
Livestock

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

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

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

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

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

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

Milk fever, minerals and chemistry: It’s just one big interaction!
Mineral nutrition has been a topic of this column on numerous occasions, particularly from the point of view of meeting requirements of cattle as they move through various stages of production. One aspect of mineral nutrition that we have not paid as much attention to is how different minerals interact with one another and how […] Read more

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

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

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