Chicago | Reuters - The total number of U.S. cattle fell to its lowest level since 1951 as of Jan. 1, in the herd's fifth consecutive year of decline, U.S. Department of Agriculture data showed on Wednesday.
Dairy cattle
Total US cattle herd drops to lowest level since 1951 – USDA
Easing dryness could encourage ranchers to begin rebuilding beef herds
First-of-its-kind cattle methane limiter approved for Canada
Enteric methane emissions from cattle contributes 3.3 per cent of Canada’s total GHG emissions
A feed ingredient designed to reduce methane emissions in beef and dairy cattle has received market authorization in Canada.
Sask. livestock drought program extended
Ten RMs added to area eligible for per-head payment, application deadline lengthened
Governments have expanded and extended the Canada-Saskatchewan Feed Program available to the province's livestock producers. Ten rural municipalities have been added to the area eligible for the initial $150 per head payment, and the application deadline has been extended to March 15.
Britain pauses talks on Canada free trade deal over agriculture
The talks are among negotiations launched after Britain left the European Union
Britain has suspended talks on a free trade deal with Canada amid unhappiness on both sides about the lack of access to agricultural markets, Canadian officials said on Thursday.
Alberta expands livestock drought recovery supports
Only a narrow band of the province remains exempt from the aid program
The 2023 Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance initiative, funded through the AgriRecovery framework by the federal and provincial governments, offers payments of up to $150 per head to livestock producers who have 15 or more animals per type of livestock, and have altered usual grazing practices for more than 21 days due to drought.
One dead, two injured as French farmer protests spread
Farmers union says road blocks won't be lifted until government action on economic, regulatory concerns
Protesting farmers blocked roads across France on Tuesday and there was one fatal accident, as their unions urged the government to ease its drive for lower consumer prices and reduce environmental regulations.
Is it time for beef cow herd expansion?
Prices for calves have been strong, but it usually takes a year of high calf prices before expansion starts
Feeder cattle have been trading near historical highs over the past six months. I’ve received many emails and inquiries from cattle producers asking if there is still an opportunity to expand their herds. Producers also ask if they should buy now or wait until spring. Medium-quality bred cows have been trading in the range of […] Read more
World food price index ends 2023 some ten per cent below 2022 levels
Cereal prices, vegetable oils slumped most over the year, FAO says
The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) price index, which tracks the most globally traded food commodities, averaged 118.5 points in December, down 1.5 per cent from November and 10.1 per cent below December 2022 levels.
US reopens key rail crossings between Texas and Mexico
American, Mexican agriculture groups express relief
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said operations resumed at 2 p.m. ET at the international railway crossing bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas. The closures had prompted alarm from railroads, the agriculture industry and some lawmakers over the economic impact to halted export trade.
There’s a reason if cows aren’t chewing their cud
It's important to look at the structure of fibre in the ration
This fall I visited three similar dairies milking between 100 and 150 cows. It was about 10 a.m. in two barns (different days) and midafternoon in the third. In each case I noticed less than 10 per cent of resting cows (three-quarters were lying down) were not chewing their cud. I reviewed the TMR in […] Read more