Photo: File

Klassen: Feeder cattle market stabilizes

Compared to last week, Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2 to $3 on either side of unchanged. Most auction barns held feature sales over the past week and steady demand was noted across the prairies. Calves appeared to gain momentum late in the week with favorable weather enhancing buying interest; however, yearlings were quite […] Read more

The Hoimyrs input data directly into their Numbers spreadsheet on their iPad when working cattle.

Managing data on the ranch

Maintaining cattle records can pay off at the farm level and beyond

For some beef producers, maintaining accurate cattle records is a time-consuming chore, but for others it is the tool they depend on to run a productive and profitable operation. The method and complexity of cattle records is as varied as the farm operators who use the information. But ag economist Manglai Ma’s graduate research found […] Read more


Photo: Thinkstock

U.S. livestock: Live cattle continue to rally on strong cash prices, fund buying

Chicago | Reuters – U.S. live cattle futures extended their rally on Monday, lifted by strong cash cattle and beef prices, and funds continuing to add to their positions, traders said. The wholesale choice beef price hit $227.51 per cwt on Monday, up $2.07, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said. The wholesale select beef prices rose […] Read more

Tips for starting calves on feed

Tips for starting calves on feed

Nutrition with John McKinnon

Retained ownership is a marketing strategy that is used to manage market risk. As opposed to selling weaned calves into a potentially depressed market, retaining ownership and selling at a later stage of production (i.e. as short or long yearlings, or even finished animals) offers the possibility to sell into a more favourable market, as […] Read more


BRD or shipping fever is associated with recently weaned calves or calves that have recently arrived in the feedlot. Keep an eye out for chronic respiratory infections as well as acute cases.

Biofilm infections hamper detection and treatment of shipping fever

Research is underway on ways to dissolve the biofilm that protects bacteria in many cases of bovine respiratory disease

Keep a closer eye on the chronic, less obvious cases of bovine respiratory disease, says one researcher. These infections often involve a biofilm in the respiratory tract, protecting the bacteria and making it more resistant to antibiotics. Dr. Thomas Inzana, associate dean for research at Long Island University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has been studying […] Read more

Photo: File

U.S. livestock: Live cattle rally to 5-1/2 month peak on firm cash cattle, beef prices

Chicago | Reuters – U.S. live cattle futures stretched to 5-1/2-month highs on Friday, lifted by strong cash cattle and beef prices and positioning ahead of a monthly cattle supply report. Cash cattle at southern U.S. Plains feedlot markets traded around $110 per cwt or more this week, up from an average of $108 last […] Read more


If you can select for low-maintenance cows, your profitability will go up.

Genetic Modifications Observed in cattle

From the Ground Up with Steve Kenyon

I am not an expert on cattle genetics. Not even close. I believe that in today’s livestock genetics, there is just as much variability within a breed as there is between breeds. We have diluted our genetics far too much with most breeds and most species. But I would like to share with you a […] Read more



Agropur’s Fromagerie Damafro had been known as the developer of Quebec’s first-ever soft washed rind cheese, sold under the Saint-Damase brand. (OurCheeses.com)

Agropur halts talks with Quebec goat dairy producers

Agropur has gone back to Plan A for the fate of a major Quebec soft cheese processing plant after halting talks with the province’s goat dairy farmer association. Canada’s biggest dairy co-operative had announced in September last year it would close the former Fromagerie Damafro plant at Saint-Damase, Que. in April this year, but delayed […] Read more

Screenshot from a video posted on YouTube showing animal rights activists entering a turkey barn at the Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony on Labour Day.

Charges laid in Alberta turkey farm occupation

A high-profile occupation last month by protestors at an Alberta Hutterite colony’s turkey farm has led to criminal charges against four people. RCMP on Wednesday announced charges of one count each of break and enter to commit mischief for a 46-year-old Edmonton man, a 24-year-old woman from Pincher Creek and a 28-year-old woman and 16-year-old […] Read more