Photo: ARS/USDA

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs touch one-week lows in pullback from gains

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell to their lowest prices in more than a week on Thursday in a setback from recent rallies, traders said. Live cattle futures also ended lower after the February contract LCF3 set a new high. The hog and cattle markets were overbought and due for corrections, traders […] Read more

Maximizing growth while limiting digestive disorder can make wheat grain a profitable addition to feedlot diets.

Optimizing wheat grain use in feedlot diets

Researchers explore whether processing wheat can reduce its potential to cause digestive upsets, and allow feedlots to use this high-protein, high-energy feed

Wheat is notorious for being a highly fermentable cereal grain and its inclusion in finishing feedlot diets is often restricted to avoid digestive disorders such as rumen acidosis and bloat. Adverse growing conditions frequently result in wheat grain with elevated mycotoxin levels that fail to meet the standard for human consumption. But such wheat may […] Read more


Photo: Thinkstock

U.S. livestock: Supply concerns drive CME live cattle to new contract high

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher and reached a new contract high on Wednesday amid concerns about tightening U.S. supplies, brokers said. Strong recent gains have left the market technically overbought and due for a setback, brokers said. “We’ve had a nice rally here,” said Matt Wiegand, commodity broker […] Read more

Recent research from the University of Alberta finds that adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing can speed the carbon cycle.

What does the On-Farm Climate Action Fund mean for rotational grazing?

The federal government has slated money to support rotational grazing. But what costs are covered and how can producers access funding and support?

For the past 70-plus years, forage scientists and grazing extension specialists have been promoting different forms of rotational grazing to cattle producers in various parts of the world. It all started with Andre Marcel Voisin (Jan 7, 1903 – Dec 21, 1964) a French biochemist and farmer and author of Rational Intensive Grazing. On his […] Read more


Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures turn lower after setting contract highs

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures ended mostly lower on profit-taking on Tuesday as the market pulled back from contract highs, analysts said. The market consolidated after recent gains, though analysts said cash cattle prices are expected to strengthen this week. Most actively traded December live cattle LCZ2 ended 0.825 cent lower at […] Read more

Grazing over-mature forages cuts feeding and corral-cleaning costs and retains nitrogen on the land.

Grazing over-mature forages

Fall grazing has many benefits, but make sure the cow and calf’s nutritional needs are being met

Grazing mature cattle on mature forages and crop aftermath late into fall are options that reduce overall feeding costs. Kaliel and Kotowich (2002) reported that 60 per cent of production costs in a cow-calf operation are associated with winter feeding. Extending the grazing season reduces costs but there are limitations on what can be done.  […] Read more


Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Alberta feedlot backlog limits demand for feeder cattle 

Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices traded steady to $2 lower on average while calf markets were down $3 to $5. Feedlots in Alberta and Saskatchewan are backed up with significant numbers of market ready fed cattle which has set a negative tone for replacement cattle. Carcass weights are nearing historical highs. Barley […] Read more

Photo: File

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures jump to 7-year peak as U.S. herd shrinks

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rallied to a fresh seven-year high on Monday, lifted by expectations for tightening supplies following a monthly U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cattle supply report, traders said. Several actively traded nearby contracts posted life-of-contract highs after the USDA’s cattle-on-feed report, released after the market closed on […] Read more


CME December 2022 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures rise on robust beef, pork demand

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog and cattle futures rose on Friday, with strong consumer demand for pork and beef pushing prices higher, traders said. Live cattle received a boost from concerns about tight supplies. “The big thing on the cattle is that the beef market seasonally found some really good strength,” said […] Read more

Rebuilding or replacing forage stands

Rebuilding or replacing forage stands

By evaluating current and past management practices, you can avoid repeat mistakes

Before attempting to rejuvenate or replace pasture, we must evaluate the pasture or hay field that is in poor condition. Start by determining the plant species that are present and the number of plants per square foot. Collect information from 10 different locations within the pasture to get a good overview of populations. Also, record […] Read more