GFM Network News

More News →

Tag Archives Cow-calf operation

Improved conception rates tell the story
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Improved conception rates tell the story

Good-quality mineral mix got this herd back on track

By
The four principal trace elements essential to successful beef cow reproduction, are copper, zinc, manganese and selenium. All too often, they are either deficient in forage or bound by compounds also found in forage, which makes them biologically unavailable to cattle. I instruct beef producers to plan the best mineral-(and vitamin-) feeding program to their […] Read more
Canadian prices divorce from U.S. fundamentals
Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Canadian prices divorce from U.S. fundamentals

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Alberta feeding margins are in the red by $200 per head for feedlots selling in the spot market

By
There was unusual price behaviour in western fed and feeder markets during the first weeks of February. Earlier in January, Alberta fed cattle prices reached a high of $166 on live basis for March delivery. By mid-February, Alberta packers were only bidding $150 on a live basis for March 1-15 delivery. At the same time, […] Read more
Cattleman’s Corner, Markets

Understanding feeder cattle price structure

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Comparing prices for custom feeders and a finishing feedlot

By
The feeder cattle futures have traded in a narrow range since early November but we’ve seen severe swings in the western Canadian feeder cattle basis. This has made it difficult for the cow-calf operator and backgrounding operator to project a forward price for summer and fall. I’ve also received inquiries in regards to the price […] Read more
Females still need high level of proper nutrition after calving.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Proper nutrition needed before and after calving

An example of a good feeding plan based on common sense and economy

By
Most people have done a good job in feeding their gestating cows this winter in order to maintain good body condition for calving. Yet hard work doesn’t stop once the last calf is born. Rather, good nutrition should continue for months afterward, so fresh cows can produce lots of milk for their growing calves and […] Read more
Both Canada and U.S. calf crop numbers are estimated higher from last year.
Cattleman’s Corner, Finishers, Markets

Calf production numbers increase forecast

Market Update: Producers need to be ready with risk management plans

By
Alberta fed cattle prices have come under pressure over the past month. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $147 to $149 during the second week of November, down $4 to $6 from a month earlier. Weakness in the fed cattle market has spilled over into the feeder complex. Western Canadian yearling […] Read more
Time to buy cattle price insurance
Cattleman’s Corner, Finishers, Markets

Time to buy cattle price insurance

Market Update: Cow-calf producers should sell their feeders with the lofty futures and historically strong basis

By
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $151 to $153 on a live basis in mid-October, up approximately $10 from a month earlier. While Alberta prices have been percolating higher, fed cattle values in Kansas have hovered around US$111 on a live basis over the past four weeks. Market-ready supplies of fed […] Read more
cow and calf on pasture
Cattleman’s Corner, Finishers, Markets

Cattle market looking strong in many respects

Market Update: Not a great fall to be thinking of backgrounding calves

By
In early August, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $244 to $247 on a dressed basis while live-basis prices were quoted in the range of $145 to $146. The market has traded in a sideways range throughout the summer and it appears that the seasonal lows may be in place. Beef demand is coming in higher than anticipated with the […] Read more
Can you afford to select cows for longevity?
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Can you afford to select cows for longevity?

Keeping old cows isn’t improving performance of the beef herd

By
One of the biggest costs on a cow-calf operation is cow herd depreciation. For most of us, even if we are not aware of it, cow depreciation is our second-highest expense after cow herd maintenance. It is a problem often ignored because cull cows generate cash flow, but having cows drop out of the cow […] Read more
Duane and Bonnie Friesen and their three children, Daniel, Rebekka and Adele.
Cow-Calf, Crops, Features

Meet your farming neighbours: Duane and Bonnie Friesen

This is the story of Duane and Bonnie Friesen, 
near Cecil Lake, B.C.

By
Every farm has its own story. No two farms (or farmers) are exactly alike. Everyone got started in a different way, and every farm has a different combination of family and hired staff who make the decisions and keep things running. But, in general, even after you consider all of the details, farmers are more alike than different. This is the story of Duane Freisen, who farms […] Read more
The difference between the cash market and the futures market is called the “basis,” and it can send an important message about when to sell or not sell.
Finishers, Livestock, Markets

More on feeder cattle risk management

Market Update: Looking a little deeper into messages from the market

By
In the winter of 2017 I wrote a series of articles about price risk management for feeder cattle. I discussed hedging feeder cattle on the CME feeder cattle futures and also conducted a risk analysis on the basis for feeder cattle prices in Manitoba. Read more: Understanding feeder cattle risk: Pt. 1 Read more: Understanding feeder cattle […] Read more

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In case you missed it; your national ag news recap for Sept. 5, 2025

Sponsored By:
More Videos →

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast

Latest Market News

More Market News →