(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle trade at 52-week highs

New-crop feed grain values under pressure

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded steady to $2 higher with exceptional demand noted on steers over 700 pounds. Calf values were mixed in Alberta with markets trading $2-$4 on either side of unchanged; however, prices were steady to $4 higher in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Small groups of various quality characterized the feeder […] Read more

Mature cattle are most likely to experience a magnesium deficiency especially when grazing immature cool-season grasses and lush early growth. They are less able to quickly mobilize magnesium from their bones to meet the body’s needs, and also have a reduced ability to absorb this mineral.

Grass tetany relates to magnesium deficiency

It goes by many names and has many causes

Springtime brings risk for metabolic and nervous system problems brought on by acute magnesium deficiency. This condition has been called tetany, grass staggers, milk tetany, lactation tetany, winter tetany, wheat pasture poisoning, crested wheatgrass poisoning, barley poisoning, and perhaps others. It mainly affects mature cattle grazing lush forage and is due to deficiency of magnesium […] Read more






Photo: Canstock

U.S. livestock: Hog futures rise as traders cover short positions

Chicago | Reuters – CME Group hog futures firmed on Friday as traders covered short positions after prices fell 5.6 percent over the last two sessions, though demand concerns capped gains. A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report showed that pork export sales in the week ended June 16 totalled 27,600 tonnes, unchanged from a week earlier. […] Read more



U.S. livestock: Hog futures retreat from two-month high; cattle also fall

Chicago | Reuters – CME Group cattle futures fell on Wednesday, as surprise deliveries in Texas showed that cash market supplies were higher than expected, traders said. Hog futures were lower, snapping a streak of four straight higher closes as traders locked in profits from the market’s move to a two-month high. CME July lean […] Read more


CME July 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20- and 50-day moving averages (pink and brown lines) and CME cash lean hog index (purple line). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures rise to two-month high

CME cattle futures mixed

Chicago | Reuters — CME hog futures rose to their highest in two months on Tuesday as slowdowns on processing lines raised concerns about tightening supplies. Cattle futures were mixed, with feeder cattle contracts firming as falling corn prices improved prospects of cheaper feed and strong profit margins for packers. Live cattle contracts ended slightly […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Barley price forecasts enhance feeder cattle demand

Recent rains nearly guarantee at least average yields

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged. Heifer and steer calves were quoted steady to $3 lower on average but the market was harder to define due to limited numbers. Small packages of calves of various quality resulted in the wide-ranging price structure. Buying interest for grassers appears to have subsided. […] Read more