livestock feed Archives - Page 2 of 6

If there are wet conditions during the growing season, producers should think about have alfalfa hay tested for nitrate levels.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Include high-quality alfalfa in a balanced dairy ration

Dairy Corner: Test for nitrates if the crop was produced under high-moisture conditions

By Peter Vitti April 25, 2023

High-quality alfalfa has not escaped the high cost of other dairy feeds, and thus significantly contributes to the record-setting cost of producing milk. And last year’s foul growing season, with wet conditions in some areas across the Prairies, was not kind to some alfalfa crops, resulting in some sprouting. This resulted in a few cases […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Feed markets, Markets

Understanding feedlot margins

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Much depends on having a risk management plan in place

By Jerry Klassen March 2, 2023

Feeding cattle is a unique business. Feedlot margins are often in negative territory. When there is a profitable period, it is relatively short lived. I often receive calls from cow-calf producers and other readers asking about margins for the feedlot operator. How can feedlots continue to operate after a prolonged period of negative margins? In […] Read more

Cereals, Markets

Feed weekly outlook: Tight logistics underpinning Prairie feed market

By GFM Network News November 4, 2022

MarketsFarm – Canada’s barley crop may have improved considerably in 2022 compared to 2021’s drought-stricken crop, but the logistics of getting that grain to Alberta’s feedlot alley are keeping prices well supported. Canada grew 9.4 million tonnes of barley during the 2022 growing season, which was up by 35 per cent from the previous year. […] Read more

Mycotoxins, such as vomitoxin, are produced primarily by Gibberella ear moulds (seen here) and can be disruptive when fed to livestock, especially hogs. Photo: OMAFRA

Corn, Crops, Reuters

U.S. corn farmers wary of vomitoxin, latest stress on global grain supplies

By Mark Weinraub, GFM Network News November 2, 2022

Chicago | Reuters – A fungus that causes “vomitoxin” has been found in some U.S. corn harvested this fall, causing headaches for growers and livestock producers and forcing ethanol plants and grain elevators to scrutinize grain deliveries. The situation is another hit to global grain supplies that have sunk to the lowest in a decade since Russia […] Read more

Prices for feed barley and feed wheat in Alberta are higher than last year. Photo: Canada Beef

Barley, Cereals, Markets

Feed weekly outlook: Good quality, yields amid rising feed prices

By GFM Network News October 27, 2022

MarketsFarm – With harvesting operations coming to a close, there were very few complaints about the quality and yields of new crop feed grains, according to one Lethbridge, Alta.-based trader. “Quality-wise, everything’s been sounding good for the most part. A couple of areas might have a bit of lighter bushels, but for the most part […] Read more

The developer of Velcro got the idea from burdock seed heads. While Velcro turned out to be a great thing for consumer products, the burrs that stick to livestock (and humans) are not just a nuisance but can have a negative health and economic impact.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Burdock control is a year-round project

Plants reduce forage production and their sticky burrs can devalue and injure livestock

By Heather Smith Thomas September 14, 2022

Burdock is an invasive plant that causes problems for livestock and crops. The tall burdock plant (a native of Eurasia, brought to North America by seed burrs stuck to imported animals) is a biennial. Burdock flowers in late summer, producing a composite seed head which matures by mid-August in southern areas and later in northern […] Read more

Compared to last week, calves under 550 pounds were up $6 to $8 on average. Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Light test of feeder cattle reflects hot demand

By Jerry Klassen, GFM Network News August 2, 2022

Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; prices for mid-weight calves were $2 to $5 higher. Calves under 550 pounds were up $6 to $8 on average while feather light bawlers were up a sold $10 above week-ago levels. Weaker feed grain prices along with strength in the deferred live cattle […] Read more

Price movement for both feed barley and feed wheat in Western Canada have been mixed. Photo: Canada Beef Inc.

Cereals, Crops, Markets

Feed weekly outlook: Barley, wheat prices starting to soften

By GFM Network News June 23, 2022

MarketsFarm – It appears that the days of feedlots on the Prairies primarily using corn may be coming to an end. After nearly a year of feedlots importing corn from the United States, due to tight supply and higher prices for feed barley and feed wheat in Western Canada, demand has mostly turned towards cereal […] Read more

File photo of a garbage dump at Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T. (Rlesyk/iStock/Getty Images)

General, Markets, Reuters, Weather

Canada launches offset credits to help tackle emissions

Landfill gas protocols now launched; ag-related protocols soon to follow

By GFM Network News June 9, 2022

Reuters — Canada on Wednesday launched a credit system for greenhouse gas offsets, a major part of its plan to cut carbon emissions, starting with a set of rules stipulating how projects can generate tradeable credits by capturing gas from landfills. The government said protocols for four other sectors including agriculture and forest management are […] Read more

Beef demand appears to be somewhat softer compared to January.

Cattleman’s Corner, Feed markets, Markets

Cattle market contends with softer demand and rising grain prices

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: As Russia and Ukraine ban grain exports, Canada may become a major supplier in some markets

By Jerry Klassen April 8, 2022

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range $272-$275 during the second week of March, relatively unchanged from 30 days earlier. Live bids were reported at $161 f.o.b. the feedlot in Alberta. The Alberta cash trade continues to trade at a $13-14 discount to the U.S. However, this spread had […] Read more

Media reports suggest U.S. dairy access to Canada a topic of conversation in Ottawa

U.S. livestock: Cattle choppy amid weak cash market, tight supply

China’s canola, soybeans imports to drop one million tonnes each

GFM Network News