Research shows cows kept in proper
condition in fall and early winter will have a
much better chance of raising high
producing calves the following year.

Cow nutrition now has huge impact on 2023 calves

Keeping animals properly fed this fall will lead to high-performing calves next year

Many beef producers I’ve talked to over the years have improved cow nutrition after their cows are confirmed pregnant, but there still are the diehards that don’t believe they need much nutrition. That’s too bad, because sound research has proven that poor nutrition during the early/mid-gestation months can sharply reduce newborn calf survival and long-term […] Read more


CME December 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, brown and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME December hogs extend slide on long liquidation

Cattle futures down on demand concerns

Chicago | Reuters — Benchmark December lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange continued their slide on Wednesday, hitting a nine-month low on recession worries and long liquidation. CME October hogs ended up 0.675 cent at 89.375 cents/lb. (all figures US$). But most-active December hogs fell 0.425 cent to settle at 75.825 cents/lb. after […] Read more

CME December 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks) with 20- and 50-day moving averages (brown and black lines, right column) and CME cash Lean Hog Index (pink line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs tumble to nine-month low on recession fears

Chicago live cattle end mixed

Chicago | Reuters — Benchmark December lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange fell for a fifth consecutive session on Tuesday, touching a nine-month low as fears of a recession hurting consumer demand for meat triggered another round of long liquidation, traders said. Sliding prices for cash hogs and wholesale pork added to bearish […] Read more


Photo: Canada Beef

Klassen: Steady demand underpins feeder cattle complex

Compared to last week, Alberta yearling markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged; however, 800-pound-plus cattle in Manitoba and Saskatchewan appeared to trade $4-$6 higher. Yearling prices across the Prairies are now relatively even with no freight discounts from major southern Alberta markets. Calf markets are becoming more defined with larger volumes on offer. […] Read more

CME December 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle, hog futures fall to multi-month lows

Recession fears eat at demand expectations

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures hit a two-month low on Monday and the benchmark December lean hogs contract hit an eight-month low as worries about the U.S. and world economy triggered a round of long liquidation, analysts said. “This market is looking for positive news, and not finding a lot. […] Read more


CME December 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, brown and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle, lean hogs slide on recession worries

Feeder cattle up on lower corn prices

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell to their lowest level since early August on Friday on fears of a global recession that could curb demand for commodities including beef, traders said. CME October live cattle settled down 0.6 cent at 144.25 cents/lb. and the most-active December contract fell 0.8 cent […] Read more

CME December 2022 live cattle (candlesticks) with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages (pink, purple and black lines). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle, hogs sag on macroeconomic concerns

Economy raises concern for beef demand

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures ended lower on Thursday, extending a pull-back from four-month highs set this week as traders worried about the health of the world economy and softening demand for beef, traders said. CME October live cattle ended down 1.025 cents at 144.85 cents/lb. and the most-active December […] Read more


Western Canadian yearling prices have strengthened over the past month.

Feeder cattle numbers decline

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Beef demand remains strong

During the last week of August, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a live basis in the range of $180-$181/cwt delivered, up $7-$8/cwt from 30 days earlier. U.S. and Canadian beef production has been running above a year ago, and beef demand has exceeded earlier projections. Inflation pressures on both sides of the border […] Read more

CME December 2022 lean hogs (candlesticks, right column) with 20- and 100-day moving averages (brown and black lines) and CME cash lean hog index (pink line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME hogs down on weak pork prices, macroeconomic fears

Chicago cattle also end lower ahead of report

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell nearly two per cent on Wednesday as falling wholesale pork prices and worries about the health of the global economy triggered a round of long liquidation, traders said. CME October lean hogs settled down 1.55 cents at 94.425 cents/lb. and most-active December hogs fell […] Read more