(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle market seeking stability

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices continued on a downward trajectory trading $3-$5 below week-ago levels. Erratic buying interest resulted in inconsistent price action across the Prairies which made the market difficult to define. Smaller groups of various quality cattle were on offer, justifying the softer tone, but feedlot operators demonstrated unwavering fortitude even on genetically […] Read more

(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

U.S. opens up to Brazil fresh beef imports

Brasilia | Reuters –– The U.S. and Brazilian governments exchanged food safety equivalence documents on Monday that will open up their respective markets to fresh beef exports, a window expected to boost Brazil’s exports to the U.S. by US$900 million. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said its Food Safety and Inspection Service had determined that […] Read more



U.S. livestock: CME hogs settle mostly weak on month-end positioning

Chicago / Reuters – Most Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog contracts closed weaker on Friday, after a volatile session highlighted by  investors squaring positions on the final trading day of the month, trader said. August hogs finished up 0.125 cent per lb to 68.975 cents. October ended 0.150 cent per lb lower at 59.050 cents and December down 0.075 cent to […] Read more


A healthy balance of cattle and crops isn’t just better for the balance sheet, say father Jim and Ryan Boyd, it’s better for the soil too, which will pay long-term dividends.

A strategy for regenerative agriculture

Ryan Boyd believes he has the right strategy to get him off the expansion treadmill

About 10 years ago, Ryan Boyd came to his father Jim with some new ideas, and Jim knew it was time to listen. Ryan talked about a new strategy, adopting regenerative and sustainable approaches in order to enhance their productivity. “Dad was more than willing to try something else,” Ryan says. “He’d always believed the […] Read more

File photo

U.S. livestock: Slumping cash prices sink CME hogs to four-month low

Chicago / Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs on Thursday settled near their lowest since late-March 2013, dragged down by weaker cash prices before some plants shut down on Monday for an annual industry floater holiday, traders said. One packer was closed on Thursday, and possibly on Friday, for repairs, which limited its need for supplies, a Midwest hog merchant […] Read more


Three-compartment ground feeder.

Weatherproof feeder betters your chances of correct mineral intake

Beef cows can’t live without minerals and vitamins, which are often deficient or biologically unavailable in many pastures. I routinely recommend cattle producers feed sufficient well-formulated loose cattle mineral on a regular basis. I find that most people will take time in choosing a commercial beef mineral that’s formulated to meet their cows’ respective seasonal […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME hog futures biggest one-day loss in seven months

Chicago / Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs on Wednesday slumped nearly four per cent, their biggest daily decline since mid-December 2015, pressured by day’s steep wholesale pork price drop and further cash price weakness, traders said. August hogs finished 2.925 cents per lb lower at 71.675 cents. October ended 2.575 cents per lb lower at 61.050 cents. Cash hog prices […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: Beef price bounce extends CME live cattle futures gains

Chicago / Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures gained for a third straight session on Tuesday, fueled by technical buying and the day’s wholesale beef price turnaround, said traders. August live cattle closed 0.925 cents per lb higher at 113.875 cents, and above the 40-day moving average of 113.30 cents. October settled 1.500 cents higher at 112.575 cents and over […] Read more