
Livestock

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle fall on global recession worries
Lean hogs buck downward trend
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell on Tuesday, following broad declines in commodities and Wall Street equities tied to fears of a global economic recession, traders said. “It’s the economy. You’ve got the fears of going into a recession,” said Don Roose, president of Iowa-based U.S. Commodities. “So goes the […] Read more

Swine fever outbreak in Germany’s top pork state poses lasting threat
Risk seen for spread to neighbours Netherlands, France
Hamburg | Reuters — The spread of African swine fever to Germany’s most important pig rearing region has dealt a serious blow to the sector with major markets such as China likely to maintain import bans for years to come, analysts said on Monday. The outbreak on a farm in Emsland, Lower Saxony is the […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle trade at 52-week highs
New-crop feed grain values under pressure
Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded steady to $2 higher with exceptional demand noted on steers over 700 pounds. Calf values were mixed in Alberta with markets trading $2-$4 on either side of unchanged; however, prices were steady to $4 higher in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Small groups of various quality characterized the feeder […] Read more

How to start rotational grazing
The best recommendations are those that fit you and your farm
After the drought last year, are you looking for a change for your summer pastures? Switching from a continuous grazing system to one that provides a rest period for the plants is one way to help plants recover from drought, while also helping protect plants during future droughts. A rotational grazing system can provide a […] Read more

Health Canada to slap warning labels on sugary, salty and fatty foods
Ottawa | Reuters – Foods high in sugars, sodium and saturated fat will come with clear warning labels in Canada starting in 2026, the federal government said on Thursday, in an effort to promote healthier eating choices and reduce chronic health risks. “We know that it’s not always easy to make healthy choices,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures ease ahead of U.S. holiday weekend
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures eased on Wednesday, as packers prep for a short processing week after the Fourth of July holiday in the United States, traders said. Packers’ purchases are expected to slow by the end of the week, to avoid having pens full of animals waiting over the […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Live cattle mixed on seasonal slump, domestic demand worries
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange spot live cattle futures rose on Tuesday, as the northern cash market continued to trade at a record premium over the south amid drought-hit grazing grounds, traders said. But CME’s benchmark August live cattle futures LCQ2 and deferred contracts slipped on worries about the health of the U.S. economy, and […] Read more

Taking care of beef business
Whether you’re thinking about incorporating or wondering if you should switch to accrual-based accounting, here are a few things to consider
Beef producers can be more profitable by controlling costs and, if the circumstances are right, incorporating their operations. Two virtual presentations by BDO Canada representatives on Beef Day at the Grey-Bruce Farmers’ Week earlier this year provided participants with tips and advice on how to optimize their bottom lines. Maggie Van Camp moderated the presentations […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder cattle trend higher, favourable beef outlook
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearlings traded $8 to as much as $12 higher; mid-weight feeders in the range of 700-800 pounds were also $8-10 higher. Calves under 700 pounds were unchanged to $6 higher. The feeder market took a fortuitous bounce last week. Major feedlots were extremely aggressive on yearlings while supplies were […] Read more

Hog wild — Canada’s feral pig problem worsens
Even as Alberta steps up tactics to control wild pigs and Canada develops a national strategy to control them, hope dims of eradicating invasive swine from the landscape
Whenever the wild pig problem facing Woodlands County makes the news, Dawn Fortin receives numerous phone calls, all promising the same thing. “Every time we get a media event that occurs, we are inundated with calls from expert hunters that want to come and fix our problem,” says Fortin, the agriculture services manager for this […] Read more