Beef Cattle & Production Tips

Klassen: Feeder market absorbs double-edged sword

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News June 4, 2019

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $6 lower. The feed grains market is writing the story for the feeder market. August feeder cattle futures lost $10 this past week and U.S. cash feeder prices were also down US$4-$6 compared to seven days earlier. Ideas are that […] Read more

A Western blot analysis, used to confirm BSE in bovine brain tissue. (Peggy Greb photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

Brazil halts beef exports to China after atypical BSE case

By GFM Network News June 3, 2019

Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazil has temporarily halted beef exports to China following an atypical case of BSE in leading farm state Mato Grosso, the agriculture ministry said on Monday. China, Brazil’s largest beef importer by sales, spent US$1.5 billion on Brazilian beef last year, totaling 322,400 tonnes or almost 20 per cent of […] Read more

Tuberculosis bacteria under an electron microscope. (Janice Haney Carr photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.))

Beef Cattle, Livestock

B.C. bovine TB outbreak’s trace-out completed

By GFM Network News May 31, 2019

All cattle that moved away from a British Columbia farm where four animals were found to be infected with bovine tuberculosis (TB) have been tracked down and tested. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Tuesday it has completed its “trace-out” investigation stemming from last fall’s discovery of a TB-positive beef cow from a farm in […] Read more

A drone captured this file photo of cattle on pasture in Brazil’s Mato Grosso state. (JoseMoraes/iStock/Getty Images)

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Reuters

Brazil reports atypical BSE case

By Reuters, GFM Network News May 31, 2019

Sao Paulo | Reuters — The Brazilian government reported on Friday a case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in an animal in Mato Grosso state, according to a statement from the country’s agriculture ministry. The ministry said the case of BSE, also known as mad cow disease, was detected in a 17-year-old cow. It […] Read more

With reduced grass growth early in the season, cattle explore and can get into things.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Lots to consider as cattle head to pasture

Provide important treatments before they go, monitor herd health while they are away

By Roy Lewis May 28, 2019

There are many things to think about at pasture turnout time. Once they’re gone to grass, cattle are not always accessible, easy to find or treat so planning is necessary before turnout. One has to think about what things cattle will be exposed to on pasture and which age groups are most susceptible. Depending on […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Rising feed grains weigh on feeder market

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News May 28, 2019

Compared to the previous week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $3 lower over the past week. In some cases, calves were down $4 to as much as $6. Rising feed grain costs weighed on the overall feeder complex. Feed barley in southern Alberta traded in the range of $265-$275 per tonne delivered, […] Read more

Wagyu beef on skewers at a Tokyo market. (Michal_Staniewski/iStock/Getty Images)

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Japan now accepting Canadian OTM beef

By GFM Network News May 21, 2019

The last of Japan’s BSE-related restrictions on Canadian beef are lifted as of last Friday, with the Japanese government’s agreement to allow beef from Canadian cattle over 30 months of age (OTMs). Citing industry estimates, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said the added access announced Tuesday could mean an increase of up to 20 per cent […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market finds support

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News May 20, 2019

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $2 lower while calves traded $3 higher to as much as $8 lower. Adverse weather across much of the U.S. Midwest set a negative tone on both sides of the border. U.S. feeder cattle markets were down US$3-$6 from seven days earlier. Corn futures […] Read more

Beef on display in a market in Japan. (File photo)

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

Japan opens doors to full access of U.S. beef imports

By Reuters, GFM Network News May 17, 2019

Washington | Reuters — Japan has agreed to eliminate its long-held restrictions on U.S. beef imports, opening full access to U.S. cattle products after more than 15 years, the head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement on Friday. “The new terms, which take effect immediately, allow U.S. products from all cattle, […] Read more

Calves are dropping at about  70 pounds but they quickly begin to gain weight.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Breeding program favours short-gestation bulls

Little or no calving difficulty as calves get off to a good start

By Lee Hart May 14, 2019

For southwest Saskatchewan ranchers Barry and Anne Wasko, switching the heifer-breeding program a few years ago to select for shorter-gestation bulls is producing smaller but vigorous calves while reducing concerns about calving difficulty. By breeding their Hereford/Red Angus-cross heifers to Black Angus bulls selected for EPDs showing shorter gestation, heifers are calving about 10 days […] Read more

GFM Network News

Carney expects to meet senior China leaders, sidesteps question on tariffs

China holds off on soybean purchases due to high Brazil premiums, traders say

U.S. livestock: Cattle mixed on technicals, profit taking after tight supply rally

Beef Cattle