Livestock Management
Many hog farmers were able to jump on the recent rally in hog prices before it ended. The rally has ended, but the relief from the unexpected run up has allowed many weanling producers to continue. “It may encourage some people to make decisions other than what they were thinking about,” said hog producer Garry […] Read more
Livestock Management
Weanling demand sends prices up
Ritz deflects food safety criticisms
Six months after an independent commission recommended an overhaul of Canada’s food inspection and safety system, virtually nothing has happened, food inspector union and consumer leaders complained last week. Both agriculture minister Gerry Ritz and Canadian Food Inspection Agency executive vice-president Brian Evans said the allegation is wrong. “My view is that there have been […] Read more
U.S. cattle numbers down; tight supply will slow cull
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The United States cattle herd continues to shrink. Liquidation has occurred in 12 of the last 14 years and the result is the smallest cattle herd since 1959. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s semi-annual cattle inventory report released Jan. 29 lists the cattle herd at 93.7 million head Jan. 1, one […] Read more
Moose Jaw plant part of XL Foods plan
SASKATOON – The XL Foods beef slaughter plant in Moose Jaw, Sask., is still part of the company’s long-term plan, says co-chief executive officer Brian Nilsson. However, the facility has to be more competitive before it re-opens, he told a beef industry conference. The plant has been closed since last April after the company said […] Read more
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Feb. 4, 2010
Pork fell sharply after setting a 16 month high the previous week. That and an ample supply of hogs pressured U.S. hog prices lower. Worries continued about the U.S.-Russia chicken trade dispute that could force more chicken on the domestic U.S. market. U.S. and Russia may be close to a deal that could restart exports […] Read more
Canfax Report – for Feb. 4, 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. Steers traded from $76.75-$78.20 per hundredweight live and $126-$127.85 on the rail, while heifers traded $76.85 live […] Read more
Canada exporting water through meat sales: thesis
Livestock and meat exports to the United States mean Canada is exporting billions of litres of water south each year, argues an environmental analysis prepared at the University of Waterloo. In an environmental studies master’s thesis, Nabeela Rahman argued that the “virtual water” exports are a hidden environmental cost of the North American Free Trade […] Read more
West has ample supply of large animal vets: official
The president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association says there are enough large animal veterinarians practising in Western Canada to meet current needs. Julie de Moissac, who has served as CVMA president since last June, said the livestock industry is being served well and, contrary to some suggestions, vet students in the West are eager […] Read more
Pork: nature’s Viagra?
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) – Argentine president Cristina Fernandez is recommending pork as an alternative to Viagra, saying she spent a satisfying weekend with her husband after eating pork. “I’ve just been told something I didn’t know, that eating pork im-proves your sex life,” she said. “I’d say it’s a lot nicer to eat a […] Read more
Fine cut forage meets cattle producer demands
BRANDON – Cattle producers have been asking for a finer cut in their bale shredders. Haybuster’s new 2655 two-bale processor should give them what they want. “Some people have problems with coarse cut hay bridging in the mix wagons, so that’s a purely mechanical reason for wanting a finer cut,” said Haybuster representative Nick Rempel. […] Read more
