(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Optimistic fed cattle outlook supports feeder market

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 higher. Strong demand was noted on yearlings, which spilt over into the lighter weight categories. Major feedlot operators in Alberta set the price structure, with aggressive orders flowing across the Prairies. Some operators have been holding back on purchases due to higher prices; however, […] Read more


A Western blot analysis, used to detect specific proteins in tissue samples, is used to confirm BSE in cattle. (Peggy Greb photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Brazil’s ag ministry investigating suspected BSE case

Evidence suggests 'atypical' BSE, source says

Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazil’s agriculture ministry said Wednesday it was investigating a suspected case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the country, according to a statement. An industry source told Reuters, on condition of anonymity, that the suspected case occurred in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. The ministry said such investigations are […] Read more

File photo of a steak sandwich with chimichurri sauce at a street food market in Buenos Aires. (Aleksandr_Vorobev/iStock/Getty Images)

Argentina extends beef export cap, stoking farm tensions

Move seen as 'giving markets to other countries'

Buenos Aires | Reuters — Argentina extended beef export restrictions until the end of October on Tuesday, stoking tensions with the powerful farm sector as the government seeks to bolster domestic meat supply to help contain rising food prices. The move comes months before key mid-term elections, with centre-left President Alberto Fernandez keen to avoid […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Stronger live cattle futures lift yearling market

Recent rains rejuvenate Prairie pastures

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were quoted $3 to as much as $6 higher; calf markets once again traded $3-$5 on either side of unchanged depending on the region. Unbridled buying interest was noted on larger groups of high-quality yearlings. Despite the grass conditions this summer, cattle characteristics are rated above average […] Read more

File photo of a platter of sliced raw beef served in Singapore for use in shabu-shabu, a Japanese-style hotpot dish. (Kenneth Chew/iStock/Getty Images)

Singapore clears all Canadian beef for import

Country first to lift BSE-era restrictions under new status

Canada’s new official international status as a “negligible risk” country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy now has its first recognition from a beef-importing nation. Singapore has approved the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s certificate for exports of all Canadian beef, including beef offal, with no restrictions on the age of the cattle from which the beef was […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Strong demand underpins yearling market

Western Canada will be seeking U.S. corn

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were unchanged to as much as $4 higher in some cases; calf markets traded $2-$3 on either side of unchanged as prices were quite variable across the Prairies. Major feedlot operators were extremely aggressive for yearlings. Larger groups of one-cut cattle were very well bid. April live […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. livestock: Cattle end mostly lower; hog futures narrowly mixed

Chicago | Reuters – Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed mostly lower on Friday on technical selling and lackluster cash cattle trade this week, traders said. CME benchmark October live cattle settled down 0.375 cent at 128.125 cents per pound, and September feeder cattle futures ended down 0.475 cent at 163.075 cents […] Read more


Photo: File

U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures rise after U.S. cuts beef production forecasts

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures rose on Thursday as the U.S. Department of Agriculture reduced its forecasts for domestic beef production. The agency, in a monthly report, trimmed its estimate for 2021 U.S. beef production by 0.1 percent from July to 26.965 billion pounds due to lighter expected carcass weights. The production forecast […] Read more

(Darcy Maulsby/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs end mostly higher on bargain buying, cattle drift lower

Chicago | Reuters – Lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed mostly higher on Wednesday as bargain-buying and firmer wholesale pork prices helped the benchmark October contract rebound from a one-month low set a day earlier. CME October lean hogs settled up 1.975 cents at 85.850 cents per pound and December hogs rose […] Read more