Livestock & Production Tips

Klassen: Rising feed grains weigh on feeder market

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News May 28, 2019

Compared to the previous week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded steady to $3 lower over the past week. In some cases, calves were down $4 to as much as $6. Rising feed grain costs weighed on the overall feeder complex. Feed barley in southern Alberta traded in the range of $265-$275 per tonne delivered, […] Read more

Many dairy producers wonder how to save on feed costs without sacrificing milk and milkfat production.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

A cost-effective diet for dairy cows

Dairy Corner: Feed and yardage costs add up, but production is optimized

By Peter Vitti May 27, 2019

Most dairy producers want to feed cost-effective diets to their high milk- (milkfat) producing cows. That’s a tall order, which is most often achieved by obtaining the best lactation diets, first as a formula on paper and blended into a TMR, then put in front of the cows. Finally, it’s up to them to eat […] Read more

Used utility poles and damaged grain bins provided  materials for this calving shelter.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Thinking outside the bin

Telephone poles and damaged grain bins turned into sturdy calf shelter

By Heather Eppich May 27, 2019

Due to the ever-increasing prices of building materials, we try to always keep our eyes and our minds open to anything that can be repurposed. Our small herd of cows is growing and as it grows, we have to keep our facilities growing as well. One thing we encountered this year, thanks to the lingering […] Read more

An eight-year-old handler walks her best-in-class York Barrow pig on June 4, 2014 at World Pork Expo in Des Moines. (File photo: Reuters/Lane Hickenbottom)

Hogs, Livestock, Markets

Canada, U.S. plan trade zones for whenever swine fever hits

By GFM Network News May 25, 2019

Federal officials in Canada and the U.S. have agreed on zone defense, so to speak, to allow safe trade of hogs and pork products if African swine fever should turn up in hogs in either country. Canada’s chief veterinary officer Dr. Jaspinder Komal and U.S. CVO Dr. Jack Shere said Wednesday the two countries have […] Read more

CME July 2019 lean hog futures with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Hogs limit down on continued export uncertainty

By GFM Network News May 24, 2019

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures fell sharply on Friday on weak pork prices and concerns about export demand as trade tensions have increased between the U.S. and China, the world’s largest hog and pork market. Traders squared positions ahead of the long Memorial Day holiday weekend due to the […] Read more

(Deyana Robova photo/iStock/Getty Images)

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Hogs mixed as trade war anxiety overshadows export data

By GFM Network News May 23, 2019

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures traded on both sides of previous levels on Thursday and closed mixed as the market weighed ample hog supplies against some signs of improved pork export demand. Hog traders were encouraged by large pork purchases by China and Mexico in weekly U.S. Department of […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Lean hog futures erode on China trade tensions

By GFM Network News May 22, 2019

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures drifted lower on Wednesday and touched a one-week low as the market was pressured by concerns that the U.S.-China trade war is far from resolution. Traders did not expect any significant Chinese buying of U.S. pork in weekly export sales data due to be […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters, Weather

U.S. livestock: Hogs, cattle drop as rains seen denting grilling demand

By GFM Network News May 21, 2019

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle and lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) closed mostly lower on Tuesday as both markets were pressured by worries that wet weather around large parts of the country would disrupt demand for pork and beef. Above-normal rains are expected across much of the western and […] Read more

Wagyu beef on skewers at a Tokyo market. (Michal_Staniewski/iStock/Getty Images)

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Japan now accepting Canadian OTM beef

By GFM Network News May 21, 2019

The last of Japan’s BSE-related restrictions on Canadian beef are lifted as of last Friday, with the Japanese government’s agreement to allow beef from Canadian cattle over 30 months of age (OTMs). Citing industry estimates, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said the added access announced Tuesday could mean an increase of up to 20 per cent […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market finds support

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News May 20, 2019

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling markets traded steady to $2 lower while calves traded $3 higher to as much as $8 lower. Adverse weather across much of the U.S. Midwest set a negative tone on both sides of the border. U.S. feeder cattle markets were down US$3-$6 from seven days earlier. Corn futures […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle hit contract highs on tight supply

U.S. grains: Soybeans tumble on doubts over U.S.-China trade progress

Alberta harvest wrapping up: report

Livestock

Klassen: Rising feed grains weigh on feeder market

A cost-effective diet for dairy cows

Thinking outside the bin

Canada, U.S. plan trade zones for whenever swine fever hits

U.S. livestock: Hogs limit down on continued export uncertainty

U.S. livestock: Hogs mixed as trade war anxiety overshadows export data

U.S. livestock: Lean hog futures erode on China trade tensions

U.S. livestock: Hogs, cattle drop as rains seen denting grilling demand

Japan now accepting Canadian OTM beef

Klassen: Feeder market finds support

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