock Health with a vision for the future of the cow-calf industry

For some, a career is a calling. They are compelled to pursue it, even in times when it isn’t enjoyable, or even profitable. This describes many beef producers. Those who work with primary producers often do so because it is their calling as well. In this way, veterinarians and producers are a lot alike. Running […] Read more



CME February 2023 lean hogs with 20- and 100-day moving averages and CME cash lean hog index (blue line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs firm on demand expectations

Live cattle follow retail beef prices higher

Chicago | Reuters — CME lean hog futures lifted on Wednesday, jumping to two-week highs on expectations that demand for market-ready hogs will perk up in the coming weeks, analysts said. “There seems to be a lot of optimism in buying for after the first of the year,” said Matthew Wiegand, Risk Management Consultant at […] Read more

CME February 2023 lean hogs with 20-day moving average (pink line) and CME cash lean hog index (blue line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs ease on weaker pork cutout

Cattle futures down with slaughter pace

Chicago | Reuters — CME Group lean hog futures fell on Tuesday, pressured by falling pork prices, analysts said. “The product markets are so weak, I think it’s keeping the nearby under pressure,” said Altin Kalo, economist at Steiner Consulting Group. Carcass cutout values dropped $1.47, to $83.46 per hundredweight (cwt), according to the U.S. […] Read more


Animals under stress due to extreme cold have a higher net-energy-for-maintenance requirement. In other words, they need additional energy to keep warm.

Winter arrives in cattle country

Nutrition with John McKinnon

As this article comes to print, it is early December and winter has gripped much of the country. Concurrent with this change in seasons, it is also a time of year when cattle feeders — cow-calf and feedlot alike — are settling into their winter-feeding programs. In the case of backgrounding and feedlot operations, hopefully […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market ends 2022 on firm tone

Trade expecting bullish numbers from USDA

Compared to last week, western Canadian calves were trading $4 to as much as $8 higher. Adverse weather did not influence the market this week. There appeared to be a surge in demand across all weight categories. Higher quality or pre-conditioned vaccinated, weaned, lower flesh calves in the 600–700-pound category were up as much as […] Read more