Beef Cattle & Production Tips

In this line of work, offspring are welcome on the job site.

A job interview for a cow

It is important to find out who is working for whom

By Sean McGrath March 17, 2020

I have heard the statement “My cows need to work for me.” This leads to the somewhat logical question of “If a cow works for me, what should a job interview look like?” and further what answers I should hope to hear. Knowing that cow depreciation and cow herd maintenance are the two biggest costs […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market digesting lower beef demand

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 17, 2020

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $12-$18; mid-weight calves were down $10 to as much as $15 while calves under 550 lbs. were down $4-$8. The market is incorporating a risk discount due to uncertainty in beef demand for the second and third quarters of 2020. Feedlot margins are in negative […] Read more

It takes a bit of time to understand the supply and demand influences  on fed cattle.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Back to Economics 101 for feeder cattle

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Look for key market numbers that help determine prices

By Jerry Klassen March 13, 2020

I receive many inquiries about the cattle market throughout the year, and in many cases, I realize the producer does not have a good handle on the fundamentals for beef or cattle. Supply-and-demand projections appear to be a foreign subject for many. For example, I’ve received many calls asking why the cattle price has to […] Read more

Taste-testing during a Canadian Beef Advantage Seminar in Shanghai in 2013. (Canada Beef via YouTube)

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Reuters

China proposes new standards on hormone residues in beef

New standards would apply to all beef exporters

By Reuters, GFM Network News March 12, 2020

Beijing | Reuters — China has drawn up food safety standards on residue limits of growth hormones in beef, a move seen as a further step toward opening up its market to imports of the meat from the U.S. China has previously had zero tolerance for any residues of growth hormones, which has restricted the […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Extreme variability characterizes feeder market

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 10, 2020

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were extremely variable over the past week which made the market hard to define. Compared to last week, yearling prices were quoted $2 to as much $6 lower while calves traded $2 lower as much as $5 higher. While some auction crowds were caught up with the negative news coverage, […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock

A+W starts move to all-grass-fed, all-Canadian beef

Suppliers lined up to begin transition this spring

By GFM Network News March 10, 2020

Canadian burger chain A+W’s next move to distinguish its menu in a crowded quick-service market will be a connection to the regenerative ag movement, as it sets itself up with an all-Canadian and all-grass-fed beef supply. The Vancouver-based chain, which includes almost 1,000 restaurants across Canada, announced Monday it’s “making a commitment to exclusively source […] Read more

There is no simple test to be able to identify what causes scours in calves.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Causes of calf scours can be difficult to identify

There is no simple test to be able to identify what causes scours in calves

By Heather Smith Thomas March 9, 2020

Scours is the most common illness and cause of death in young calves. Some years are worse than others for scours outbreaks, and there are many causes including certain kinds of bacteria, viruses or protozoa. Whether calves get sick depends on many factors including exposure (contact with pathogens, either by coming in contact with a […] Read more

This Greek cattle feeder prefers to take Belgian Blue bull calves to finish.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Greek beef feeder favours Romanian ‘Blues’

Farm aims for improved efficiency in a competitive market 

By Chris Mccullough March 9, 2020

Consumers in Greece love their beef, creating a high year-round demand for the protein source. To feed this demand there are a number of larger beef-fattening units set up around the country, supplying the meat to both private customers and wholesalers. However, Greek beef farmers say the recent financial crisis in the country has hurt […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Larger beef production weighs on cattle prices

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: More head and heavier cattle heading to packing plant

By Jerry Klassen March 6, 2020

During the first week of February Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $157 to $159 delivered, which was down from early-January highs of $165 to $168. U.S. first-quarter beef production is coming in larger than expected. The U.S. weekly slaughter has been six to seven per cent above year-ago levels. In […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Getting newborn calves off to a good start

Colostrum intake soon after birth is critical in first few hours

By Beef Cattle Research Council March 5, 2020

The most important day of a calf’s life is the first one. There are key factors that play a role in whether a baby calf gets off to a good start and research has demonstrated that the first 24 hours of life are critical for a calf to survive to weaning and beyond. Dystocia, or […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle hit contract highs on tight supply

U.S. grains: Soybeans tumble on doubts over U.S.-China trade progress

Alberta harvest wrapping up: report

Beef Cattle