Beef Cattle & Production Tips

Klassen: Feeder market continues to soften

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News May 13, 2019

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$5 lower on average with some auctions down $5 to as much as $8. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at $258 delivered, down $15 from the April highs. Feeding margins have slid into negative territory quite rapidly and could be […] Read more

This mob of cattle represents about 40,000 lbs of beef confined to about half an acre of pasture.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Short duration, Mafia-style grazing

Concentrating a mob of cattle on a small area for a limited time 

By Sean McGrath May 13, 2019

There is currently a lot of interest in mob grazing, so let me be perfectly clear. I have no idea when a “mob” specifically becomes a mob. In Australia, the term mob is synonymous with what we would call a herd, but generally when we refer to mob grazing in Canada what we are talking […] Read more

Rowland Munger and his son Rowly are the second and third generation producing Brahman cattle for breeding and meat markets.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Brahman cattle fit breeding and meat market

Hearty breed can handle climate and produce quality meat in crossbreeding program

By Chris Mccullough May 10, 2019

Just outside Francistown in eastern Botswana, South Africa is Wayside Brahman Stud run by three generations of the Munger family. This well-known family name has been breeding both the red and grey Brahman cattle for more than 30 years, gaining a good reputation for quality stud and commercial stock. Wayside Brahmans hosts an on-farm auction […] Read more

CME November 2019 feeder cattle with 20- and 50-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder cattle rally loses steam

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News May 6, 2019

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded $2-$5 lower while calves were solidly $3 to as much as $8 lower. There’s a limit how far the cash trade can divorce from the futures market. November feeder cattle futures have dropped $12 from contract highs and there is no sign that this slide is over; […] Read more

Make sure cows have a good body condition score and aim for a 60-day breeding and calving season.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

A short 60-day breeding season leads to profit

Produces a more uniform batch of calves and higher weaning weights

By Peter Vitti May 1, 2019

The calving season is well underway on the Prairies, with some cow-calf operations calving with snow on the ground, while others plan to calve on pasture. Regardless of the starting date, the length of the calving season is directly related to the length of the previous breeding season. Research shows moving toward a desirable 60-day […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Cash feeder market shrugs off lower futures

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News April 29, 2019

This past week, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $270-$274 on a dressed basis, up $2-$4 from seven days earlier. Strength in the fed cattle market spilt over into the feeder complex as feeding margins moved into positive territory for the first time this year. Compared to last week, western Canadian […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

Walmart creating own Angus beef supply chain

By GFM Network News April 24, 2019

Reuters — Walmart Inc. is taking control of the supply chain for Angus beef sold in some of its stores, cutting out meat processors as the company looks to offer higher quality products in an intensely competitive grocery industry. The world’s largest retailer said Wednesday the move would allow it to ensure supplies of quality […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

R-CALF suit alleges U.S. packers conspired to suppress fed cattle prices

By GFM Network News April 23, 2019

Reuters — Four of the largest U.S. beef-packing companies were accused in a lawsuit on Tuesday of violating federal antitrust law by conspiring to drive down prices they paid ranchers for cattle, even as retail beef prices hovered near record levels. Tyson Foods, Cargill, the JBS USA unit of Brazil’s JBS and National Beef Packing […] Read more

CME April 2020 live cattle with 20- and 50-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market remains volatile

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News April 23, 2019

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3-$5 on either side of unchanged. Many auction barns were closed last week and the ones holding sales had smaller numbers. Quality packages of yearlings were on the higher end of the range while smaller groups of fleshier replacements were discounted. Alberta feedlots were focusing […] Read more

This frostbite scarring on a bull’s scrotum indicates the bull should be semen tested.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Cold weather can affect first semen evaluation

It may take retesting before sperm counts improve

By Roy Lewis April 22, 2019

With an extended period of cold weather across the prairies this winter, semen results on young bulls and herd sires may not be all that desirable. We may see more bulls deferred because of semen defects. Don’t panic. Work with your veterinarian. They can provide the best advice on the outcome and even give a […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. grains: Corn rises on US yield concerns, strong crush demand lifts soybeans

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

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

Beef Cattle

Klassen: Feeder market continues to soften

Short duration, Mafia-style grazing

Brahman cattle fit breeding and meat market

Klassen: Feeder cattle rally loses steam

A short 60-day breeding season leads to profit

Klassen: Cash feeder market shrugs off lower futures

Walmart creating own Angus beef supply chain

R-CALF suit alleges U.S. packers conspired to suppress fed cattle prices

Klassen: Feeder market remains volatile

Cold weather can affect first semen evaluation

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Sept. 5, 2025

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Latest Market News