Livestock & Production Tips

Sweden reports bird flu outbreak as disease spreads

The Philippines bans poultry imports from France, Belgium to protect poultry, workers, consumers

By Reuters, GFM Network News January 9, 2024

Sweden has reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus on a farm in the southern part of the country, the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Tuesday, as the disease spreads in Europe. The Philippines, meanwhile, has banned imports of French and Belgian poultry as a virus containment measure.

File photo of cattle on feed near Champion, Alta., about 75 km north of Lethbridge. (James_Gabbert/iStock/Getty Images)

Beef Cattle, Markets

Klassen: Cattle producers anxious about 2024

No sales the first week of 2024 as markets assess inventory, plan strategy

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News January 9, 2024

The holiday break for the cattle market is analogous to an the intermission between periods of hockey game. Feedlot operators assess inventory and to focus on the market structure. They’re planning their purchase strategy for the next couple months.

Livestock, Markets

Feed weekly outlook: Several factors weighing on prices

Warm weather means less feed needed, easier movement says analyst

By GFM Network News January 4, 2024

Feed grain prices across the Canadian Prairies are expected to continue falling back for the next few months due to a number of reasons, according to Evan Peterson of JGL Commodities in Saskatoon, Sask.

A cut of beef at Walmart with an on-pack certified-sustainable claim for a line of beef products. (CNW Group/Walmart Canada)

General, Livestock

Updated Certified Sustainable Beef Framework released

The program, launched in 2017, came up for its five-year review in 2022

By Glacier FarmMedia staff, GFM Network News January 3, 2024

A new and improved Certified Sustainable Beef Framework has been released following its first, five-year review announced the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) today.

Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market quiets at year-end

Feeding margins have moved into negative territory, setting a negative tone for replacements

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News January 2, 2024

The last full week of 2023 was characterized by lower volumes and limited buying interest. Feedlot operators don’t want to weigh down schedules of hired hands over the holidays. Many auction barns were closed for the season while some held bred cows and bred heifer sales.

China’s demand for U.S. pork so far has been disappointing, analysts say.
Photo: Thinkstock

General, Hogs, Livestock

Smaller U.S. swine herd likely as Prop 12 takes effect, think tank says

Canadian pork sector concerned the animal welfare law will act as a non-tariff trade barrier

By Geralyn Wichers, GFM Network News December 29, 2023

The cost of compliance with a California animal welfare law, which takes full effect on New Year’s Day, will likely shrink the U.S. national hog herd and lead to further consolidation, a Washington State think tank says. “No one will be spared the change in market pressures,” wrote Pam Lewison, director for the Washington Policy […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Feed Grain weekly outlook: Corn, barley on level ground

High Canadian dollar behind lower corn trading

By GFM Network News December 28, 2023

Prices for Canadian feed barley and United States corn imports reached parity as the feed grain market took a breather between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Crops, Livestock, Markets

More local barley destined for rations, but U.S. corn still moving

Prior to drought year 2021/22, Canadian corn imports had rarely topped two million tonnes

By GFM Network News December 22, 2023

Recently revised supply/demand tables from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada raised the forecast for domestic barley usage in the current crop year to 6.155 million tonnes. That compares with an earlier forecast of 5.471 million tonnes. If realized, that would be up by roughly 200,000 tonnes from the previous year.

CME live cattle futures LEG24 on Dec. 21. (Barchart)

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures face renewed pressure

Lean hog futures ended the day mixed

By Reuters, GFM Network News December 21, 2023

Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures were mostly sharply lower on Thursday as traders sold off or shifted their positions ahead of a series of key government reports, analysts said.

Woodchurch High School pupils Megan Pitt and Corey Gibson, 13, prepare their sheep for judging as they compete in the Young Handlers class at the Westmorland County Show near Kendal, Britain, September 14, 2023. Photo: Phil Noble/Reuters

General, Livestock, Reuters

Urban school farm opens world of opportunity to British teens

Students from the underprivileged community have won acclaim at ag fairs, and some have gone on to be farmers, vets

By Reuters, GFM Network News December 21, 2023

The rural life of rearing rare breed sheep and nurturing alpacas is a world away for many urban teenagers. Yet a British school near Liverpool has opened its pupils to a wealth of jobs in agriculture and the benefits of nature with its own farm.

U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn fall on harvest pressure

U.S. livestock: Hog futures slide in technical correction

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Acknowledging the past, seeking a better future

GFM Network News