
Tag Archives beef production

Cattle hides take a tanning
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
Cattle hides for many years added up to US$60 to the value of a fed steer or heifer and accounted for two-thirds of the value of all byproducts. But hide prices and the value began eroding in 2018 and have not recovered. Now the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed any improvement in hide prices and the […] Read more

Passion for raising cattle brings youth to Canada
Young Australian producer drawn to Canada for opportunities to benefit her herd back home
No matter where in the world you travel, family is at the heart of agriculture. Above the main show ring at Canadian Western Agribition in 2019, Ruby Canning was taking a short break in the International Business Centre. Backpack and camera at her side, the young Australian lit up when she talked about how much […] Read more

Beef producers share insights into certification programs
Two beef producers talk about why they decided to certify their operations and the differences between the VBP+ and EU certification programs
Canadian beef producers are rightfully proud of the cattle they raise. Due to the care they provide their animals and their environmental stewardship, this country’s farmers and ranchers produce arguably the best beef in the world. Increasingly, producers are turning to certification programs like Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) and various European Union (EU) certifications […] Read more
A broad perspective on nutritional science
Any discussion of the merits of grass-fed beef invites scientific comparison to grain-fed beef. One noteworthy difference between the two production systems is how long it takes to finish an animal. “Because of the lower energy density, it typically takes longer for animals to reach slaughter weight when they’re grass-fed,” says Dr. Tim McAllister, principal […] Read more

Reduced shifts, closures see cash cattle prices sink
The Markets with Deb McMillin, from the May 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Fed cattle Fed cattle cash prices in recent weeks have moved sharply lower as uncertainty in the market continues to drive live cattle futures lower. Reduced packing plant shifts and temporary closures across North America in recent weeks have pressured the market. Disruptions to consumers’ lives and livelihoods have shifted consumer spending. Product demand at […] Read more

Klassen: Feeder market experiences fortuitous bounce
Last week, the feeder market started on a very sluggish tone. Buyers were sitting back waiting for the market to establish direction. By Friday, yearling prices were up $2-$4 compared to seven days earlier, while calves were trading $4 to as much as $8 above week-ago levels. Cow-calf producers and backgrounding operators have been holding […] Read more

Will the U.S. have enough beef?
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
A valid question arises when considering the latest supply and demand dynamics for the U.S. beef industry. Will it have enough beef to supply an expected increase in exports to its major market, Japan, and to emerging market China? The U.S. has spent years developing export markets in virtually all corners of the globe, notably […] Read more

Fed cattle market outlook
Market Talk with Jerry Klassen
Alberta fed cattle prices reached up to $275 on a dressed basis during the first half of January but have since come under pressure. At the time of writing this article at the end of January, Alberta packers were showing bids in the range of $262 to $265 delivered. April live cattle futures reached contract […] Read more

Klassen: Calf prices divorce from yearling markets
Compared to last week, yearling prices were steady to as much as $4 lower depending on the region in Western Canada. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at an average price of $252 on a dressed basis, down $6-$8 from last week and down about $20 from the last week of January. Weakness in fed […] Read more

Alberta beef industry calls for regulatory change
Policy: News Roundup from the February 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
While the Alberta beef industry has been competitive relative to the U.S., regulations and costs imposed by all three levels of government could dampen that competitiveness in the future, according to a recent report commissioned by the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association and Alberta Beef Producers. The study focused on the beef industries in Kansas, Nebraska […] Read more