
Beef Cattle

Farm Credit Canada offers incentives to its CRSB-certified customers
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has announced an incentive program for producers who are certified through the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB). “How it works is if you are an FCC customer, and you are already certified, you’re eligible for the FCC incentive payment,” says Curtis Grainger, director of lending products and sustainability programs with […] Read more

Klassen: Steady demand supports feeder cattle prices
Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets were relatively unchanged. Weakness in deferred live cattle futures and uncertainty in the feed grain market tempered the upside for all weight categories of replacement cattle. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $288-$290 delivered, steady to $2 lower […] Read more

Sask Stock Growers combat conservation easement hesitancy among ranchers through education
With the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) and the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation (SSGF) working on offering term conservation easements, producers’ hesitancy for perpetual easements has become apparent. “The percentage of producers that are interested in perpetual is pretty minimal,” says Chad MacPherson, general manager of the SSGA. “But there was 30 per cent or […] Read more

Cattle and environmental groups bringing voluntary term conservation easements to Western Canada
When Tom Harrison, project manager for the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation, began looking into conservation easements in Saskatchewan, he mainly heard skepticism from producers. “We’ve been talking to producers in southwest Saskatchewan about easements. And what we’re finding is that there’s probably hardly any interest whatsoever in producers signing perpetual conservation easements on their land,” […] Read more

Klassen: Canadian feeder market divorces from feeder cattle futures
Timing of new-crop feed grains leads to shift
Compared to last week western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$4 on either side of unchanged. The quality was quite variable resulting in the wide price structure; however, decent genetic and lower flesh packages were red hot. Feedlot operators were extremely aggressive on 700- to 800-lb. steers although higher weight categories were also well bid. Auction […] Read more

Hospitality 101: Attracting people to your field day or private treaty sale
There’s more than one way to sell a bull. A Canadian Cattlemen community coffee shop discussion from across the Prairies on how to get it done
If you don’t do the homework, your field day or open house private treaty sales might be the beef producer’s equivalent of throwing a party and nobody coming. However, if you plan well in advance, you could extend your hospitality to an entirely new group of customers, plus show your appreciation to your long-standing ones. […] Read more

AUDIO: How to quit smart or push through using ‘the dip’
Change isn't easy, but just knowing that the dip exists can help you get through tough spots
Most beef producers have been there. You’ve made a major management decision and at some point, it just doesn’t seem to be working out. You’re at a crossroads: do you quit while you’re ahead or do you power through, possibly throwing good money after bad? Famed management guru Seth Godin has a name for this […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market develops two-tier price structure
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings markets traded $2-$4 higher on average; feeder cattle in the 600- to 800-pound weight category were up $3 to as much as $6 while calves under 600 lbs. traded $4-$8 higher. The Canadian dollar strengthened on Friday but the softer tone from Monday through Thursday contributed to the […] Read more

Lupines and crooked calves
If you’ve seen birth defects such as fused joints, crooked legs or cleft palates in your newborn calves, toxic plants could be the culprits
Lupine calves” or “crooked calves” are an example of what can happen when various plant toxins are ingested by a pregnant cow at a certain stage of pregnancy. Lupines, also known as bluebonnets, are legumes. As legumes, they can enrich nitrogen-poor soil. In Canada, at least 28 species have been recognized, mostly in Western Canada. […] Read more

BeefWatch: Canada’s cattle herd shrinks, beef exports very strong
Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
Canadian and U.S. cattle inventories continued to contract at the start of 2022. Cattle supplies remained ample in the near term with large on-feed inventories but are expected to tighten in the second half of the year with a shrinking cow herd and smaller calf crop. Beef exports were remarkably strong in 2021 with record-high […] Read more