Olymel’s Drummondville, Que. bacon plant.(Drumco.ca)

Olymel bacon plant deal a ‘signal,’ union says

Deal ends three-week strike at Drummondville

Unionized workers at Olymel’s bacon processing plant at Drummondville, Que. have voted to accept a four-year deal, ending a three-week strike and serving as a “signal” to employers in the region, their union said. Olymel announced Friday that CSN-represented workers at the Bacon Inter-America facility, who’d been on strike since May 26, voted 93.6 per […] Read more

Photo: File

U.S. livestock: Hogs rally to nine-month high; cattle ease

Cattle futures weaker on seasonal slowdown and profit-taking round

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures rose to a nine-month high as a recent slowdown in the pace of slaughter limited the amount of retail supplies. Cattle futures were weaker on an expected seasonal slowdown and a round of profit-taking, traders said. CME July hogs jumped three cents to 95.85 cents per […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: 800-lb. steers touch $300/cwt mark

Nearby cash market at odds with futures

For the week ending June 17, western Canadian feeder cattle prices were quoted $2-$5/cwt higher on average compared to seven days earlier. However, larger packages of quality yearlings traded $8-$10/cwt above week-ago levels. The market was hard to define because available supplies are dwindling at this time of year. The quality of cattle was extremely […] Read more

File photo of the Raohe Night Market in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital. (Fazon1/iStock/Getty Images)

Taiwan formally opens to OTM Canadian beef

BSE-era restriction now lifted

Taiwan has officially lifted its import ban on Canadian beef and beef products from animals over 30 months of age (OTMs). Canada’s Trade Minister Mary Ng and Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the move Friday, saying Taiwan’s decision “will offer an opportunity to expand Canadian beef exports to Taiwan and diversify export markets in the […] Read more


Canada warns VCOOL would sabotage shared Canada-U.S. goals, supply chains

Canada warns VCOOL would sabotage shared Canada-U.S. goals, supply chains

The Canadian government has submitted its views on proposed U.S. food labelling rules

Proposed U.S. country of origin labelling rules run contrary to mutual Canada and U.S. goals to reduce inflation, improve food security and build resilient supply chains, according to a submission from the Canadian government to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “One of the great strengths of the U.S.-Canada bilateral relationship is the successful integration of […] Read more

CME August 2023 live cattle with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle up as beef prices climb

Chicago lean hogs close mixed

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange rose on Friday ahead of a long U.S. holiday weekend, supported by strong beef prices and profitable margins for beef packers, traders said. CME’s benchmark August live cattle contract settled up 0.65 cent at 171.725 cents/lb. (all figures US$). The U.S. Department of […] Read more


CME August 2023 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle inch higher in technical bounce

Chicago lean hogs end mixed

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed modestly higher on Thursday on rising wholesale beef prices and a technical bounce after the benchmark August contract dipped to a two-week low. The cattle market has been consolidating after a surge to contract highs on June 7 triggered several days of […] Read more

CME August 2023 live cattle with 10-, 20- and 50-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle fall on technical selling

Wholesale pork prices lift hogs

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange fell on Wednesday on chart-based selling and expectations of a seasonal slowdown in beef demand in the coming weeks, traders said. CME benchmark August live cattle futures settled down 2.95 cents at 170.975 cents/lb., with technical selling accelerating as the contract dropped below […] Read more


CME August 2023 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle end up as beef prices rise

Chicago lean hog futures end mixed

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed higher on Tuesday, rallying from early declines, as strong beef prices and tight cattle supplies buoyed futures, traders said. CME August live cattle futures settled up 0.725 cent at 173.925 cents/lb. (all figures US$). August feeder cattle finished up 1.4 cents at […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder cattle under 500 lbs. jump over $400

U.S. beef output expected down in 2024

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices for 800-lb.-plus cattle traded $8-$10/cwt higher. Feeder cattle in the range of 600-800 lbs. were up $6-$8/cwt on average. Calves weighing 500-600 lbs. were unchanged to $10 higher, although supplies were limited. Feather-light calves under 500 lbs. traded $10 to as much as $30 over week-ago levels. […] Read more