GFM Network News

More News →

Cattleman’s Corner

beef
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

How tariffs could influence cattle prices

The Markets: A 10 per cent tariff on Canadian cattle could be absorbed by U.S. consumer prices

By
During the first couple weeks of January, auction markets in Western Canada experienced a surge in sales as cow-calf producers increased selling prior to the Trump inauguration. Feeder cattle markets have been trading at record highs, which may have contributed to the feeder cattle liquidation; however, most cattle producers were selling in anticipation of U.S. […] Read more
The Hicks family’s calving pastures
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Calving season: Timing and transition

Beef producers talk about their motivations for changing calving timing

By
For many cow-calf producers, calving season is a favourite time of year. After waiting 283 days, farmers are finally able to see the result of their breeding decisions as well as welcome a new crop of animals that will likely become a large portion of their annual revenue. Looking at survey data over the past […] Read more
Darren Wolchyn says the use of solar power on Smart Paddock’s ear tags sets the product apart from others.
Cattleman’s Corner, Equipment, Livestock

GPS system for cattle brings individual animal management to the range

Smart Paddock can measure behaviour of animals far from home

By
An Australian company with a Canadian connection, Smart Paddock won the Rising Star category in the Canadian Animal AgTech innovation competition at Agribition in late 2024. Smart Paddock’s founder and chief executive officer, Darren Wolchyn, moved his family from Alberta to Australia and ended up working on GPS-tracking golf carts. Ranching friends in Alberta suggested […] Read more
Spring projections are for continued lower placements in feedlots.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

Tighter fed cattle supplies projected for second quarter

The Markets: The trend has been toward fewer cattle in feedlots across North America in late 2024

By
At the time of writing this article, April 2025 live cattle futures were trading just above $197, which was a fresh contract high. The market appears to be incorporating a risk premium due to uncertainty in beef production in both Canada and the U.S. This has provided Alberta feedlot operators opportunities to lock in favourable […] Read more
Cattle grazing on a range infested with velvet lupine in eastern Washington state. Producers will want to know in advance about any potentially hazardous plant life before turning cattle out on unfamiliar land.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Prevention and responsibility can be shared

Animal Health: Crop growers and cattle producers can benefit by working together

By
In writing for the past several years for Grainews it was nice trying to create articles that had application to the cattle, grain and mixed farmers out there. Better long-term solutions are created by looking from both sides of the fence at a problem. These create win-win situations, where both sides of a deal, trade […] Read more
cattle grazing corn
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Corn

Corn fields emerge as good forage for overwintering beef cows

Better Bunks and Pastures: Cows will need supplements to make sure they get balanced nutrition while grazing corn

By
Corn fields grown especially for overwintering beef cows are a patchwork across our Prairies. Whole corn plants can provide substantial nutrition to maintain precious body condition of gestating beef cows. Yet, nobody should open the gate to any field and allow cows to stampede into it. That’s because there are still some issues in order […] Read more
When a heifer calves, she’s hopefully worth at least as much as when she was a bred heifer — and probably retains that value for at least a couple of years.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Flipping cow depreciation on its head

Costs of Production: Open cows have a huge effect — especially when they are two-year-olds

By
I am keenly interested in cow depreciation and in fact have written about it in past Grainews columns. It is one of the largest direct expenses on a cow-calf operation — usually only behind feed — and it is worth touching on again in the wake of current record-high prices. First as a reminder, Figure […] Read more
feedlot strathmore alberta
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

Feeder cattle prices should remain at historical highs in 2025

The Markets: Heifer retention is expected this year in both Canada and the U.S.

By
At the time of writing this article in the latter half of December, U.S. and Canadian feeder cattle prices were trading at or near historical highs. I’ve received many inquiries from cattle producers regarding the price outlook for feeder cattle in 2025. The benchmark for the western Canadian feeder market is central Alberta. During December […] Read more
Gregory cut the slough hay and I followed right behind with the baler. The slough hay will be used on really cold days for extra feed or bedding.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Forages

Fall work, a visit from family, then snow

Eppich News: The last of the slough hay finally was baled just before the snow arrived

By
The weather was very nice for the end of October and the beginning of November. We had quite a bit of fall work and different projects to do. On Nov. 6 the last of the summerfallow was worked before winter. That same day, Gregory started working on the fence over at Landis. There had been […] Read more
As cattle have gotten larger, their requirements for water grow.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Larger cattle need more water

Animal Health: Long-term trends in the beef sector continue to evolve

By
The only constant is change and I have seen a lot of changes in beef production; this article will outline some of them. With lots of evidence of warmer summers, water access is paramount in most of our eyes. There’s more capacity for access by all classes of cattle, including from newly designed water troughs […] Read more

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Sept. 5, 2025

Sponsored By:
More Videos →

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast

Latest Market News

More Market News →