cattleman on a horse

CCA Report: A successful annual meeting

From the April 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) enjoyed a hectic and successful annual general meeting in Ottawa March 8-10. I am always impressed by the quality and breadth of work produced by CCA staff, work which is, of course, central to the discussions that occur at the committee meeting level, and followed by the debates at the […] Read more


Fall feeder cattle outlook

Fall feeder cattle outlook

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen, from the April 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Feeder cattle prices have been percolating higher since November 2016 and I’ve received many inquiries regarding the price outlook for the fall of 2017. The U.S. cattle herd is moving through an aggressive expansionary phase while the Canadian cattle inventory has remained relatively stagnant. The year-over-year increase in feeder cattle numbers south of the border […] Read more

Comment: Ontario banks on branding

It was near the end of the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) meeting and Sylvain Charlebois, the well-known food researcher from Dalhousie University was wrapping up his talk on changes in consumer buying habits. One final questioner asked him if he had any suggestions for the best way to convince consumers of the value of […] Read more


Stepping up to wheat-based finishing diets in cattle

Stepping up to wheat-based finishing diets in cattle

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

Grain-based diets improve feed efficiency, but increase the risk of rumen acidosis. Rumen acidosis occurs when rumen pH drops below 5.6 for more than three consecutive hours. Severe or chronic acidosis is an animal welfare concern due to rumen damage, liver abscesses, lameness, and an economic cost due to compromised feed conversion and growth performance. […] Read more

Manitoba aims to increase its beef herd

Manitoba aims to increase its beef herd

Associations: News Roundup from the March 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) head into this year with hopes of expanding the provincial cow herd, preparations being made to deal with full traceability, and plans to lobby for fairness to producers as governments move forward with plans for a carbon tax. The association is also preparing for the introduction of the $2.50 per head […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Brazil beef scandal leaves fewer options for global buyers

Chicago | Reuters –– Global beef buyers will likely need to cobble together supplies from several nations if a scandal persists in Brazil’s meat sector because supply constraints and politics are already limiting trade flows, market analysts said Monday. China suspended imports of all meat products from Brazil, the world’s top beef exporter, as a […] Read more


closeup of a cattle in a field

Trump delivers trade blows

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

President Trump quickly shattered any final hopes U.S. cattle producers had that he would relent on his pledges to withdraw the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership or leave NAFTA alone. Now they and other ag groups will have to persuade the administration to open up export markets in other ways as quickly as possible. Many […] Read more

(Cia.gov)

Ag groups tout potential of trade pact with China

Canadian ag commodity groups expect to make a case for freer trade with China during consultations now underway alongside Ottawa’s talks on a possible free trade deal with Beijing. Federal Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Friday announced public consultations, running until June 2, following last September’s announcement of “exploratory discussions” on a free trade agreement […] Read more