Livestock Management
CHICAGO, June 2 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures Tuesday settled mostly weaker on profit-taking and the morning’s soft wholesale beef prices, traders said. The reversal of a trading strategy known as bear spreads implemented on Monday propped up the June contract and further pressured August futures. June closed up 0.150 cent per […] Read more
Livestock Management
LIVESTOCK-CME live cattle close mostly weak; hogs lower
LIVESTOCK-CME live cattle futures rally on discount to cash prices
CHICAGO, June 1 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle closed higher on Monday and erased Friday’s losses, supported by short-covering and futures’ discounts to last week’s cash prices, traders said. June closed 0.825 cent per lb higher at 153.150 cents, and August rose 0.875 cent to 152.150 cents. “They (traders) can’t fight the discount,” […] Read more
Cattle, hog futures sag on Friday
By Theopolis Waters CHICAGO, May 29 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed lower on Friday, pulled down by profit-taking in response to the day’s sharp drop in wholesale beef values, traders said. June closed 1.175 cents per pound lower at 152.325 cents, and August fell 1.475 cents to 151.275 cents. Friday morning’s […] Read more
Bison weighed on the way to watering hole or feeder
Putting animals through a chute can cause stress, leading to weight loss
PENHOLD, Alta. — A new low-stress bison weigh scale trial has already proven successful, says one of the project organizers. The scale allows bison to be weighed simply by walking to water or eating at a mineral feeder. “We’re quite encouraged by the bison walking over the weigh scale in a non-stressful way,” said Jayson […] Read moreSelf auditing your farm’s procedures
An experienced objective outsider can identify changes to improve cattle management procedures. The changes might be prompted by new advancements, or perhaps old habits have become antiquated. For whatever reason, an experienced producer, nutritionist, pharmaceutical representative or herd veterinarian may identify deficiencies by observing cattle at key processing times. The deficiencies may then be easy […] Read more
Livestock losses to wolves rising in B.C.
MERRITT, B.C. — Wolves are taking a bite out of British Columbia livestock. The B.C. Cattlemen’s Association’s 2014 cattle loss survey reported 553 confirmed kills by wolves and another 249 losses by other predators. “B.C. is home to a great abundance and diversity of wildlife. Too much of a good thing can be a problem […] Read more
Aboriginal land claims threaten grazing leases
B.C. cattle producers worry the pending settlements could decrease their land value
MERRITT, B.C. — Some British Columbia ranchers are learning that their grazing agreements could change as more aboriginal land claim settlements are completed. Roger Patenaude, a rancher from 150 Mile House, has learned that one-third of his grazing tenure is under claim, although the final agreement could take years to settle. In the meantime, he […] Read moreMeat council calls for unified inspection, safety rules
OTTAWA — The Canadian Meat Council wants an end to the two tiered meat inspection system. “We believe that the best option for reducing interprovincial barriers and promoting trade of meat products in both Canada and export markets would be to terminate the existence of a two tiered system of food safety regulations and inspection […] Read more
Parasite resistance studied
Western Canadian sheep producers are being asked to volunteer their flocks for the next phase of a research project involving sheep parasites and parasite resistance to common treatments. Alberta Lamb Producers issued a recent call to members asking those with more than 60 ewes to participate. Last summer, researchers Michel Levy and John Gilleard of […] Read more
CME live cattle futures shrug off early weakness
By Theopolis Waters CHICAGO, May 27 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle closed higher on Wednesday after initial selling, helped by short-covering and futures’ discounts to last week’s cash prices, traders said. June closed 0.675 cent per pound higher at 152.475 cents, and August ended up 0.800 cent at 151.425 cents. Last week, most […] Read more
