Livestock & Production Tips

U.S. livestock: Cattle set contract highs on winter weather

By Tom Polansek, GFM Network News February 27, 2019

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures jumped to contract highs on Tuesday as traders worried about snow and cold temperatures slowing shipments of livestock to processing plants. Lean hog futures also rose in a turnaround from a slide to contract lows last week. Traders focused on the wintry weather as forecasters predicted more […] Read more

This sheeting was fashioned to create a safe creep area for piglets.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Homemade safe creep idea protects piglets

A simple solution made with simple materials

By Meristem Land & Science February 26, 2019

As loose housing becomes standard practice across gestation facilities, it is only a matter of time until the market will demand loose-housed farrowing sows with litters. That’s the opinion of Brett, Jamie and Carl Israel of Carl Israel Farms Ltd. in Mapleton Township, Ont., one of two winners who shared the 2019 F.X. Aherne Prize […] Read more

Replacement time is your best chance to improve the foundation of your cow herd.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Don’t get sentimental picking replacement cattle

Keep the best of your own, or look to buy quality heifers

By Bruce Derksen February 26, 2019

Often in late fall and early winter, many producers face the task of adding replacement heifers to their cow herd, both from their own weaned heifer crop and potentially from other breeders. This routine process often yields mediocre and mixed results, so the question might be: “What can be done to take some of the […] Read more

Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Winter conditions weigh on feeder market

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News February 26, 2019

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels. The major feeding regions from Alberta to the U.S. Midwest and southern Plains have all experienced severe storms and extreme temperatures. The forecast for southern Alberta calls for lows of -25 to -32 C over the next seven days. Auction markets have a few […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Hogs sag on large supply, shrug off trade talks

By Tom Polansek, GFM Network News February 25, 2019

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures slumped on Monday as concerns about mounting supplies overshadowed hopes that Washington and Beijing will resolve the trade war that has reduced shipments of U.S. pork to China. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would delay an increase in U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods thanks to […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Canada’s Saputo to buy major U.K. dairy firm

By GFM Network News February 23, 2019

A major British dairy company is poised to become the property of one of Canada’s biggest dairy processors in a $1.7 billion all-cash deal. Saputo Inc. announced Friday it has an agreement in place with Dairy Crest Group — the maker of Cathedral City cheese and Country Life butter among other major U.K. dairy brands […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Cattle set one-year high on weather, supply concerns

By Tom Polansek, GFM Network News February 23, 2019

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle futures reached a one-year high on Friday on concerns that cold, snowy weather next week may tighten supplies by slowing weight gain and transportation of livestock. Snowfall is expected to increase across the U.S. Plains, where the temperature outlook also is trending colder, according to weather forecaster Radiant Solutions. […] Read more

Hogs, Livestock

PED not yet done with Alberta

By GFM Network News February 22, 2019

Just when it appeared Alberta’s on-farm outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) may have been a one-off, the province has confirmed a second case. Officials with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry on Friday announced they’ve confirmed and are investigating a new PED outbreak at a 600-head farrow-to-finish hog operation at an unspecified location. “At this time, […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: Hogs recover on hopes for China trade talks

By Tom Polansek, GFM Network News February 21, 2019

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures jumped on Thursday on increased optimism about the potential for progress in trade talks between Washington and Beijing. The top U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators resumed high-level negotiations to hash out a deal that could end their trade war, just over a week before a U.S.-imposed deadline to […] Read more

When a crowbar isn’t enough on frozen ground, a powered auger  can get a hole started.

Cattleman’s Corner, Farm Life, Livestock

Tips for fencing on frozen ground

It may take a little longer, but at least the job gets done

By Heather Eppich February 21, 2019

With the 2018 harvest dragging out into late fall and a backlog of fall work to do, we weren’t too excited about trying our fencing project in the winter. We had over three miles of fence that needed to be built before spring. Our biggest concern was that the frost would be too deep and […] 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

U.S. livestock: Cattle set contract highs on winter weather

Homemade safe creep idea protects piglets

Don’t get sentimental picking replacement cattle

Klassen: Winter conditions weigh on feeder market

U.S. livestock: Hogs sag on large supply, shrug off trade talks

Canada’s Saputo to buy major U.K. dairy firm

U.S. livestock: Cattle set one-year high on weather, supply concerns

PED not yet done with Alberta

U.S. livestock: Hogs recover on hopes for China trade talks

Tips for fencing on frozen ground

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