The return of drought in U.S. cattle-producing areas is delaying ranchers' plans to expand production after the nation's herd shrank to its smallest level in seven decades, farmers and analysts said.
Beef Cattle
Return of US drought delays cattle-herd rebuilding, hurting Tyson Foods
Finding ideal scrotal size important in sire purchasing
Animal Health: Be careful not to buy a bull with too large of a scrotal size
If there’s something the market desires, there’s no doubt that purebred beef breeders can make it happen. A few years ago we did notice breed averages for scrotal size coming up a bit, so the minimum accepted scrotal sizes were adjusted up just a bit (one centimetre) in some cases. I think that is about […] Read more
Cyle and Erika Stewart
Outstanding Young Farmers 2024: Efficiency, sustainability and resilience are priorities when ranching during a long dry spell
Cyle and Erika Stewart say developing an efficient beef herd and managing pastures to optimize use of available forage during consecutive years of drought conditions has been the priority for their family-run ranching operation in southern Saskatchewan. The Stewarts, who own and operate Pine Ranch along with Erika’s parents Bill and Terry Strande, say they’ve […] Read more
Lorin, Barry and Daniel Doerksen
Outstanding Young Farmers 2024: The cattle’s performance on grass and forages becomes part of the beef’s story at retail
What started out as a plan to supply a niche market in the beef industry has over the past six years turned into the focus for a fourth-generation southeastern Alberta ranching operation. For the Doerksen brothers of Gemstone Cattle Company at Gem, Alta., about an hour north of Brooks, putting some of the efficient beef […] Read more
Tristan and Aubyn Banwell
Outstanding Young Farmers 2024: How this ranch moved from traditional commercial channels into direct organic meat marketing
Spray Creek Ranch in southwestern B.C. has the land, the livestock, a well-established market and even a new abattoir built on the farm. Now it just needs a butcher. The organic direct-to-consumer meat business that Tristan and Aubyn Banwell have built over the past 10 years on their ranch, near Lillooet, is still flourishing as […] Read more
Pencil out the investment in a background feeding program
Better Bunks and Pastures: Knowing the numbers can help dictate whether calves should be sold or retained
As most of the leaves have fallen, many spring calves are being weaned. It’s also the time when many people determine whether their weaned calves are immediately sold or held back for further feeding. Record-high prices, especially on the weaned calf side of the market, should have everyone penciling out the feasibility of continued backgrounding […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market holds at higher levels
For the week ending November 2, Western Canadian yearling and calf markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Strong demand continues to support the feeder complex at historical high prices.
U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract highs as strong demand fuels rally
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures set new contract highs on Friday as strong domestic and export demand, particularly for U.S. pork bellies and ham, drove the market upward, analysts said. Live cattle futures touched a one-month low, while feeder cattle recovered after reaching the lowest price in more than five […] Read more
Feed Grain Weekly: Barley, corn in southern Alberta on par with each other
Feed barley and corn imported from the United States are currently trading at the same price into southern Alberta, said Lethbridge-based Darcy Haley, vice-president of Ag Value Brokers.
Klassen: Western Canadian calf market surges
For the week ending 26, Western Canadian calf markets were up $8-$12/cwt on average compared to seven days earlier. Pee-wee calves were up $20-$25/cwt compared to the prior week. Finishing feedlot operators were active buyers in all weight categories while backgrounders were cleaning up on smaller packages of calves under 550 pounds.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
