(File photo)

U.S. rolls back inspection rules for egg products

New rule to affect 83 U.S. facilities

Chicago | Reuters — The Trump administration said Wednesday it will stop requiring U.S. plants that produce egg products to have full-time government inspectors, in the first update of inspection methods in 50 years. Under a new rule that takes effect immediately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow companies such as Cargill and Sonstegard […] Read more

CME October 2020 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rise on expectations of firm cash values

Hog market appears technically overbought

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed higher on Tuesday on expectations of firmer cash prices as supplies of market-ready cattle tighten, following a drop this past spring in the number of cattle placed in feedlots, traders said. “Packer margins are huge; they are still over $350 a head. […] Read more


Beef is a good fit in Canadian diets. It may even qualify as a superfood.

Will the real superfood please stand up?

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

“Superfood” is a marketing (not medical or scientific) term used to describe foods with perceived health benefits because of exceptional nutritional properties. Google “superfood” and you’ll see numerous lists claiming health benefits for foods such as broccoli, legumes, nuts, salmon, eggs, kale, beans, spinach, and trendy new things like acai or goji berries that marketers […] Read more

Some implants are made for use in feedlots, while others are more suitable for pastured cattle.

Proper use of implants for calves

Using the right implant at the right time can fatten the bottom line, but producers must consider everything from the market to production stage before picking an implant

Some cow-calf producers implant calves they plan to sell, and most feedlots use implants to boost growth and feed efficiency. But using them effectively requires knowledge of how implants work, how to implant correctly and potential carcass effects. There are several types of implants containing different hormones. These include three naturally occurring hormones (estradiol, progesterone […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Yearling markets mixed

Compared to last week, yearling prices for western Canadian were down $2-$5 on average with the exception of southern Alberta where prices were relatively unchanged. Major feedlots in the Lethbridge area focused on local cattle which contributed to the firmer tone. Outside of Feedlot Alley, weakness in the deferred live cattle futures had buyers on […] Read more

UQAR rector Jean-Pierre Ouellet, regional development minister Marie-Eve Proulx, UdeM rector Daniel Jutras, Dr. Christine Theoret, UdeM dean of veterinary medicine and provincial ag minister André Lamontagne (l-r) announced the funding Sept. 3, 2020 for the feasibility study. (UQAR photo by Stephane Lizotte)

Montreal’s veterinary college to study eastward expansion

Province backs feasibility study for Rimouski-based program

With a eye on expanding livestock veterinary services in the Lower St-Lawrence and Gaspesie, the Quebec government is backing a feasibility study to bring veterinary studies to the region. The province on Thursday announced assistance of $627,946 for 2019-20 for a feasibility study making a business case to offer the Universite de Montreal’s veterinary medicine […] Read more



CME October 2020 lean hogs with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit four-month high on export hopes

Post-Labour Day beef demand in doubt

Chicago | Reuters — Strong export demand for U.S. pork pushed Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures to a four-month high on Friday. Traders are optimistic China, the world’s biggest pork consumer, will remain a strong buyer, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported strong weekly export sales on Thursday. Chinese importers have been bringing […] Read more


CME October 2020 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hogs hit four-month high on strong export sales

CME cattle lower on demand uncertainty

Chicago | Reuters — U.S lean hog futures jumped to a four-month high on Thursday on strong export demand and short covering, while cattle futures weakened. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported net U.S. pork export sales of 53,646 tonnes for the week ended Aug. 27, up 36 per cent from the previous week. China, […] Read more

(SCIC.ca)

Saskatchewan extends WLPIP premium rebate if needed

Rebate to offset premium prices, if above pre-COVID levels

Saskatchewan’s temporary subsidy against price jumps in premiums for the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP) will continue when needed to the end of 2020. Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. (SCIC), which administers the program in that province, announced Tuesday the WLPIP premium rebate is extended to Dec. 31, from its previous end date of Sept. […] Read more