Livestock Management
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Cattle producers spend a lot of money on bulls and should be sure they are getting quality for that investment. A breeding soundness exam is key, several speakers said at a recent bull selection workshop. John McKinnon, beef industry research chair at the University of Saskatchewan, said the exam, including a […] Read more
Livestock Management
Lackluster bulls are costly
Good year-round nutrition helps bulls get job done
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Bulls need attention even after they have finished their job in the breeding pasture. John McKinnon, beef industry research chair at the University of Saskatchewan, told a recent bull selection workshop in Moose Jaw that producers sometimes pull bulls from the pasture and then forget about them. “Don’t ignore the bull […] Read more
Stop bickering, Alberta cattle sector told
RED DEER – After a month on the job, Alberta agriculture minister Jack Hayden has delivered a no-nonsense message to the province’s beef industry. He said he expects the members of various groups within the industry to work through their differences and speak with unity. “The biggest challenge that I see is the dysfunctional relationship […] Read more
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Feb. 25, 2010
Hogs steady Pork prices rose last week, supporting cash hog values. Russia has banned pork from several U.S. plants because of traces of an antibiotic in the meat, but U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said last week the United States is close to settling that dispute. Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs delivered to plants were $49.50 […] Read more
FAO sees doubling of world livestock
The global livestock industry is expected to almost double in 40 years, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. In its annual report, which this year focused on livestock, the FAO said this increase would provide part of the answer to world hunger and poverty but also create development and environmental problems. The […] Read more
Tight feedlot supply pressures fed cattle futures price higher
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) – The number of U.S. cattle in feedlots is the lowest in seven years, helping to sustain a rally that began in early February. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Feb. 19 that 10.989 million cattle were in U.S. feedlots as of Feb. 1, the lowest for that date since 2003. “We […] Read more
Canfax Report – for Feb. 18, 2010
This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca. Fed cattle up Stronger cattle futures, storms in the U.S. that drove American cash prices higher and […] Read more
Cattle exports to U.S. down
WINNIPEG (Reuters) – Canada’s livestock exports to the United States continue to fall, even after last year’s freefall caused by the U.S. country-of-origin meat labelling law. Cattle exports to the U.S. fell 23.1 percent in the first 30 days of 2010 to 71,277 head, compared with January 2009, according the Canadian agriculture department. Hog exports […] Read more
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Feb. 18, 2010
Ewes in demand Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., reported 821 sheep and 187 goats traded Feb. 8. There was strong demand for the small supply of bred ewes and nannies. Feeder lambs are also in demand. Lambs lighter than 70 lb. were $162-$180 per cwt. Lambs 75 to 85 lb. were $155-$167, 86 to […] Read more
Demand from developing countries to perk up hog market
Most hog producers are not spending much time thinking about their long-term outlook. However, long-time pork industry leader Ted Bilyea says farmers have a reason to be optimistic about life after this crisis – if they do things right. “The world market will be there,” Bilyea said during the Manitoba Swine Seminar. “Whether you will […] Read more
