Wayne Knight’s advice is to create a plan that makes a cattle producer prepared for any disruptions in their operation, and then stick to that plan.
Tag Archives herd expansion
Drought preparation is better than reaction
Wayne Knight shares a step-by-step guide on building a drought preparation plan
U.S. cattle herd contraction coming to an end
The Markets: Watch for calf prices to start to decline in 2026
Beef calf price should continue to be strong in 2025, but a growing cow herd could mean lower prices in 2026.
Fed market reflects beginning signs of herd expansion
The Markets: Beef cow numbers are still expected to decline in 2024 and 2025
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices have been trading near historical highs throughout the summer and early fall period. At the time of writing this article, larger-frame Angus steers off grass averaging 950 lbs. were trading around $320/cwt in central Alberta. Steers averaging 500 lbs. were quoted between $450/cwt and $500/cwt, depending on weaning stage and […] Read more
Is it time for beef cow herd expansion?
Prices for calves have been strong, but it usually takes a year of high calf prices before expansion starts
Feeder cattle have been trading near historical highs over the past six months. I’ve received many emails and inquiries from cattle producers asking if there is still an opportunity to expand their herds. Producers also ask if they should buy now or wait until spring. Medium-quality bred cows have been trading in the range of […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Hogs up before USDA confirms herd expansion
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lean hog futures rallied on Thursday on short-covering and position squaring near the end of the month and quarter after prices hit multi-month lows earlier this week, traders said. Investors also squared bets ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) quarterly hog and pig supply report, […] Read more
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
Klassen: Feeder cattle markets digest USDA inventory report
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $5 higher to as much as $10 lower compared to week-ago levels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cattle on Feed report, along with U.S. inventory data, confirmed larger beef supplies in upcoming months, which set a negative sentiment amongst feedlot operators. Auction markets experienced variable price ranges on similar-weight […] Read more
Drought creates speed bump for cattle herd expansion
CNS Canada — Expansion efforts in Canada’s cattle sector are likely taking a breather right now, as a lack of rain in Alberta and Saskatchewan creates challenges for ranchers trying to feed their animals. According to Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock Inc. at Taber, Alta., some cattle in the western Prairies are already being moved […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
