Conservation organizations such as Ducks Unlimited Canada are concerned about the pandemic's effect on beef producers and the long-term implications for the wildlife habitat those producers protect.

Cattle versus climate: Where’s the beef?

Livestock production’s environmental impact is complicated but if done right,
 it’s good for the planet, says author

It’s become accepted wisdom that cattle production is worse for the environment than gas-guzzling SUVs — but it’s not true. “We’re told over and over again that cattle are bad for the environment and, therefore, everybody should eat less beef,” said Nicolette Hahn Niman, author of Defending Beef: The Case for Sustainable Meat Production. “We’re […] Read more


Photo: File

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rise on better beef packer demand

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose sharply on Friday, lifted by better demand from beef packers who were bidding more aggressively to buy steers in cash markets, traders and analysts said. Technical buying also supported cattle futures, which broke out of a relatively narrow trade that had defined the market […] Read more

China has proposed tariffs that would include LNG, semiconductors, beef, aircraft.  Photo: Darwel/iStock/Getty Images

China plans tariffs on $60 bln of U.S. goods in latest trade salvo

Beijing | Singapore | Reuters – China proposed retaliatory tariffs on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods ranging from liquefied natural gas (LNG) to some aircraft on Friday, as a senior Chinese diplomat cast doubt on prospects of talks with Washington to solve their bitter trade conflict. The Trump administration tightened pressure for trade concessions from […] Read more


Photo: File/Reuters

China reports 1st African swine fever outbreak, culls 1,000 hogs

Beijing | Reuters – China reported its first outbreak of the deadly African swine fever (ASF) on Friday, as authorities in Liaoning province in the country’s northeast culled almost 1,000 hogs and rushed to control the highly contagious disease. News of the infection will stoke concern about its spread in the world’s largest pig herd, and possibly […] Read more

A bull recovering from foot rot, which can be caused when cattle avoiding flies stand in water for long periods.

Fly bites a nuisance that can also lead to foot rot

Chemical controls and pasture rotation are options for control of stable flies

Fly problems are prevalent in some parts of North Dakota this year, North Dakota State University Extension livestock specialists warn. Horn, face and stable flies all are irritating to cattle, but stable flies have been particularly bothersome. “They will bite and irritate the animals on the legs and belly, and control of these pests is […] Read more


(Deyana Robova photo/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. livestock: Lower cash, pork prices send CME hog futures lower

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange hogs closed lower for a third straight day on Thursday, posting new lows for the contract, following downward-trending prices for market-ready, or cash hogs and wholesale pork values, traders said. Plentiful hog supplies and some plants shutting down temporarily to perform routine maintenance, which is typical this time […] Read more

The sustainability pilot has generated a lot of interest with buyers of beef.

Cattle producers can now take beef sustainability to the bank

Raising ‘certified sustainable’ beef earns producers a premium and McDonald’s is going all in

Four years after McDonald’s chose Canada to launch its landmark sustainable beef initiative, some producers and feedlots are happily cashing cheques for participating in that effort. And while the amounts so far have been fairly small, it’s a big plus for producers, say participants. “We started on that journey because we thought it was important […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle jump as corn costs decline; hogs extend losses

Chicago | Reuters – U.S. cattle futures jumped over 1 percent on Wednesday, with feeder cattle prices leading the way higher after corn futures fell, traders and analysts said. Feed costs are a top expense for fattening cattle and Chicago Mercantile Exchange feeder cattle surged as corn futures turned lower from a roughly 1-1/2 month […] Read more

(Regis Lefebure photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures tumble with pork belly prices, despite China hopes

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell sharply on Tuesday, weighed down by ample supplies and tumbling prices for pork bellies that are used for bacon, traders said. Front-month August lean hogs fell 2.175 cents to 61.125 cents per pound, dropping to a life-of-contract low for the fourth consecutive session. Most-active […] Read more