Beef Cattle & Production Tips

Here we see a cover crop grazing blend at the Ag in Motion farm show near Langham, Sask., in 2023.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Forages

Grazing cover crops shows soil health dividends

Livestock producers see the benefits but say they could really use more information

By Melissa Jeffers-Bezan January 12, 2024

Glacier FarmMedia — If you’ve wondered whether livestock producers are taking a different approach to cover crops than those growing them for the grain — and are seeing distinct benefits in doing so — the surveys so far say yes. Callum Morrison, a crop production extension specialist for Manitoba Agriculture at Carman and a master’s […] Read more

File photo of cattle on feed near Champion, Alta., about 75 km north of Lethbridge. (James_Gabbert/iStock/Getty Images)

Beef Cattle, Markets

Klassen: Cattle producers anxious about 2024

No sales the first week of 2024 as markets assess inventory, plan strategy

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News January 9, 2024

The holiday break for the cattle market is analogous to an the intermission between periods of hockey game. Feedlot operators assess inventory and to focus on the market structure. They’re planning their purchase strategy for the next couple months.

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Feed Grain weekly outlook: Corn, barley on level ground

High Canadian dollar behind lower corn trading

By GFM Network News December 28, 2023

Prices for Canadian feed barley and United States corn imports reached parity as the feed grain market took a breather between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

This old trough, no longer useable for water, was repurposed into an inexpensive feeder for the bulls. Tucked into the corner of the fence with a bit of reinforcement, it can easily be refilled as needed.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Pasture

A handy inexpensive feed bunk

A repurposed water trough and other fencing materials were all put to good use

By Heather Smith Thomas December 15, 2023

This fall, we decided to let our two yearling bulls out of the corral for winter and have them eat down some willows. Last winter, we created a new little pasture by clearing out the trees and willow bushes, then piling and burning them in hopes of growing more grass. We grazed that new pasture […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Cow-Calf

Providing proper mineral mix the first step to meet cattle nutrient needs

It's one thing to put it out there, but another to make sure they eat it

By Peter Vitti December 15, 2023

Many commercial cattle minerals can be fed on a free-choice basis to gestating beef cows until calving. But even the best of these products fail if cows don’t eat enough, or engorge themselves. Mineral intake problems must be corrected quickly so cows can either maintain or build a mineral (and vitamin) status which contributes to […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Year-end buying interest boosts feeder market

Feedlot operators gearing up for shortfall in overall numbers in the first half of 2024

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News December 12, 2023

Strength was noted in calves under 650 pounds while feeders over 700 pounds were relatively unchanged. Larger packages of weaned quality genetics were $8 to $10 higher in some cases.

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market bounces on lower volumes

Feedlot operators believe yearling numbers will be down in March and April

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News December 5, 2023

Strength was noted in Manitoba and Saskatchewan while a softer tone was evident in Alberta. Once again, buyers shrugged off the weaker feeder cattle futures and the focus was on filling year-end orders. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlots are carrying larger numbers but there appears to be sufficient bunk capacity available to sustain the price structure.

As consumers run short of disposable income in 2024, it is expected there will be a reduced demand for beef.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

USDA increases beef production forecasts

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: All factors suggest the winds of market change are beginning to blow

By Jerry Klassen December 4, 2023

Alberta fed cattle prices during November were averaging $385/cwt on a dressed basis, down $5/cwt from 30 days earlier. Live prices f.o.b. feedlot in southern Alberta were quoted in the range of $228/cwt to $230/cwt, the lowest since May. The market has come under pressure as U.S. beef forecasts for the first half of 2024 […] Read more

File photo of cattle in an Alberta feedlot. (Geralyn Wichers photo)

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Strong demand continues to support feeder market

Significant downside risk ahead

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News November 28, 2023

For the week ending Nov. 25, western Canadian yearling prices were $4-$8/cwt lower compared to seven days earlier. However, calf markets were firm trading $5-$8/cwt on either side of unchanged compared to values quoted a week prior. Optimal weather in southern Alberta caused major feedlot operators to stretch their hands across the Prairies. At the […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Canadian feeder buyers ignore weaker futures market

U.S. feedlot placements up four per cent

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News November 21, 2023

For the week ending Nov. 18, western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3-$5/cwt on either side of unchanged compared to seven days earlier. Buyers appeared to shrug off the weaker futures market and the defensive tone from a week earlier evaporated. Eastern Prairie markets were firm, with larger packages of quality cattle trading a solid […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures spike, hogs mixed

U.S. grains: Soybean ease on harvest pressure, competition from Brazil

Russia’s top agriculture official blames low global grain prices for export slowdown

Beef Cattle