Beef Cattle & Production Tips

Klassen: Feeder cattle markets erupt

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News May 8, 2017

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $10-$13 above week-ago levels and in some cases as high as $20. Buying interest exploded early in the week as adverse weather wreaked havoc across the U.S. southern Plains. Demand for replacements continued to intensify as the fed cattle prices surged. Alberta packers experienced strong competition from buyers south […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Fixing fractures in cattle is doable

Early attention to treatment can often get the critter back on its feet

By Heather Smith Thomas May 3, 2017

Accidents happen. Sometimes a cow steps on her calf, breaking its leg, or a limb fractures due to extensive or improper pressure applied during a difficult calving. Veterinarian Eric Laporte, with the Bonnyville Clinic at Bonnyville, northeast of Edmonton, says he doesn’t see as many dystocia-related fractures now as in the past, due to better […] Read more

Teresa Mann, general manager for Lakeland College’s purebred herd, grooming a heifer at Canadian Western Agribition.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Young cattle producers talk industry future

They are really just beginning their careers, but they're ready for the challenges ahead

By Lisa Guenther May 3, 2017

As a fifth-generation producer, Chad Hollinger faces some of the same challenges as his great-great grandparents, plus a few new ones. Hollinger, who is in his late 20s, farms with his father and grandfather near Neudorf, Saskatchewan, cropping about 3,700 acres of grain land and running 250 head of commercial and purebred Angus. “Our land […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder cattle prices surge

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News May 1, 2017

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices once again traded $3-$5 above week-ago levels, with shorter-keep quality cattle as much as $8 higher. Historically strong feeding margins, along with triple-digit gains in the futures market from Wednesday through Friday, set the positive tone. Feedlots that were holding back on purchases finally stepped forward, pushing the market to […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Hard to beat the value of good colostrum

Calf Management: Watch for blood infections such as septicemia

By Heather Smith Thomas April 26, 2017

Calves sometimes develop systemic infection in which bacteria or their toxins get into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Some types of toxin-forming bacteria (usually gaining entrance to the body via the GI tract, after damaging the gut lining and slipping through it) cause rapid death. The calf goes into shock when internal organs […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Reuters

Cargill to exit U.S. cattle feeding business

By GFM Network News April 26, 2017

Chicago | Reuters — Cargill said on Wednesday it will exit the business of feeding cattle to direct capital toward other investments, the latest transformation for the global commodity trader. Minnesota-based Cargill struck a deal to sell its last two feed yards to ethanol producer Green Plains for US$36.7 million, after selling other feedyards to […] Read more

(Regis Lefebure photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Beef Cattle, Hogs, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs surge on stocks data, strong pork demand

By GFM Network News April 25, 2017

Chicago/Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures climbed for a second day on Tuesday, with some contracts surging more than 3 percent, on bullish pork stocks data and seasonal buying, traders said. Prices climbed from the opening bell as the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported tighter-than-anticipated U.S. stocks of frozen pork and the tightest […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feedlot operators aggressively bid up feeders

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News April 25, 2017

Western Canadian feeder cattle continued the upward trend trading $5 to $8 above week-ago levels on average with higher quality feeders as much as $12 higher. Alberta packers were buying cattle near $177 on a live basis, which is about $35 above breakeven pen closeouts. Ongoing strength in the fed cattle market set a positive […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Hogs, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Live cattle drop from one-year peak, hogs rise

By GFM Network News April 24, 2017

Chicago/Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle fell on Monday in a profit-taking setback after notching one-year highs for four straight days last week, traders said. Larger-than-expected cattle placements in a monthly government report issued after the market closed on Friday added pressure to start the week, with deferred contracts posting the steepest declines. “The […] Read more

If producers see scours early in very young calves, they may need to vaccinate the cow so she can give the calf immediate protection.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Protecting calves through vaccination

Best to consult with veterinarian on what’s right for your farm

By Heather Smith Thomas April 21, 2017

Newborn calves gain temporary (passive) immunity from disease when they ingest colostrum, since this “first milk” contains antibodies. After a few weeks or months this temporary protection diminishes, so calves must build their own immunities. Vaccinating at the proper time can help protect them until weaning age. Vaccinating them too soon, however, may not stimulate […] Read more

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