Beef Cattle & Production Tips

The Flokk hand held transponder reads the electronic ear tag, but also can hold a wide range of information about each animal in the herd.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

New herd record-keeping technology being tested

A simple hand-held device collects on-the-go information

By Heather Smith Thomas April 19, 2022

Modern technology has provided some easy methods for keeping accurate track of cattle. Flokk is one new system for beef herd management and traceability reporting, and is currently undergoing initial testing. It’s designed for the cow-calf producer — large or small. Bill Leask, a rancher near Dog Pound and Mark Olson of Carstairs, two communities […] Read more

To keep this calf growing and healthy, this cow needs a properly balanced diet so she can produce milk but also maintain or re-build her own body condition so she is ready for re-breeding in a few weeks.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Keeping calved cows in top condition

Four producers describe their cow-feeding program once calves hit the ground

By Peter Vitti April 13, 2022

I took this photo of a beef cow that had just calved in a drylot holding area. She is in good shape and health so I would expect that once her newborn calf is up on wobbly legs, it will get its first taste of colostrum. Within the next few hours, this new mom will […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feedlots value feeders on finished cattle price projections

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News April 12, 2022

Compared to the week ending March 2, western Canadian yearling prices were $3-$5 lower on average. Mid-weight replacements in the range of 650-800 lbs. were down $8-$12. Steer calves under 650 lbs. traded steady to $5 lower. Heifer calves under 650 lbs. were also down $8-$12. The market was hard to define for heifer calves […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Steady fed cattle market supports feeder complex

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News April 5, 2022

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $2-$4 higher on average while calves were steady to as much as $5 higher. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $273-$275 delivered; live prices were quoted at $161 f.o.b. the feedlot. There is a severe backlog of market-ready […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

U.S. congressmen seek revival of mandatory COOL on beef

Bipartisan bill calls for WTO-compliant take on label law

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News April 2, 2022

A bill that would order U.S. officials to come up with a way to bring back mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) on beef has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Lance Gooden, a Republican from Texas, and Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, on Wednesday introduced H.R. 7291, proposing to restore the […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock

Quebec group seeks to sue beef packers over pricing

Group's class-action application alleges price-fixing dating back to 2015

By Geralyn Wichers, GFM Network News March 30, 2022

A Quebec consumer protection group intends to launch a class action lawsuit against four major beef processors in Canada and the U.S., alleging a “meat pricing conspiracy.” “At a time of high inflation, it is unacceptable to make the price of beef even more expensive than it already is,” Sylvie De Bellefeuille, a lawyer for […] Read more

CME December 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market showing strength in deferred positions

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 29, 2022

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were $3-$5 lower on average while calves traded steady to $4 lower. Outside central Alberta, the steer-heifer spread appeared to widen by $2-$4. Strength in corn futures contributed to the defensive tone. Feedlot operators buying hand-to-mouth have been caught off guard with the recent jump in feed […] Read more

In all of Western Canada, total beef cows as of January 1, 2022 were 3.089 million head, down only 23,500 head from last year. This isn’t significant enough to say that producers liquidated cows due to the drought. This is a minor change due to market influences.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Stats Can survey updates the beef numbers

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Drought impact was less than expected, but what will the war in Europe mean to beef markets?

By Jerry Klassen March 25, 2022

Feeder cattle prices across Western Canada have been quite volatile due to geopolitical issues. I’ve received many calls from cow-calf producers and backgrounding operators regarding the timing of feeder cattle sales. Prices have varied significantly from week to week. For example, the price of 600-pound steers in Alberta varied recently by as much as $15 […] Read more

You need some patience, but the positioning of this cowboy to the side of the heifer will gently encourage her to move forward without a lot of yelling and stress.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Make use of portable corrals on pasture

Weaning and timely vaccinations can be done without bringing the herd home

By Heather Smith Thomas March 24, 2022

Using portable equipment (some of which is not new but hasn’t been mainstream in the cattle industry) such as portable corrals or a “Bud Box” can make handling much easier when cattle are in large range pastures, says Dr. Tom Noffsinger, a Nebraska veterinarian. Having proper facilities makes it much easier to sort and load […] Read more

Understanding bull EPDs is important when making selection decisions, and Roy Lewis asks if there should be some adjustments made to scrotal circumference measurements.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

A few key points on producing livestock

Animal Health with Roy Lewis: A mixed bag of things to consider, and important topics to discuss with your local vet

By Roy Lewis March 22, 2022

With my training and experience as a veterinary practice owner, later in the pharmaceutical industry and also as a beef producer myself, I question things from several different angles. If there is a more practical, safe or cost-effective way of doing things, that’s the road I take. When veterinarians give advice. it’s also important that […] Read more

GFM Network News

CFIA says regulatory changes will cut agricultural red tape

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle hit record high on tight supply, strong cash prices

ICE Canada Weekly: Canola poised to slip below C$600/tonne

Beef Cattle