(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Finishing feedlot demand drives yearlings higher

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearlings traded $2 lower to as much as $5 higher. Strength was once again noted in southern Alberta where heavier yearlings recorded a fresh 52-week high. Calves were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. Larger groups of quality weaned genetics traded as much $5 above average values. Feather-lite bawlers under […] Read more

CME October 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, brown and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle end mixed, hogs lower

Futures under pressure as equity markets slump

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures ended mixed on Monday as late-session bargain buying only partly offset pressure from adequate cattle supplies and global economic concerns that threatened to blunt demand for beef. “The cattle market can’t seem to catch a break. Boxed beef has been trending down and there are […] Read more


An information label is seen on packaging for a CO2 cylinder for a fizzy drinks machine in Manchester, Britain on Sept. 20, 2021. (Photo: Reuters)/Phil Noble)

U.K. meat industry warns of threat to supplies from CO2 crisis

CO2 shortage is caused by closure of fertilizer plants

London | Reuters — Some of Britain’s meat processors will run out of carbon dioxide (CO2) within five days, forcing them to halt production and impacting supplies to food retailers, the head of the industry’s lobby group warned on Monday. A jump in gas prices has forced several domestic energy suppliers out of business and […] Read more

Most consumers want to know where their food is coming from, how it’s produced and to feel confident it’s safe and supports their values.

Sustainability closely linked to beef marketing

Consumers do want to know how beef is produced and who's producing it

It could be said that marketing and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry are joined at the hip. Without one, the other suffers. Dorothy Erickson, manager of veterinary services for Zoetis in Saskatoon, believes beef’s constructive marketing requires an understanding of its relationship to sustainability. “When we look at the big picture, I think it’s […] Read more


CME December 2021 lean hogs (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2) and CME cash lean hog index (grey line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs extend gains in recovery from slide

Cattle futures follow boxed beef lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures on Friday extended a rebound from a selloff that dragged the market to its lowest prices since February this week, while cattle futures sagged. The hog market was due for a correction to the upside after the most-active December contract fell 13.5 per cent from […] Read more

A single lightening strike that travelled along the fence line is believed responsible for the death of these cattle.

Livestock electrocution can be natural or man-made

Animal Health: Make sure tools and electrical services are properly installed and maintained

We’ve all seen pictures and heard of the cattle deaths following severe lightning storms. Cattle are susceptible because they are so well-grounded. They often gather along fence lines or under tall trees, seeking shelter when lightning strikes. There really is no prevention for this other than to make sure all fences, especially electric fences, are […] Read more


(Olymel video screengrab via YouTube)

Olymel to close former F. Menard bacon plant

Pork further-processing plant at Henryville to shut in November

Meat packer Olymel plans to shut a pork further-processing plant it operates in Quebec’s Monteregie by mid-November and pick up the work at its other sites. Olymel, the meats arm of Sollio Co-operative, said Wednesday it will permanently close the bacon plant at Henryville, about 60 km southeast of Montreal, effective Nov. 12. The closure […] Read more

CME December 2021 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, brown and dark red lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME lean hog futures rise from February low

December live cattle close lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures climbed on Thursday, as the market recovered from a decline to its lowest prices since February. Technical buying helped support prices, while concerns about waning U.S. pork exports continue to hang over the market, analysts said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported 2021 export sales […] Read more


CME December 2021 lean hogs (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Nearby hogs up in rebound off six-month low

CME cattle futures slide

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures ended higher in nearby contract months on Wednesday, as the market rebounded from a drop to its lowest prices in more than six months. Most-active December hogs recovered after dropping 12.5 per cent since the start of the month on concerns about slowing U.S. pork […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Lower beef production supports cash feeder market

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; calf prices traded $2 on either side of week-ago levels. December and February live cattle futures have dropped $8-$10 off the highs while feed grain values have remained firm. Buyers were on the defensive this past week, given the softer outlook for fed cattle […] Read more