Livestock & Production Tips

‘Misled’ JBS shareholders in Brazil seek damages

By GFM Network News March 19, 2020

Sao Paulo | Reuters — A group of shareholders in JBS SA has started arbitration proceedings against the Brazilian beef company, claiming they were misled after the company’s IPO in Brazil in 2007. In a statement on Wednesday, U.S.-based law firm DRRT, along with Brazilian co-counsel Finkelstein Advogados, said the shareholders are seeking damages of […] Read more

CME May 2020 feeder cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs fall on demand uncertainty

By GFM Network News March 18, 2020

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. livestock futures fell on Wednesday, pressured by sharp declines in the equities markets and uncertainty about demand due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The cattle and hog markets surged on Tuesday because of strength in the cash market after consumers cleared out grocery store shelves in anticipation of being homebound […] Read more

While calves can be given a preventative treatment against coccidiosis, cows can be given a coccidiostat such as rumensin or monensin in the feed before calving to reduce shedding of the infective eggs onto the ground.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Coccidiosis still a threat to be monitored

Animal Health with Roy Lewis: Important to control internal and external parasites

By Roy Lewis March 18, 2020

Coccidiosis and internal parasitism are two clinical syndromes I thought we had rid from the cattle sector. But although they just about disappeared, they are on the comeback trail. It is important to know why along with new strategies to keep them at bay. Clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment must be periodically reviewed. Direct communication […] Read more

Don’t wait until the third trimester to improve  condition and nutrition status of the cow.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Don’t delay on proper mineral feeding program

Important for the new calf as well as the next breeding season

By Peter Vitti March 18, 2020

The entire nine months of a beef cow’s pregnancy can be broken up into three stages; early, mid- and last trimester of gestation. During these first two stages, her unborn calf doesn’t require a lot of nutrients, so it doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the cow. However, this all changes in the last […] Read more

Livestock

Call your vet before you go to clinic during COVID-19

Different vet clinics have adopted different protocols

By Alexis Kienlen, GFM Network News March 18, 2020

Animal welfare is paramount during COVID-19 — but so is human health. That’s why Darrell Dalton, registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, recommends you call ahead before you go to your vet. “Different practices have taken different measures and different steps,” he said. “Some of the small practices are limiting the number of people […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Uncertainty drags on Canadian cattle markets

Beef demand is strong but cattle prices are under pressure, Canfax says

By Alexis Kienlen, GFM Network News March 17, 2020

Cattle markets have tumbled as a result of COVID-19, according to the senior analyst at Canfax. “Feeder markets are off pretty hard, some of them are off 15 to 20 cents a pound, this week,” Brian Perillat said Tuesday. “They have been depressed over the last month. Feedlots too. Fed price is at the low […] Read more

CME June 2020 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs rally after grocery stores depleted

By GFM Network News March 17, 2020

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle and hog futures surged on Tuesday, fueled by strength in the cash market as the grocery sector looked to restock shelves following heavy buying during the weekend. Bargain buying also helped support the livestock market. Both live cattle and feeder cattle futures were recovering from near 10-year lows hit […] Read more

In this line of work, offspring are welcome on the job site.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

A job interview for a cow

It is important to find out who is working for whom

By Sean McGrath March 17, 2020

I have heard the statement “My cows need to work for me.” This leads to the somewhat logical question of “If a cow works for me, what should a job interview look like?” and further what answers I should hope to hear. Knowing that cow depreciation and cow herd maintenance are the two biggest costs […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

Livestock auction marts to decide on next steps

Livestock Marketing Association of Canada pondering next move in face of pandemic

By Alexis Kienlen, GFM Network News March 17, 2020

You may want to call first to see if it’s open, but many auction marts in Alberta were still having sales on Tuesday morning. The Livestock Marketing Association of Canada has a conference call set for this evening to discuss COVID-19 safety measures for staff, customers and buyers, said Chance Martin, an LMAC director and […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market digesting lower beef demand

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News March 17, 2020

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were down $12-$18; mid-weight calves were down $10 to as much as $15 while calves under 550 lbs. were down $4-$8. The market is incorporating a risk discount due to uncertainty in beef demand for the second and third quarters of 2020. Feedlot margins are in negative […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle rebound on technical buying

U.S. grains: Soybeans fall as rapid harvest overshadows China trade hopes

Good weather pushes Alberta harvest along