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Columns

Fed cattle prices are expected to trend lower from October 2024 to December 2025.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

Cattle market vulnerable to slower economic growth

The Markets: Watch consumer trends for indications of a beef price slowdown

By
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $425-$428/cwt delivered in mid-August. Live prices were quoted at $255/cwt (US$186), f.o.b. feedlot, in southern Alberta. The fed market has come off the summer highs as demand eases moving into the fall period. Monthly restaurant spending on both sides of the […] Read more
Fresh basil still in the garden.
Columns, Farm Life

Harvest, part 1: Garnishing summer greens

First We Eat: In the dog days of summer, salads with protein can help dial down the heat needed for food prep

By
We’ve been in deep summer heat for weeks now after a rainy spring, and every plant in my yard — including the quack grass and chickweed — is consumed with the green fuse of growth. The result is a cornucopia of everything. The scarlet runner beans and snow peas twining around their bamboo stakes tower […] Read more
Hoof strength problems are one area where the use of chelated minerals could make sense.
Cattleman’s Corner, The Dairy Corner

Strategic use of chelated minerals makes financial sense

Dairy Corner: There are specific cases where chelated minerals should be used in dairy diets

By
In the last couple of years, I’ve noticed most dairy lactation diets contain a fortified level of chelated trace minerals. When I ask dairy producers why they feed them over conventional ones, they often say they don’t know or their nutritionist thinks it’s a good idea. There is nothing technically wrong with feeding chelated trace […] Read more
Jeff Schoenau.
Columns

Schoenau receives inaugural Les Henry Award

The late Les Henry announced the award’s first recipient earlier this year

By
Jeff Schoenau, a University of Saskatchewan professor and Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program Chair in soil nutrient management, is the first recipient of the Les Henry Award. Henry, a renowned Grainews columnist, Saskatchewan soil scientist and professor emeritus at the university, died earlier this summer. He selected Schoenau to receive the award in April. […] Read more
Stocks do pay more than bonds, for those of us prepared to manage the pain and suffering stocks can wreak en route to that payoff.
Columns

What good are bonds?

Bonds and Risk: The price for the greater security bonds provide is that they do pay less on an historical basis compared to stocks

By
Bonds have long been scorned by investors lured by the seemingly higher returns of stocks. To be honest, on a historical basis, comparing returns over decades, stocks do pay more than bonds — but those stocks pull off this feat with much more pain and suffering. With the higher reward goes the higher risk. For […] Read more
Using a life-sized mannequin and actual grain, CASA shows how a person amounts to just a few bushels relative to the weight of the grain flowing around them.
Wheat & Chaff

Successful grain rescue shows value of training, awareness

Program demonstrates ‘reality and severity’ of grain entrapment

By
Grain entrapments don’t often have happy endings. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case for a grain entrapment on Feb. 9 in east-central Alberta. Chris Krushel, fire chief for the Edgerton Emergency Services Department, says a man had entered a grain bin to clean it when he became caught in the grain. Thankfully, another person was present […] Read more
As I’ve already experienced with telcos, declining profitability often leads to declining service levels.
Columns, Home Quarter Investing, Markets

Can Canada’s banks and telcos maintain as reliable performers?

Investing for Fun and Profit: Also includes an update on the latest status of the Titanium Strength Portfolio

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This is my 100th column over the past six years for Grainews. I hope you’ve enjoyed the wit and wisdom, albeit limited, and that my musings helped your off-farm investing success. This is also the first column written following the May 15 anniversary of the Titanium Strength Portfolio (TSP). At its outset, the purpose was […] Read more
cow and calf
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

How to manage two similar livestock pharmaceuticals

Animal Health: Subtle differences can give one medication an advantage over another

By
This article provides some clarity for when new products or combinations of products come onto the market. These days all antimicrobials, NSAIDs and a few other products are prescription products and most come under the VCPR (veterinary-client-patient relationship). The two products in this case have already been on the market for years, but now, with no […] Read more
One plant can have many aliases. Scarlet mallow, a native prairie wildflower, is also referred to as salmon pinks or “cowboys’ delight.” Biologists generally use Latin plant names to avoid common name confusion.
Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Plants and their identity crises

A Little Bit Western: One person’s weed is another person’s useful and cherished plant

By
Like many farmers and ranchers, I’ve always been curious about plants. After all, we are surrounded by plants, and humans depend on them for everything from food and forage to fibre and fun. Throughout the growing season, as interesting plants pop up in ditches, fields and pastures, I get texts, tweets and messages with photos […] Read more
The bull in the middle of the room is the opposite of that old saying about the weather: no one wants to talk about it, but everyone wants to do something about it.
Columns, Farm Life

How to ‘discuss the undiscussabull’ ™

Seeds of Encouragement: If you feel you should have permission to ask for what you need, here it is

By
Twenty years ago, at coaching school, I embraced a Beanie Baby bull as the metaphor for the “bull in the middle of the farm kitchen” which no one wants to talk about. My “tools for talking about tough issues” can help you navigate the hot days of August on the combine, grain cart, pasture or […] Read more

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