Livestock & Production Tips

This old trough, no longer useable for water, was repurposed into an inexpensive feeder for the bulls. Tucked into the corner of the fence with a bit of reinforcement, it can easily be refilled as needed.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Pasture

A handy inexpensive feed bunk

A repurposed water trough and other fencing materials were all put to good use

By Heather Smith Thomas December 15, 2023

This fall, we decided to let our two yearling bulls out of the corral for winter and have them eat down some willows. Last winter, we created a new little pasture by clearing out the trees and willow bushes, then piling and burning them in hopes of growing more grass. We grazed that new pasture […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Cow-Calf

Providing proper mineral mix the first step to meet cattle nutrient needs

It's one thing to put it out there, but another to make sure they eat it

By Peter Vitti December 15, 2023

Many commercial cattle minerals can be fed on a free-choice basis to gestating beef cows until calving. But even the best of these products fail if cows don’t eat enough, or engorge themselves. Mineral intake problems must be corrected quickly so cows can either maintain or build a mineral (and vitamin) status which contributes to […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

Feed weekly outlook: U.S. corn imports keep lid on Prairie feed grains

Mild Prairie weather contributing to lower feed demand

By GFM Network News December 14, 2023

Glacier FarmMedia – Feed prices for barley and wheat across much of Western Canada are very likely to remain low until the end of winter/the beginning of spring, according to Erin Harakal of Agfinity in Stony Plain, Alta.

Sides of pork in cold storage. (Agnormark/iStock/Getty Images)

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: CME hogs decline further as cattle face renewed pressure

"I think we're still trying to hunt for a bottom": analyst

By Reuters, Tom Polansek, GFM Network News December 13, 2023

Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures extended a slump, as live cattle futures came under renewed pressure with broad selling hitting agricultural markets on Wednesday.

Under sunny skies, neighbour Ken Reiniger loads some slough hay bales, that will make good winter feed, onto the trailer.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Weather co-operates for fall projects

Digging potatoes and hauling feed all completed under fairly warm dry conditions

By Heather Eppich December 13, 2023

The weather this fall has been very nice. The wind has been cold at times, but we really couldn’t complain about the temperatures. I gave the foals a few days to settle down after weaning and then started refreshing their halter training. We try to work with them to introduce the halter a few days […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Finishers, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Year-end buying interest boosts feeder market

Feedlot operators gearing up for shortfall in overall numbers in the first half of 2024

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News December 12, 2023

Strength was noted in calves under 650 pounds while feeders over 700 pounds were relatively unchanged. Larger packages of weaned quality genetics were $8 to $10 higher in some cases.

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Feeder market bounces on lower volumes

Feedlot operators believe yearling numbers will be down in March and April

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News December 5, 2023

Strength was noted in Manitoba and Saskatchewan while a softer tone was evident in Alberta. Once again, buyers shrugged off the weaker feeder cattle futures and the focus was on filling year-end orders. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlots are carrying larger numbers but there appears to be sufficient bunk capacity available to sustain the price structure.

As consumers run short of disposable income in 2024, it is expected there will be a reduced demand for beef.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

USDA increases beef production forecasts

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: All factors suggest the winds of market change are beginning to blow

By Jerry Klassen December 4, 2023

Alberta fed cattle prices during November were averaging $385/cwt on a dressed basis, down $5/cwt from 30 days earlier. Live prices f.o.b. feedlot in southern Alberta were quoted in the range of $228/cwt to $230/cwt, the lowest since May. The market has come under pressure as U.S. beef forecasts for the first half of 2024 […] Read more

CME February 2024 live cattle with 10-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. livestock: CME cattle drop on fund selling, beef demand concerns

Chicago lean hogs continue higher

By GFM Network News November 30, 2023

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures dropped on Thursday after two sessions of gains, pressured by fund long liquidation and as higher corn feed prices and worries about demand for high-priced beef cuts hung over the market. Technical selling accelerated the break, the live cattle market’s sixth in the last eight sessions, […] Read more

(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Hogs, Livestock

PigTrace tag prices go up Dec. 15

Program costs 'unsustainable' without price increase

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News November 30, 2023

One of the prices producers pay for hog traceability will be going up 10 per cent. The Manitoba Pork Council said in a notice to producers Wednesday that the Canadian Pork Council will apply a 10 per cent increase to the prices of PigTrace ear tags and accessories, effective Dec. 15. Table: PigTrace ear tag […] Read more

Daily Network News

Prairie forecast: Cooler than average temperatures expected to continue

Transport, trade, labour top of mind for new Grain Growers of Canada executive director

Food and beverage sales growth, volume decline predicted for 2026

Livestock