Pasture Archives - Page 89 of 102

Cow-calf pairs grazing a very productive pasture that has made a tremendous comeback after 14 years of managed grazing.

Restoring vigour to tired pasture

This planned grazing system appears to be returning about $77 per acre

By Kim Nielsen March 7, 2016

When 4-Clover Ranch, near Rocky Mountain House, Alta. came into existence in 1992, there was one particular pasture close to the farmyard that the previous owner was reluctant to show us. He called it sodbound and needing a good plowing. I hesitated to follow his plowing advice as it had a good southerly slope and […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder cattle steady but demand remains sluggish

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 2, 2016

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded in line with week-ago levels on average, though the market was quite variable across the Prairies. Favourable temperatures in southern Alberta enhanced demand on all weight categories, especially on grassers from 500 to 650 lbs. Higher-quality backgrounded cattle were also $4-$8 higher in certain cases in Alberta. In Saskatchewan […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Crops, Reuters, Weather

Monarch population rebounds, still well off highs

By GFM Network News February 26, 2016

Austin, Tex. | Reuters — North America’s monarch butterflies are on a rebound and the number of the plucky orange and black creatures, which gather in Mexico before flying north to Canada, could soon stand at around 150 million, a new survey showed on Feb. 26. The survey from a scientist at Natural Resources Defense […] Read more

Columns

Stubble soil moisture, November 1, 2015

Les Henry’s annual soil moisture map gives us a true view of water availability

By Les Henry February 19, 2016

This map shows the best estimate of subsoil moisture from three inches to four feet. First — this is a map of general conditions in general areas. Do not get too hung up on the exact placement of lines. But, it is still very useful in planning for 2016 outcomes. With a soil full of […] Read more

There are miles and miles of microscopic fungi “root” hairs in this soil ball creating a vast network of pockets to capture water and create a microclimate for other microorganisms, protozoa, amoeba, bacteria and enzymes — all key elements in nutrient-cycling process.

Cattleman’s Corner

Soil fungi key to grass production

The soil is a complex world working hard to complete natural cycling

By Kim Nielsen February 19, 2016

We always enjoy the cattle on 4-Clover Ranch near Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. It was our own animals back in the day and now someone else’s are on the farm for summer grazing. Fact is, we are really grass farmers and have chosen to harvest the grass with cattle rather than the haybine. We have […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Machinery, Markets

Cargill to supply Alberta carcass data to BIXS

By Grainews Staff, GFM Network News February 19, 2016

One of Canada’s biggest beef packers is set to supply the specs on beef carcasses processed at its Alberta plant to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s (CCA) BIXS information-sharing system. Cargill and BIXSCo, the CCA-backed operators of BIXS (Beef InfoXchange System), announced Thursday that the multinational agrifood firm will provide its past three years of beef […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

Cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in January dip from last year

By GFM Network News February 19, 2016

Chicago | Reuters — The number of cattle moved into U.S. feedlots in January slipped one per cent from last year, according to a government report on Friday, nearly matching average industry forecasts. Feedlots were cautious about buying calves, or feeder, cattle while struggling to recoup 14 straight months of lost profits, partly blamed on […] Read more

DuPont’s headquarters in Delaware. (DuPont.com)

Crops, Reuters

DuPont, Dow set home towns for merged spinoff units

By Reuters, GFM Network News February 19, 2016

Reuters — DuPont and Dow Chemical said two of the three units to be created and spun off following the companies’ mega-merger will be based in DuPont’s home town, and one in Dow’s home town. The two chemical companies agreed to combine in an all-stock merger in December, valued at US$130 billion at the time, […] Read more

The Manitoba Wildlife Federation points to this bullet hole in a rural northwestern Manitoba home as an example of the risks to the public from unchecked night hunting. (MWF.mb.ca/Nightwatch)

Livestock

Manitoba hunters, ranchers seek rural night-hunting ban

By Grainews Staff, GFM Network News February 18, 2016

Manitoba’s hunter and rancher groups are calling on the province to tighten its enforcement against night hunting and ban the activity among all hunters in the province’s populated rural areas. The call Tuesday from the Manitoba Wildlife Federation follows a Sept. 10 near-miss in which a couple near Winnipegosis, about 60 km north of Dauphin, […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Lower fed cattle market pressures feeders

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News February 17, 2016

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were trading $5-$10 below week-ago levels on average last week. Fully weaned vaccinated calves were trading down $5-$8 while semi-weaned bawlers were down a solid $10. Shorter-keep replacements over 850 lbs. were down $8-$12 depending on flesh levels but harder-looking cattle were down sharply, as much as $15. Extremely cold […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle rebound on technical buying

U.S. grains: Soybeans fall as rapid harvest overshadows China trade hopes

Good weather pushes Alberta harvest along

Pasture