After heavy rains flooded his yard, a Saskatchewan farmer turned to a consolidation drainage and irrigation project to better manage water on his land. Here’s how it works — and how the WSA and funding help make it happen.
Beef cattle
Turning excess water into an asset with consolidation drainage
Farmers in the “prairie pothole” region are using its natural storage capacity to their advantage
U.S. livestock: Live cattle drop as beef prices, packer margins erode
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures fell on Wednesday on long liquidation by funds and as sinking beef prices and eroding packer margins weighed on the market. Feeder cattle futures also retreated in a technical correction after four consecutive sessions of gains that were fueled by concerns over tightening U.S. supplies. “We […] Read more
The glimmer of hope after a loss
Eppich News: The deaths of two people and one animal bring life into perspective
The unexpected loss of a prized stallion and the loss of two relatives — one who lived a long life, and the other taken too soon — results in reflection by rancher Heather Eppich.
Strong beef demand supports feeder cattle prices
The Markets: Yet-unknown impact of Trump tariffs on U.S. economy is a risk
Strong beef demand supports feeder cattle prices, but Trump tariffs’ effect on the U.S. economy could be a risk to Canadian cattle producers.
Blue-green algae toxicity can cause sudden death in cattle
Animal Health: Water quality is an important issue when the temperatures start to rise
Water quality for your cattle herd is an important issue when the temperatures start to rise. Work closely with your vet to diagnose the cause of any sudden deaths.
U.S. livestock: Hogs rally ahead of USDA report
Chicago lean hog futures rallied on Tuesday ahead of the USDA’s Hogs and Pigs report, due on Thursday. “The report may show a slight increase in total hog population, but analysts are speculating over what other stats may show and mean for futures prices,” the Wall Street Journal reported. The question is if producers expanded […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market slips off record highs
For the week ending September 20, Western Canadian feeder markets traded steady to $5/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. There were pockets where quality calf packages traded $10-$15/cwt below prices from the prior week. The October feeder cattle futures have been trading at $15/cwt premium to the deferred March 2026 contract. This inverse in […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures higher on screwworm news
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Monday after news that New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, was detected 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, analysts said. Analysts believed the news would mean the U.S.-Mexico border will be closed to feeder cattle imports for the foreseeable future. “It’s bullish […] Read more
Mexico confirms case of New World screwworm in northern state, USDA says
Mexico confirmed a new case of New World screwworm in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, less than 70 miles (113 km) from the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.
Metagenomics change how cattle diseases are diagnosed
Researchers are using metagenomics to identify disease impacting beef cattle through bacteria, pathogens and viruses
Canadian livestock researchers are now using metagenomics to speed up the identification of diseases impacting beef cattle through bacteria, pathogens and viruses alike.