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

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


cattle in a feedlot

A year of green grass and more

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay: from the January 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Another year has begun and expectations on both sides of the border are for a decent year. Cow-calf producers hope for a mild winter but enough snow to produce a lot of green grass this spring and a good calving season. Cattle feeders hope to see more feeder cattle and a more stable live cattle […] 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


Veronica McGuire, executive director of the CFIA’s regulatory and trade policy program.

Mandatory premise ID on CFIA agenda

It is one of the provisions included in planned amendments and regulations

Over the next couple of years, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is moving to improve the effectiveness of Canada’s Livestock Traceability System by nailing down where all classes of livestock are produced, what type of animals they are and where they move. In regulations now being developed, both premise identification and animal movement are […] 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


Practical ways to reduce our use of antibiotics

Practical ways to reduce our use of antibiotics

The livestock industry has made great strides in addressing the topic of antimicrobial usage and indirectly lessening the opportunity for the formation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. From veterinarians setting treatment protocols to cow-calf and feedlot producers implementing effective coping strategies, progress is being made in minimizing the incidence of disease and thus reducing the need for […] Read more

CCA Report: More market access for Canadian beef

From the October 24, 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

There have been a number of great successes in breaking down barriers in international markets recently that beef producers should take stock of. In September, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met in Ottawa with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and announced that China will allow bone-in Canadian beef from cattle under 30 months of age (UTM) effective […] Read more


CCA Report: Cattle transport rules need to remain science based

CCA Report: Cattle transport rules need to remain science based

From the October 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Fall is always a busy time for beef producers, as they manage through the fall calf run and make herd management and culling decisions. Producers consider a number of factors, including the outcomes of the harvest on their own farm, the farms they buy feed from, and if there is enough feed overall to winter […] Read more

rancher on a horse cattle in background

CCA Report: Reasons for optimism

From the August 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

If there was ever a time for optimism in the beef industry, it would have to be now. Positive developments in market access over the summer months are of practical as well as symbolic importance. Fully restored access to Mexico and the resumption of trade to Taiwan are important as every gain in market access supports […] Read more