
Livestock

Feed grain weekly outlook: Ample supplies pushing down prices
Livestock feeders well covered with U.S. corn, pressuring prices
Due to good supplies, prices for feed barley and wheat continued to slide back, according to Jim Beusekom of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge, Alta.

Klassen: Canadian feeder market jumps on USDA data
The U.S. cattle herd reached lowest head count since 1950s, trade anticipates heifer retention
For the week ending February 2, Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were up $6/cwt to $12/cwt from seven days earlier. Certain pockets of Western Canada had grass cattle trading $12/cwt to as much as $20/cwt above the previous week.

“Animal-free” milk gets green light in Canada
Company touts synthetic dairy as more environmentally friendly, healthy
In a news release today, Israeli startup Remilk, which uses the tagline "Real Dairy. No Milk," announced it had received a 'No Objection Letter' from Health Canada. This will "open the door for use of Remilk's protein in a variety of products with the same taste and texture as milk, ice cream, yogurt, cream cheese, and more," the company said.

Total US cattle herd drops to lowest level since 1951 – USDA
Easing dryness could encourage ranchers to begin rebuilding beef herds
Chicago | Reuters - The total number of U.S. cattle fell to its lowest level since 1951 as of Jan. 1, in the herd's fifth consecutive year of decline, U.S. Department of Agriculture data showed on Wednesday.

U.S. livestock: CME cattle soar as cash markets firm
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures jumped on Thursday, buoyed by rising cash cattle prices and a government inventory report confirming that the total number of U.S. cattle fell to a 73-year low. CME April live cattle futures LCJ24 settled up 2.475 cents at 183.175 cents per pound, nearing Monday’s 2-1/2-month high of […] Read more

Prairie feed market remains under pressure
U.S. corn imports adding to lack of demand for domestic barley
Feed grain markets in Western Canada remain under pressure, with end users well covered and farmers still sitting on large amounts of unpriced grain.

Feed grain prices poised to strengthen
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
During the first week of January, Lethbridge area feedlots were buying feed barley in the range of $310-$320/tonne delivered. In central Alberta, operations were making purchases from $270/tonne to $310/tonne. The feed barley market came under pressure in December after the release of Statistics Canada’s November crop survey. Weaker corn prices have also contributed to […] Read more

First-of-its-kind cattle methane limiter approved for Canada
Enteric methane emissions from cattle contributes 3.3 per cent of Canada’s total GHG emissions
A feed ingredient designed to reduce methane emissions in beef and dairy cattle has received market authorization in Canada.

Changing feeding programs after calving
Nutrition with Barry Yaremcio
Cows and bred heifers require 25 per cent more nutrients after calving than during late pregnancy. Milk production peaks eight weeks after calving. Feed intake increases until 12 weeks after calving. The increased feed intake is the result of the digestive system expanding to fill the space that was occupied by the fetus and reproductive […] Read more

Sask. livestock drought program extended
Ten RMs added to area eligible for per-head payment, application deadline lengthened
Governments have expanded and extended the Canada-Saskatchewan Feed Program available to the province's livestock producers. Ten rural municipalities have been added to the area eligible for the initial $150 per head payment, and the application deadline has been extended to March 15.