Photo: Thinkstock

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures ease as ranchers push forward marketing amid drought

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures eased on Tuesday, pressured by softening cash cattle prices as ranchers trim herds amid prolonged drought in the Southern U.S. Plains. “Marketing is getting pushed forward. Cows are being sent to market because of herd liquidation,” said Doug Houghton, technical analyst at Brock Capital Management. […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market experiences calm before upcoming storm

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Once again, overall volumes were limited, with small strings and singles moving through auction barns. The quality was quite variable and offbeat stragglers were quite common. Buyers incorporate a risk discount on these cattle; therefore, prices do not represent […] Read more


Photo: File

U.S. livestock: Gains in cattle futures limited by smaller cattle on feed placements

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures firmed on Monday as drought conditions across the U.S. Southern Plains continue to degrade grazing land, though gains were limited by smaller-than-expected declines in feedlot placements, analysts said. Ranchers have been pushing cattle into feedlots at higher rates as parched grassland struggles to support herds, […] Read more

Lower beef production means higher prices

Lower beef production means higher prices

As the U.S. herd contracts, this is the year for Canadian producers to increase numbers

During the latter half of June, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $170-$173 f.o.b. the feedlot in southern Alberta. The market was up $2 to $3 from 30 days earlier. Prices were marking fresh 52-week highs as feedlots in Western Canada contend with a backlog of market-ready supplies. The fed cattle […] Read more


Jared Epp speaks to the crowd at AiM 2022 about stock dogs and herding. (Liam O’Connor photo)

Lessons on stock dogs from Ag In Motion

'Our dogs do understand that they're worthy'

Ranchers, and perhaps even dog owners, gathered around the Cattle Pen at Ag in Motion on Wednesday to learn about stock dogs and what makes them tick. Jared Epp from the Saskatchewan Stock Dog Association led that day’s demonstration and drove home four main points: showing leadership is key, the appearance of the dog doesn’t […] Read more

Federal Ag Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau (r) visits the Ag in Motion outdoor farm show near Langham, Sask. on July 20, 2022. (Greg Berg photo)

Ag ministers lock in next policy funding framework

AgriStability compensation rate to rise; new EGS program planned; some agmins decry feds' approach on fertilizer emission cuts

The new federal-provincial ag policy funding framework due to take effect next April 1 will include a new ecological goods and services plan and a sweetened compensation rate for AgriStability. Following meetings this week in Saskatoon, federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and her provincial and territorial counterparts on Friday mapped out the bones of their […] Read more


CME October 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures end higher on firm beef prices

Futures up before new USDA figures released

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Friday, supported by strong beef prices and positioning ahead of U.S. government reports released after the close of the market, traders said. CME August live cattle futures settled up 1.65 cents at 137.375 cents/lb. and most-active October ended up 2.025 cents at […] Read more

Sea Temple of Pura Luhur, Uluwatu, south Bali, Indonesia. (CIA.gov)

Indonesia’s foot-and-mouth outbreak prompts international measures

'Viral fragments' detected in meats brought into Australia

Reuters — Australia and New Zealand say they’ve stepped up protections against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) at their international airports following an outbreak of the disease in Indonesia. Travellers arriving in Australia from Indonesia will now be asked to walk across sanitation foot mats at airports, the latest measure to ramp up Australia’s biosecurity measures, the […] Read more


CME August 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20- and 100-day moving averages (pink and brown lines) and CME’s cash lean hog index (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures end mixed

Cash markets lift August hogs; live cattle lower, feeder cattle up

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures closed mixed on Thursday, with the front August contract gaining against back months as a heat wave in the Midwest and Plains helped support nearby cash hog prices, traders said. CME August lean hog futures settled up 1.425 cents at 116.3 cents/lb. while most-active October […] Read more

CME August 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20-day moving average (pink line) and CME lean hog index (black line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures climb, following cash markets

CME live cattle inch up in lacklustre trade

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures closed higher on Wednesday, supported by firm cash markets tied to tight supplies of hogs, traders said. Hot weather in the U.S. midsection added support, posing potential disruptions to the transport of animals. CME August lean hog futures settled 2.05 cents higher at 114.875 cents/lb. […] Read more