Weak beef exports are a concern

Weak beef exports are a concern

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay, from the May 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Mexico and Canada in 2015 were, respectively, the No. 1 and No. 4 volume destinations for U.S. beef exports. So it’s no understatement to say that the integrated North American market is vital for the health of the U.S. cattle/beef industry. It thus came as something of a shock that exports the first two months […] Read more

Canada sets the bar for feedlot animal care

Canada sets the bar for feedlot animal care

Buttons were bursting with pride at the National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) with the recent release of the first national certified program in North America for assessing the care of beef animals in backgrounding and finishing operations. Officially known as the Canadian Feedlot Animal Care Assessment Program, it is an auditable seal of approval for […] Read more


Beef Watch: U.S. cattle herd expanding, Canadian herds stabilized

Beef Watch: U.S. cattle herd expanding, Canadian herds stabilized

Prepared by the staff of Canfax and Canfax Research Services, divisions of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

The U.S. herd is expanding, while the Canadian beef cattle herd has stabilized. Cattle prices have peaked and producers are now watching to see how far and how fast prices will drop with more pounds of protein available in North America. This will be largely determined by domestic and international demand, which were very strong […] Read more

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Assessing the first quarter – cattle inventories disappointing

News Roundup from the May 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

At the end of the first quarter the domestic steer slaughter was down 2.3 per cent while the domestic heifer slaughter was down 9.1 per cent. That doesn’t tell us much until we factor in live slaughter steer and heifer exports. The sex of fed cattle slaughter exports is not known until closer to year-end, […] Read more


CCA Report: The pressing issues of beef and forage research, traceability

CCA Report: The pressing issues of beef and forage research, traceability

From the May 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Research plays an integral role in achieving a competitive Canadian beef sector. In addition to investment in research and research infrastructure, other key factors include fully funding programs that help producers manage risk, investing in infrastructure, securing access to high value and growing markets, Canada’s regulatory operating environment, and ensuring access to sufficient labour. The […] Read more

Chasing carcass quality not as easy as it looks

Chasing carcass quality not as easy as it looks

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

This is an interesting time of year when one looks at feedlot placements. Most of last year’s yearlings are gone, with fall-placed calves well into their feeding program. As well, many lots have tried to keep pens full by bringing in short yearlings that were backgrounded over the winter or in some cases by feeding […] Read more



cow with ear identification tag

Comment: Traceability, again

In his column in our May issue of Canadian Cattlemen, Dan Darling of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association raises a red flag over the traceability regulation Ottawa plans to Gazette by the end of this year. Well, maybe not, according to Darling. His basic message is that the cattle industry can’t implement what Ottawa wants and remain […] Read more


(JBSsa.com)

JBS posts large loss, announces reorganization

Brasilia | Reuters –– Brazilian meat packer JBS posted a much larger-than-expected first-quarter loss on Thursday, but its shares jumped the day after it announced a corporate reorganization to bring together international operations. JBS, the world’s biggest meat packer, lost 2.741 billion reais (C$1.02 billion) on currency hedging costs and poor results on the company’s […] Read more