All in on year-round grazing

All in on year-round grazing

Stephen Hughes’ family has operated the Chinook Ranch near Longview, Alta., since the late 1940s. It consists of 5,000 acres, roughly half in Crown lands, and most of it in tall grass prairie to carry 500 cows year-round plus 500 yearlings in the summer. It was a traditional operation, raising hay to carry the cows […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle up third straight session

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange nearby live cattle futures on Thursday rose for a third straight day, led by bullish market fundamentals before profit-taking pulled contracts from new highs, said traders. June settled 1.25 cent/lb. higher at 131.3 cents, and spiked by its 4.5-cent expanded trading limit and a new high of 134.55 […] Read more


U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order April 29 in Pennsylvania on the establishment of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy. (Screengrab from video at Whitehouse.gov)

U.S. farm groups pile on Canada as Trump eyes trade fairness

Winnipeg | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of the protected Canadian dairy system has emboldened U.S. farm groups to tackle other longstanding agriculture irritants, as the countries move toward rewriting trade rules. U.S. poultry exporters, who include Tyson Foods and Pilgrims Pride Corp., as well as egg sellers, are expected to seek greater […] Read more

cow in the mountains

Gaining farmland advantage payments for ecoservices

Ecosystems meet economics for sustainability in B.C.

Returning from college to the family ranch was something of a reality check for Dave Zehnder. The open spaces, wildlife and other farm families that he had taken for granted as part of everyday life were being lost to recreational and urban developments in the scenic valley surrounding his hometown of Invermere, B.C. Lessons from […] Read more


Hogs on a stock trailer bound for a Toronto packing plant accept drinks from Toronto Pig Save members in 2013. (Screengrab of Toronto Pig Save video via YouTube)

Farm groups weigh options after hog truck verdict

Officials with Ontario farm groups plan to “discuss next steps” following the dismissal of charges against an animal welfare activist who gave drinks to hogs aboard a livestock trailer. Justice David Harris of the Ontario Court of Justice on Thursday dismissed a charge of criminal mischief against Anita Krajnc of the self-described “grassroots, animal rights, […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle soar limit up

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts on Wednesday posted new highs, and nearby months hit their three-cent daily price limit, sparked by brisk beef demand and stronger-than-anticipated cash prices, traders said. June settled at 130.05 cents and August 123.8 — limit up and fresh highs for both contracts (all figures US$). […] Read more



Salute the brave new owners

Salute the brave new owners

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay: From the April 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Entering the beef processing business is full of risk. Just ask those who have tried and failed over the past 25 years. So it’s worth saluting the owners of two new beef processing companies that have started operations at almost opposite ends of North America. I’m referring to Harmony Beef, which began operations February 27 […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle end higher, but off session tops

Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher Tuesday on fund buying, short-covering and solid beef demand that briefly lifted the June contract to its three-cent daily price limit, said traders. They said profit-taking and caution before this week’s cash prices pulled futures from new contract highs. June ended 2.925 cents/lb. […] Read more