Texas and Oklahoma are suffering the worst drought in decades. July was the hottest month ever recorded in Texas and the 12 months ending July 31 were the driest since record keeping began in 1895. The drought slashed the size of the winter wheat harvest earlier this year and is pushing cattle into feedlots because […] Read more
News
Will southern plains farmers plant wheat in parched soil?
FCC cites optimism for $1.6 billion rise in loans
As Canadian farm debt continues to climb to a record $66.3 billion last year, Farm Credit Canada is happy to be one of the engines for that growth. In its annual report to Parliament, the Regina-based crown corporation said its loans outstanding in the fiscal year ended March 31, increased almost eight percent or $1.6 […] Read more
Afraid of the vote
Why is it that agriculture minister Gerry Ritz and his buddies are so afraid of allowing farmers a vote on the future of the Canadian Wheat Board? The fact that this right has been legislated into law by Parliament doesn’t seem to register with these guys. I guess it really should come as no surprise […] Read more
U of S, POS Bio-Sciences link
The University of Saskatchewan and POS Bio-Sciences of Saskatoon have agreed to work together to get as many new commercially valuable technology products to market and to share in the benefits of that commercialization. The memorandum of agreement now in place helps streamline the process by providing a framework that will speed progress on several […] Read more
Canfax Report – for Aug. 18, 2011
FED PRICES HIGHER A weaker Canadian dollar and rising U.S. cattle and beef prices lifted Canadian fed prices last week, despite the volatility in stock markets. The Canfax fed steer weekly average was $105.41 per hundredweight, up $3.72 and heifers were $105, up $3.79. Alberta rail steers were $175.50-$177. Beef demand rose as retailers ordered […] Read more
Domestic beef demand falling
The global outlook for improved meat demand is promising but in North America the beef industry is flat lining. “Export demand is positive, which in part is offsetting declining domestic demand,” said economist Bill Helming at the international livestock congress held in Calgary Aug. 10. A grim economic picture has a direct impact on the […] Read more
New cattle strategy urged
If North Americans eat mostly ground beef, then cattle producers should give them what they want and forget about trying to feed every animal to the top quality grade, a cattle market analyst suggests. In 1970, ground beef comprised 42 percent of consumption in the Unite d States and by last year that changed to […] Read more
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Aug. 18, 2011
WP LIVESTOCK REPORT PORK RECORD SET Cash hog prices in the U.S. held steady, but might face pressure lower as numbers increase seasonally and cooler weather allows better weight gain. However, strong pork exports to China will keep a floor under prices. Canadian prices were supported by the weaker loonie. Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs delivered […] Read more
Vet explains proper way to vaccinate, castrate
Proper vaccination and castration are two of the most important chores for feedlot operators when processing new arrivals, according to Dr. John Campbell, the head of large animal clinical science at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Campbell discussed two different types of vaccines in a presentation to a group of students at the Western […] Read more
Feds to put value on CWB end
After years of vowing to kill the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly and months after setting Aug. 1, 2012, as the execution date, the Conservative government wants to find out what it will cost. Agriculture Canada is advertising for an audit to prepare two reports that determine how much taxpayers will be on the hook for […] Read more
