Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association 2017 board of directors. Front row (l to r): Rick Toney (vice-chair), Gull Lake; Bill Jameson (past chair), Moose Jaw; Levi Hull (executive member-at-large), Willowbrook; Joe Jackson, Moose Jaw; Arnold Balicki (finance chair), Shellbrook. Middle row (l to r): Laurie Disney, Rockglen; Bill Huber, Lipton; Brad Welter, Viscount; Paula Larson, D’Arcy. Back row (l to r): Mike Spratt, Melfort; Ryan Beierbach (chair), Whitewood; Garret Hill, Duval; Chad Ross, Estevan; Keith Day, Kyle; Ryder Lee (CEO). Missing are Dean Moore, Paradise Hill, and Harold Martens, Swift Current.


Saskatchewan will introduce new national levy after April 1

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

The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association’s upcoming year will continue to revolve around connecting with producers and consumers. “It’s many little things that add up,” says Ryan Beierbach, who was returned by the board for a second term as chair. A regular e-newsletter providing expert speakers for special marketing meetings and the fall district meetings are new […] Read more

Market futures compared.

Reading feeder cattle futures markets

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

The feeder cattle market has experienced unprecedented volatility over the past couple of years. Steers averaging 600 pounds traded for over $300/cwt in September of 2015 but in February this year sold for $198. The erratic price action has caused cattle producers to take more interest in hedging feeder cattle and the Western Livestock Price […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle drop on cautious feedlot demand

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $8 below week-ago levels as feedlot managers anticipate growing beef supplies during the late spring and summer. Heavier weight categories absorbed the brunt of the selling pressure, with backgrounding operators liquidating fall-placed calves. Certain groups of higher-quality heifers held value with the purpose of […] Read more

Prepare for spring rally on barley and feed grains

Market Talk with Jerry Klassen

Southern Alberta feedlots were buying feed barley in the range of $160/mt to $165/mt delivered over the past month; central Alberta operations were showing bids from $155/mt to $160/mt. Southern Manitoba feed mills have been buying barley with low vomitoxin levels from $155/mt to $165/mt but overall barley usage is limited in this region. Feed […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices lukewarm on mixed factors

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were steady to $2 higher compared to week-ago levels. All weight classes experienced lukewarm buying interest, despite improving margins in the feedlot sector. Most auction barns experienced minimal numbers; cow-calf producers are holding back on sales hoping for stronger values and extreme cold temperatures hindered cattle movement, especially in the […] Read more


Grounds for a failed feedlot audit

Grounds for a failed feedlot audit

Canadian feedlot animal care assessment — Part 7

Animal neglect generally brings to mind images of pets and farm animals lacking adequate feed, water and shelter. While these are serious acts of neglect, so too is trying too hard to keep failing animals alive. The Canadian Feedlot Animal Care Assessment Program places “failing to euthanize a distressed animal in a timely manner” at […] Read more

Concerns with feeding off-grade grain

Concerns with feeding off-grade grain

Nutrition with John McKinnon, beef cattle nutritionist

In the September issue of Cattlemen, the title of my column was “Another crazy year for growing hay.” In that column I looked at some of the trials and tribulations that hay producers faced this past summer. Looking at this year’s harvest, you can’t blame grain producers for thinking that a similar dark cloud hangs […] Read more



Cattle feeders’ woes continue

Cattle feeders’ woes continue

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

Cattle feeding is always a risky business. But no one foresaw the collapse in U.S. live cattle prices for the second fall in a row. One can only hope that by the time you read this, prices have put in a bottom and are on the rebound, however modest. The same applies for Canadian prices. […] Read more