Buying livestock you’re unfamiliar with has its risks so remember to vaccinate new arrivals before mixing them with your herd.

Always look a gift cow in the mouth

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

This year’s feed situation is forcing many cow-calf producers to make very difficult decisions. Those who are short of feed may cull their herds harder than usual or look for alternative feeding arrangements to winter some or all their cows. Others with feed carryover from previous years may be tempted to custom feed other people’s […] Read more

CME December 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle hit fresh high

Higher cash values, beef demand support futures

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) live cattle futures rose for a sixth consecutive session on Wednesday, and the front-month contract touched its highest point in four-and-a-half years, on higher cash market prices and strong beef demand. Most contracts posted life-of-contract highs, extending a multi-session rally, amid rising beef imports by China and […] Read more


Regular interactions with their customers and proximity to urban development has shaped Dean and Catherine Manning’s awareness of the public’s perception of agriculture.

Using natural advantages for a sustainable cow-calf operation

The 2021 TESA recipients discuss managing risk by working with the environment and the importance of building trust with customers

In a place described by poets as “the forest primeval,” Dean and Catherine Manning have built a business to be proud of in Nova Scotia’s agricultural paradise. With a unique climate and fertile farmland developed from salt marshes more than 300 years ago, all kinds of agricultural production flourish near the Minas Basin, from orchards […] Read more



File photo of a dairy operation in B.C.’s Fraser Valley. (Modfos/iStock/Getty Images)

Some B.C. milk runs resume as roads reopen

Sumas Prairie remains under boil water advisory

Milk pickups are resuming for some southern British Columbia dairy farmers, days after flooding and landslides caused by a days-long rainstorm cut off vehicle traffic through the region. In the wake of the Nov. 14-16 storm, with trucks unable to reach farms, the B.C. Milk Marketing Board on Nov. 16 asked that affected dairy farmers […] Read more

CME December 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, brown and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle notch 4-1/2 year high

Lean hogs gain on good demand

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) live cattle futures rose for a fifth consecutive session on Tuesday and the front-month contract reached its highest in 4-1/2-years on a firm cash market and good beef demand. Cattle prices have been trending higher amid rising imports by China and improved domestic demand as more consumers […] Read more


Cattle grazing at B-C Ranch near Dorintosh, Sask.

Finding equilibrium in forest grazing

Fire suppression, managing invasive species among benefits of grazing forested areas

If producers want to reap the benefits of grazing forested areas, they can’t ignore the balance needed for the health of these ecosystems.  Creating balance in forest grazing systems involves managing for risks, such as erosion, particularly in steep areas, soil compaction in places where cattle tend to gather and impacts on water quality if […] Read more

CME February 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle notch 4-1/2-year high

Lean hogs gain on good demand

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) climbed for a fourth straight session on Monday, with front-month contract hitting a fresh 4-1/2-year high on strong demand. Lean hog futures also firmed, supported by good demand. Lighter-than-normal trading volumes aided livestock futures’ advance on Monday, with little selling pressure ahead […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

High River beef plant workers to vote on Cargill offer

UFCW bargaining committee is recommending nay

Workers on the verge of striking at Cargill’s major beef cattle slaughter plant at High River, Alta. will vote this week on a new contract offer from the company. However, the union bargaining committee for the workers, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401, is recommending employees vote against the proposal. […] Read more

CME February 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures up for third straight day

December, February hogs lower

Chicago | Reuters — CME Group cattle futures rose for a third day in a row on Friday, with the front-month live cattle contract hitting a fresh 4-1/2-year high on strong cash markets and rising slaughter numbers. Hog futures were weaker on technical selling. CME’s most-active February live cattle contract gained 0.45 cent to 137.7 […] Read more