Beef Cattle , Latest & Featured - Canadian Cattlemen

Planning for herd health

Identifying the key elements of a herd health protocol using the VBP+ sample record template

By Emma Cross March 29, 2022

A herd health protocol is a document that outlines a producer’s plan for annual vaccinations and procedures, as well as treatments for common on-farm diseases. Created with a veterinarian, this plan includes timing of procedures, necessary supplies and identification of the cattle involved. While it is always a producer’s goal to avoid needing to treat […] Read more

CME December 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market showing strength in deferred positions

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 29, 2022

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $3-$5 lower on average while calves traded steady to $4 lower. Outside central Alberta, the steer-heifer spread appeared to widen by $2-$4. Strength in corn futures contributed to the defensive tone. Feedlot operators buying hand-to-mouth have been caught off guard with the recent jump in feed […] Read more

Calves should consume five to six pints or three quarts of good-quality colostrum within an hour of birth and again within 12 hours.

Cow-Calf, Livestock, Vet advice

More on updating the risk budget for newborn calves

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

By Dr. Ron Clarke March 23, 2022

A great deal of what gets published about nutrition of the neonatal calf (birth to 28 days) comes from research in the dairy industry. Beef producers should pay attention to what’s being practiced by neighbours in the dairy industry and to topics such as viability of newborn calves. Key to profitability for both beef and […] Read more

CME April 2023 live cattle (candlesticks, right column) with CME April 2022 feeder cattle (dark red line, left column). (Barchart)

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Deferred live cattle futures underpin feeder cattle prices

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 22, 2022

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Major feedlot operations in Alberta continue to carry large numbers of market-ready cattle. The backlog of fed cattle appears to be worse than earlier anticipated. Yearlings were featured at auction barns in the main feeding regions of Alberta. Feedlot […] Read more

Beef Cattle, News

Canadian beef groups call for back-to-work legislation following CP Rail work stoppage

By Canadian Cattlemen’s Association March 21, 2022

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and the National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) are calling for the immediate introduction of back-to-work legislation following the work stoppage at Canadian Pacific Railway (CP Rail) on March 20, 2022. Western Canadian cattle producers are dependent on feed shipments from the United States (U.S.) due to the hard-hitting drought producers […] Read more

Feeder cattle placements in January 2022 were four per cent lower than the previous year.

Beef Cattle, Markets, News

Cull cow prices see normal first-quarter improvement

The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the April 2022 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By Debbie McMillin March 21, 2022

Fed cattle Large kill volumes through February and increased front-end supply in the U.S. have held the fed cattle market in a tight trading range. Fed cattle prices in Western Canada ranged from $161.31/cwt to $163.24/cwt over a four-week period. The fed steer average on March 11 was $161.72/cwt. While the fed average is $11.72/cwt […] Read more

Amy Higgins is an industry co-ordinator with the Maritime Beef Council and a New Brunswick farmer.

Cow-Calf, Livestock

Taking the guesswork out of selecting a data management program for your cattle herd

A recent Maritime Beef Council project analyzed various data management software from the producer’s perspective

By Piper Whelan March 16, 2022

When it came to determining the best data management software program for her herd, like many beef producers, Amy Higgins found the possibilities a tad overwhelming. “It was almost like analysis paralysis,” says Higgins, who runs the Maritime Beef Council and raises cattle at Quispamsis, New Brunswick. “There were four or five different options. I […] Read more

CME June 2022 live cattle (green and red candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (black line) and December 2022 live cattle (dark red candlesticks). (Barchart)

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder cattle market experiences volatility

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 15, 2022

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $2 higher to as much as $5 lower depending on the region. Mid-weight calves weighing 650-800 lbs. were relatively unchanged while lighter weight calves were steady to $3 higher on average. June live cattle are off $9 from their mid-February highs while the December 2022 live […] Read more

Barley, Beef Cattle, Livestock

Klassen: Surge in feed grain prices shocks feeder cattle market

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 9, 2022

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded $3-$5 lower on average. Feeder cattle weighing 650 to 800 lbs. were relatively unchanged to $3 lower. Calves under 650 lbs. were steady to $4-$6 lower in Alberta, unchanged in Saskatchewan and $3-$5 higher in Manitoba. Fleshier yearlings and calves were heavily discounted last week with […] Read more

Failure to provide a ration that is balanced to meet a cow’s post-calving nutritional requirements will result in a loss of body condition and a likely drop in milk production.

Cow-Calf, Livestock, Nutrition

Feeding the lactating beef cow

Nutrition with John McKinnon

By John McKinnon March 8, 2022

In my last two columns (see links below), I have focused on how the cow prioritizes nutrient use for different physiological functions such as maintenance and pregnancy. This month I want to complete the discussion by focusing on the events leading up to and following calving. Read more: Feeding the pregnant beef cow Read more: […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn rebound on technical trading, bargain buying

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rally peters out on position squaring

Moe to go to China to discuss canola tariffs

Daily Network News

U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn rebound on technical trading, bargain buying

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rally peters out on position squaring

Moe to go to China to discuss canola tariffs

Beef Cattle

Planning for herd health

Klassen: Feeder market showing strength in deferred positions

More on updating the risk budget for newborn calves

Klassen: Deferred live cattle futures underpin feeder cattle prices

Canadian beef groups call for back-to-work legislation following CP Rail work stoppage

Cull cow prices see normal first-quarter improvement

Taking the guesswork out of selecting a data management program for your cattle herd

Klassen: Feeder cattle market experiences volatility

Klassen: Surge in feed grain prices shocks feeder cattle market

Feeding the lactating beef cow

Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field

Blogs

Cows ain’t coal

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Aug. 15, 2025

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