Dr. Anatoliy Trokhymchuk holding some of the equipment used to identify specific BRD-causing pathogens.

Tech for cattle disease diagnostics edges into the Star Trek age

Researchers are testing new, compact equipment to see if it can quickly and accurately diagnose specific pathogens that cause BRD in the field and feedlot

Remember the COVID rapid test? That was a point-of-need test designed to find a target and match it to a “binder” which then changes the colour if it’s positive or negative. The same principle is applied to the rapid lateral flow device test for anthrax, Dr. Anatoliy Trokhymchuk explains, which was developed by the U.S. […] Read more

(Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Feeder market bounces on lower volumes

Feedlot operators believe yearling numbers will be down in March and April

Strength was noted in Manitoba and Saskatchewan while a softer tone was evident in Alberta. Once again, buyers shrugged off the weaker feeder cattle futures and the focus was on filling year-end orders. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlots are carrying larger numbers but there appears to be sufficient bunk capacity available to sustain the price structure.



BeefWatch: Record-high cattle prices yet to spur herd expansion

BeefWatch: Record-high cattle prices yet to spur herd expansion

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattle Association

Despite record-high prices for feeder cattle this spring and summer there appears to be no signal that the North American cattle herd has transitioned to the expansion phase. The heifers kept for breeding were down, as of July 1, while heifers for slaughter were up. Depleted feedstocks, record-high feeder cattle prices and widespread areas of […] Read more


File photo of cattle in an Alberta feedlot. (Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Strong demand continues to support feeder market

Significant downside risk ahead

For the week ending Nov. 25, western Canadian yearling prices were $4-$8/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. However, calf markets were firm trading $5-$8/cwt on either side of unchanged compared to values quoted a week prior. Optimal weather in southern Alberta caused major feedlot operators to stretch their hands across the Prairies. At the […] Read more

Market Intelligence Update from Canada Beef: Canada imports less beef to Hong Kong, U.S. sees uptick

Market Intelligence Update from Canada Beef: Canada imports less beef to Hong Kong, U.S. sees uptick

In September, Hong Kong imported a total of 218,822 tonnes of beef, reflecting a three per cent year-over-year decrease. Australian beef experienced the most significant decline at 17 per cent, followed by Canadian beef at 12 per cent. In contrast, the U.S. beef saw a notable increase of 21 per cent. When comparing overall consumer […] Read more


Toby Noble speaks with judge Kirsten Fornwald following his victory with Bar SK Cattle Company’s Black Gold Ms Hayleigh at Canadian Western Agribition’s First Lady Classic Nov. 21.

Simmental clear winner at First Lady Classic at Agribition

Winner says champion female brought a combination of femininity, structural integrity, body, mass and power to the ring

Cattle judges found their champion during the First Lady Classic at Canadian Western Agribition last week in Regina. Eleven animals made it to the final round with every major breed represented. In the end, Black Gold Ms Hayleigh, a 2022-born Simmental, stood head and flanks above the rest. Toby Noble showed the animal on behalf […] Read more

Market Intelligence Update from Canada Beef: U.S. imports of Canadian beef see continued growth

Market Intelligence Update from Canada Beef: U.S. imports of Canadian beef see continued growth

Sales of Canadian beef In August, U.S. imports of Canadian beef moved higher for the second consecutive month. August beef imports totalled 85.4 million pounds (38,755 tonnes) carcass weight, four per cent higher than August 2022 and three per cent higher than the five-year average for August. August is typically the peak month for Canadian […] Read more


(Geralyn Wichers file photo)

Klassen: Canadian feeder buyers ignore weaker futures market

U.S. feedlot placements up four per cent

For the week ending Nov. 18, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3-$5/cwt on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Buyers appeared to shrug off the weaker futures market and the defensive tone from a week earlier evaporated. Eastern Prairie markets were firm, with larger packages of quality cattle trading a solid […] Read more

Katrina Garneau fills the crowd in on her research at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence field day in June 2023.

Researchers work with pen riders to fine-tune BRD diagnosis

Graduate student hopes to ‘crack the code’ for BRD by combining pen rider experience with new technology

Pen riders are quintessential cowboys of the modern era — riding through groups of cattle, cowboy hats or baseball caps pulled low to block the sun as they note every single animal in the feedlot. Even in the winter, with frost building on the faces of cattle, horses and humans, pen riders are riding the […] Read more