The largest factor influencing beef demand is consumer spending.

Consumer spending calls the shots on cattle prices

Market Update: History shows U.S. cow-calf producers need one year of historical high prices to trigger large-scale herd expansion

U.S. and Canadian cattle prices have been trading near historical highs over the past couple of months. Feedlot margins have been hovering in positive territory throughout the summer. Demand for yearlings and calves has been unprecedented as finishing operators reload for another round of feeding. After consecutive years of financial struggles and drought, cattle producers […] Read more

 Photos: Courtesy Chris McCullough

From feeding calves to milking sheep

Germany’s EuroTier farm show showcases all kinds of new equipment and technology geared for livestock production. While the biennial event was cancelled during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, it was back in business for the 2022 show. The four-day event held in Hanover drew about 106,000 people from 141 countries. While attendance numbers were down […] Read more


Whether they are domestic or wild species, producers need to be aware that there can be some risks with the co-mingling of different species with cattle.

The pros and cons of pasturing species together

Thoughts about running cattle, bison, sheep, horses et cetera on the same piece of land

It can be a challenge to weigh the benefits and risks of running species such as beef cattle, sheep, bison and horses together on the same pastures, especially if feed is short. The pros and cons can be difficult for you and your veterinarian to address. While usually it is not a problem, there can […] Read more

The fillies we are going to keep are enjoying their new pasture.

Haying begins, bulls are brought home

Eppich News: U.S. friends make a summer visit to the farm

June and July flew by in a hurry. There was lots of summerfallow to be worked, and then haying started in late June. In between everything, we finally got a few fences checked and mended. Gregory went around the neighbours’ little pasture fence July 8 and early the next week I was able to move […] Read more


The look, feel and smell test are a pretty good indicator of silage quality, but under variable growing conditions it is recommended feed be tested to determine feed value and make sure there are no harmful toxins.

Balancing variable corn silage quality to a ration

Dairy Corner: Always recommended to start with a feed analysis to know what you have

I am amazed on how each summer differs in Manitoba. Two summers ago, we had severe drought, last summer was extremely wet and this year started with record heat, then cooled down to night-time single digits. Luckily, temperatures picked up again, all the while with spotty thunderstorms. Such climatic difference presents a patchwork of knee-to […] Read more

Haying season gets underway, a tribute to a great-granddaughter

Haying season gets underway, a tribute to a great-granddaughter

Warranty was applied to replace a bull bought last year

June 20 Two weeks ago, after the doctor here checked Dani’s baby, they were sent to Community Hospital in Missoula to be checked and monitored overnight (see ‘Tribute’ at bottom). Ammarie was doing better by next day so Andrea brought them home. Later that week we had a vet look at Barney, our new bull. […] Read more


Beef cattle bunching

Delivering a knockout punch to pinkeye

There are several tools that help reduce the risk of disease outbreak

Summer is not over and the pastures are full of flies, so when I drive down the highway and see cattle bunched up in a pasture, they are either trying to get away from the heat or from these annoying pests. One of the most notorious pests is the face fly, the leading culprit for […] Read more

Retail beef prices continue to hold value near historical highs while restaurant spending has exceeded expectations.

U.S. cattle herd continues to contract

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Expect one more year of high calf prices before expansion begins

Alberta fed cattle prices softened in July due to an increase in market-ready supplies and weaker wholesale beef prices. During the first week of August, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in southern Alberta at $235/cwt fob the feedlot. This is down from the mid-June record high of $246/cwt. At the same time, wholesale choice […] Read more


It was sort of a happy accident that the manhole creating access to waterline connections had to be dug a bit deeper. It provides more room for working. The manhole casing is a 40" diameter culvert, about 14 feet long.

Well manhole is comfortable for work

Dug a little deeper than planned, and also outfitted with a cover

Who would have ever thought that finding a big rock in a hole being dug would prove to be helpful? A neighbour was helping us to put in the manhole access for our water well when the backhoe hit the big rock. The manhole is a place big enough for someone to get into to […] Read more