(USDA.gov via Flickr)

Southern Plains drought slows U.S. cattle herd growth

Chicago | Reuters — Encroaching drought in the U.S. southern Plains contributed to the smallest rise in the nation’s cattle population in three years, analysts said after the government’s semi-annual cattle inventory report on Wednesday. Insufficient moisture in parts of Texas and Oklahoma, along with areas of persistent dryness in the northern Plains, hurt winter […] Read more



(USDA.gov via Flickr)

Drought lands more cattle into U.S. feedlots than expected

Chicago | Reuters — Ranchers sent nearly one per cent more cattle to U.S. feedlots in December than the same time a year earlier, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on Friday. The result topped most analysts’ predictions, mainly led by worsening drought in the U.S. southern Plains that shriveled available winter wheat grazing pasture. […] Read more




(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market remains firm into 2018

Western Canadian feeder cattle markets experienced limited activity over the past week because most auction barns were closed for the holiday season. There was some reported activity in certain regions such as central Alberta and prices were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Frigid temperatures tempered buying activity. Feedlots in the nearby area of the […] Read more



(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

Feed barley in sync with Manitoba corn

CNS Canada — This year’s bumper harvest of Manitoba corn is making an impact at Alberta feedlots. According to Market Place Commodities at Lethbridge, feed barley prices are near the $215 per tonne mark, down $5 from a few weeks ago. “Corn is filling some of the volume demand, so it is keeping the price […] Read more