Grid sales now account for at least two-thirds of all sales reported to USDA by Kansas cattle feeders.

Grid sales grow for beef cattle

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay

The U.S. beef industry for many years wrung its collective hands about the declining negotiated cash market for live cattle. Organizations such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and its predecessor spent countless hours in public and private meetings trying to find ways to improve sales without interfering with the market. That they largely failed […] Read more

Both cattle feeders and packers have found Alternative Marketing Agreements advantageous to making money.

NCBA musters packer procurement data into framework

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

I’m sure you all up North have noticed the Great Counter-Intuincy we have down here in the States. Don’t look the term up. I just invented it. But whatever common sense would intuitively indicate, our presidential administration makes the counter move. If natural gas and propane and fertilizer prices are way too high, consider shutting […] Read more


Meat packers face labour crisis

Meat packers face labour crisis

Prime Cuts with Steve Kay

American beef processors and possibly those in Canada face a labour shortage that might be the worst in the two countries’ history. Ironically, U.S. beef processing margins are record large for this time of year. But labour constraints mean slaughter levels are lower than they should be to handle the available supply of fed cattle. […] Read more

The overriding bone of contention at this year’s NCBA mid-year meeting came down to one word — legislation.

Dittmer: NCBA hashes out negotiated cash marketing

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

The last year’s events had converged by this year’s NCBA mid-year meeting, ensuring drama for the Live Cattle Marketing Committee meeting. Folks from across the country and all industry segments were disturbed about market disruptions from the Tyson fire; market disruptions, processing problems and shutdowns due to COVID-19; government market investigations and the reintroduction of […] Read more


A woman herds cattle near Livingston, Montana. Market research shows that building on the credibility ranchers already hold is crucial to increasing consumer confidence.

Market research reveals opportunity to educate U.S. beef consumers

Building on the public’s trust in farmers and ranchers key to communicating humane treatment of animals and increasing consumer confidence

Now more than ever, consumers are indicating they care about animal welfare in livestock production. However, the average consumer has little knowledge of beef production. In the United States, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) conducted focus groups as part of its market research to understand what consumers believe about beef production. Participants who considered […] Read more

“The problem with the dietary guidelines talking about sustainability is you have nutrition experts without any sustainability expertise.” – Shalene McNeil, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Keeping beef on the plate

Concerns about beef’s place in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are prompting the largest beef organization in the U.S. to advocate for a focus on nutritional science

The latest diet trends have shone a spotlight on protein, and for good reason. The emphasis on protein in popular programs such as the keto diet provides an opportunity for beef to stake its claim as the top choice for consumers wanting more protein. “The more we get protein on their radar, the importance of […] Read more


The recently announced changes to animal transportation regulations are among CCA’s priority topics

CCA Report: Animal transportation regulations, alternative protein labels, Fisheries Act and trade

From the June 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is working on several fronts to ensure the priorities of beef producers are top of mind with lawmakers in Ottawa before Parliament adjourns for the summer. The CCA is advocating for change on crucial regulatory matters to ensure the perspective of Canada’s beef industry is heard and considered by government. […] Read more

The CRSB’s Certified Sustainable Beef Framework sets out the standards for sustainable beef production that must be met by both producers and processors to become certified.

CCA Report: CCA talks trade at U.S. events

From the March 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) has been dealing with a number of pressing issues on behalf of beef producers as the new year gets underway. Trade, of course, always occupies a significant portion of our time, so while that has not changed, circumstances within the U.S. administration are creating renewed uncertainty for industry to try […] Read more


CCA Report: Busy semi-annual meeting

From the September 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

August was another busy month on several fronts, with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) 2018 semi-annual meeting held in London, Ont., in conjunction with the Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC). The meetings got underway against a backdrop of concerns about weather across the country and its impact on farms back home. Hot and dry weather […] Read more

Comment: What caught my eye in London

[UPDATED: Oct. 12, 2018] This past month started off with a bang at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in London, Ont. No doubt you’ve read yards of material about the three-day event but I wanted to pass on some of my observations as I moved from one event to another while it was still fresh […] Read more