(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Plans afoot to move hay from East to drought-hit West

CFA, BFO spearheading Hay West-style initiatives

Farm groups are spearheading new plans to get livestock feed from Eastern Canada to drought-damaged regions of the western provinces and northwestern Ontario. Details are still pending, but the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) announced Aug. 12 it has started work on a “Hay West” initiative to get surplus hay “to those struggling in the […] Read more

CME October 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle, hogs drop in broader commodities sell-off

Investors take 'risk-off' approach, U.S. dollar surges

Chicago | Reuters — Cattle and hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange fell on Thursday, tracking broader market pressure amid worries about global growth and despite rising prices for beef and pork, traders said. Crude oil fell to its lowest levels since May and the U.S. dollar surged to a nine-month high, as rising […] Read more


Lurking nitrates and noxious weeds threaten to be yet another fly in the ointment as livestock producers continue to struggle for every scrap of annual crop or hay they can get their hands on.

Feed hazards lying in wait

Feed testing an absolute must for cattle producers sourcing greenfeed, straw: experts

Glacier FarmMedia – Cattle producers are urged to get greenfeed and straw tested for potentially deadly nitrates this year. “Basically, we know there’s going to be nitrates in some of the feed. Especially cereal,” said Jo-Lene Gardiner, who works with the Border Agriculture Stewardship Association and is a cattle farmer in the Clearwater area. “It’s […] Read more

CME October 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle up on firm cash market, beef prices

Speculative buying, cash pork prices lift lean hogs

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange firmed on Wednesday on higher cash cattle and beef prices, while feeder cattle gained as rains were forecast to hit drought-parched grazing pastures in the western Midwest and northern Plains, traders said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported moderately active cattle sales […] Read more


While it is important to be aware of risks associated with feeding canola forage, it may provide an alternate forage for drought-stricken livestock producers.

Drought-stressed canola possible forage for livestock

It can work as an emergency source, but some risks need to be managed

Drought stress has resulted in poor canola stands that are unable to be harvested. Poor canola stands may provide an alternate forage option. “Livestock producers facing forage shortages may be able to feed their cows canola, provided they take certain precautions,” says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “While canola makes palatable feed, it may […] Read more

CME October 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs, live cattle end lower on uncertain demand

'Labour availability' still an issue for packers

Chicago | Reuters — Lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ended lower on Tuesday on long liquidation and uncertainty about demand for various cuts of pork, traders said. Benchmark CME October lean hogs settled down 1.1 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at 87.9 cents/lb., retreating from Monday’s nearly three per cent rise (all […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Strong demand underpins yearling market

Western Canada will be seeking U.S. corn

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged to as much as $4 higher in some cases; calf markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged as prices were quite variable across the Prairies. Major feedlot operators were extremely aggressive for yearlings. Larger groups of one-cut cattle were very well bid. April live […] Read more

CME October 2021 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, brown and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs climb on strong cash

Live cattle also higher

Chicago | Reuters — Lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange rose nearly three per cent on Monday on technical buying and relatively strong cash hog markets, analysts said. CME’s benchmark October hog contract settled up 2.475 cents, or 2.9 per cent, at 89 cents/lb., pushing just above chart resistance at the contract’s 100-day […] Read more


Cattle graze near Dauphin, Man. in late July. (Manitoba Co-operator photo by Alexis Stockford)

Feds lock in AgriRecovery funds before election call

Ottawa's pledged share now up to $500 million

Just hours ahead of a federal election call, the federal government has committed $500 million to cover its share of federal/provincial AgriRecovery support plans for drought-hit farmers across Canada’s West. Shortly before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit Sunday to Rideau Hall seeking the dissolution of Parliament for a federal election, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau confirmed […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. confirms will boost food stamps by record amount

Washington | Reuters –– The U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) on Monday will announce revised nutrition standards dramatically boosting average food stamp benefits, the agency confirmed Sunday. The New York Times first reported the plan to unveil the largest permanent benefits increase in the history of the government’s primary anti-hunger program, saying the change would result […] Read more