Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Klassen: Feeder market remains firm on fed cattle strength

Alberta's disastrous wildfires may disrupt calf marketings

Compared to last week, western Canadian prices for yearlings over 800 lbs. were quoted steady to $4 higher; feeders between 600-800 lbs. were relatively unchanged while calves under 600 lbs. were $5-$10 higher. The market for calves under 600 lbs. was hard to define due to limited volumes. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on […] Read more



A macrophage (immune response) cell in early stages of infection with African swine fever virus, magnified about 1,000x. (Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

MPs get assurance on Canada’s biosecurity preparedness

Canada well prepared for foreign animal diseases, officials say

Officials from several federal agencies have reassured the public about Canada’s animal biosecurity preparedness. Witnesses from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) spoke to MPs’ concerns about livestock diseases at a committee meeting last Wednesday afternoon. Biosecurity preparedness has been a relevant issue […] Read more

CBOT June 2023 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures rebound on technical bounce

Chicago cattle futures firm

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures recovered from contract lows on a round of technical buying on Tuesday, traders said. Traders also noted the recent declines may spark interest in the export market. “U.S. pork has become some of the cheapest in the world and it would appear we’re indeed starting […] Read more


Smoke rises from a wildfire near Wildwood, Alta., about 100 km west of Edmonton, on May 5, 2023. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire/Handout via Reuters)

Alberta ‘crossing fingers’ for rain amid wildfires

CN mainline traffic west of Edmonton suspended

Reuters — Firefighters were counting on rain and cooler weather forecast for Monday to help them quell a dramatic start to Alberta’s wildfire season. The province declared a state of emergency on Saturday in response to wildfires in northern and central regions that have displaced nearly 30,000 people and prompted energy producers to shut in […] Read more

CME June 2023 lean hogs with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Hog futures extend losing streak

Feeder cattle turn higher on bargain buying

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell for the fourth straight session on Monday, with the most-active June contract hitting a new low, with traders focused on cash market weakness and light demand for pork. In CME cattle futures, feeder cattle contracts rebounded from six straight losing sessions on some bargain […] Read more


These two Black Angus bulls are used on the writer's ranch in Idaho as easy calving heifer bulls.

Females figure strongly in maternal bull selection

Look at calves, heifers and cows to get a better idea of maternal traits

There are several factors to consider when selecting a bull to sire replacement females. The bull makes a lasting contribution to the herd (good or bad). The quickest way to change genetics of a herd is through sire selection. You want that contribution to be beneficial, moving the herd in the best direction to meet […] Read more

A smoke column rises from a wildfire on May 4, 2023 near Lodgepole, Alta., about 30 km southwest of Drayton Valley. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire handout via Reuters)

Fire and floods across Western Canada force evacuations

Western Alberta towns of Edson, Drayton Valley ordered to evacuate

Reuters — A week of record-hot weather in Western Canada has forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes, as wildfires rage in parts of Alberta and rapid snow melt triggers flooding across interior British Columbia. By Friday, more than 13,000 people were under evacuation orders in Alberta. As of late Friday afternoon, 91 fires […] Read more


CME June 2023 lean hogs with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Weak pork demand knocks lean hogs to contract lows

June live cattle up; feeder cattle down

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures sank to contract lows on Friday on concerns over anemic U.S. demand for pork, analysts said. The dramatic price decline fueled projections among traders that hog farmers may reduce their herds, after losing money for months on each pig they raise. Farmers are grappling with […] Read more

A horse lifts his legs over branches.

Training a horse to load in a trailer

Start by exposing the foal to a range of experiences around the yard – Part 4 of a 4 part series

In this last part of the four-part series, I’ll cover one more key area of training that helps turn a foal into a useful partner and companion for farm, ranch or recreational use. After teaching a foal to lead, pick up his feet and tie, we teach him to load in the trailer. Most of […] Read more