File photo of chicks on a genetic map of a chicken. (Peggy Greb photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Avian flu arrives in Saskatchewan poultry

More outbreaks also confirmed in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in a poultry flock and a non-commercial flock in separate areas of Saskatchewan. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it confirmed high-path avian flu on Thursday in a small non-commercial flock in the RM of Moose Mountain, near Carlyle in the province’s southeast, and on Saturday in a […] Read more

(Thinkstock photo)

B.C. orders poultry indoors as avian flu arrives

One more outbreak each also in Alberta, Quebec; 'suspect' wild birds being tested in Manitoba

British Columbia officials are ordering all commercial poultry operations to move their birds indoors after the arrival of avian flu in a flock in that province. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Thursday it confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza on Wednesday in a commercial poultry flock in the Regional District of North Okanagan, and […] Read more


CME June 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures end lower, hogs higher

Cattle end up off session lows

Chicago | Reuters — Benchmark live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange fell on Thursday as traders booked profits after a three-session climb and ahead of a long holiday weekend, traders said. U.S. markets, including the CME, will be closed for Good Friday. But cattle futures came off their session lows and hog futures […] Read more

(Thinkstock photo)

Avian flu hits flocks in Quebec, another in Ontario

Eleven control zones now in place in Ontario, six in Alberta

Avian influenza has been confirmed at two sites in Quebec and another in Ontario, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Wednesday. CFIA said it had quarantined two premises in Quebec after confirming an H5 type of avian flu in birds on a commercial poultry farm on Tuesday in the regional municipality (RCM) of Val-Saint-Francois, just […] Read more


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CEOs of four large U.S. meatpackers to testify in Congressional hearing

Beef prices up for consumers, down for ranchers

Washington | Reuters — The chief executives of U.S. meatpackers Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS and National Beef Packing have agreed to testify at a Congressional hearing discussing cattle markets and price increases for consumers, House agriculture committee chairman David Scott said Wednesday. “It is very important, very vital, and very urgent that we hear the […] Read more

CME June 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle follow broad strength in commodities

June lean hog futures down on day

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange rose on Wednesday for a third straight session, buoyed by broad strength in commodities along with firming cash cattle prices, traders said. A blizzard crossing the northern Plains lent support, raising concern about stress on cattle in the Dakotas, but the storm was […] Read more



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Alberta, Ontario see more avian flu in flocks

One more outbreak confirmed in each province

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in one more commercial poultry flock each in central Alberta and eastern Ontario, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Tuesday. The agency said it had confirmed on Monday that high-path H5N1 avian flu had infected a poultry flock in Camrose County, southeast of Edmonton, and on Tuesday also […] Read more


CME June 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, dark red and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures climb on firmer cash trade

Lean hogs up on technical buying

Chicago | Reuters — Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed higher on Tuesday on firmer cash cattle prices compared to last week and broad strength in commodities, analysts said. CME June live cattle futures settled up 1.5 cents at 136.3 cents/lb. after touching 136.675 cents, the contract’s highest since April 1 (all […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feedlots value feeders on finished cattle price projections

Compared to the week ending March 2, western Canadian yearling prices were $3-$5 lower on average. Mid-weight replacements in the range of 650-800 lbs. were down $8-$12. Steer calves under 650 lbs. traded steady to $5 lower. Heifer calves under 650 lbs. were also down $8-$12. The market was hard to define for heifer calves […] Read more