With the devastating effects of the E-coli outbreak in Germany being played out in the media, the results of a U.S. study on the increased shedding of another strain of the bacteria by cattle fed corn DDGs is getting more attention than it normally would . The U.S. study linked increased levels of E-coli 0157... Read More
Category: Livestock
A new single national agency for beef marketing, promotion and research is in the works for Canadian cattle producers. The new single agency comes as a result of a Canadian Beef Export Federation member vote to consolidate their operation with that of the Beef Information Centre (BIC) and the national beef checkoff agency. The merger... Read More
Wet weather and flood conditions have packed a punch this year in Manitoba. While the effect on cropland has been tremendous, the effect on cattle producers has been widespread as well. This is the time of year when producers move cattle to pasture, but this year, a great deal of pastureland is underwater or soaked... Read More
Its sometimes staggering how quickly the mood of a market can change. With US cattle on feed placements being higher by 10% compared to a year ago the resulting plethora of beef to move to the market means lower prices in the short term. Canadian cattle feeders are getting the benefit of a very narrow... Read More
Alberta Pork is taking unprecedented steps to help its producers deal with the economic hardships faced over the past years. Two million dollars collected by the organization will be refunded back to producers. The Organization made the move after it was unable to find a partner with which to leverage its funds to create programs... Read More
Wet weather hasn't just played havoc for farmers trying to get into their fields, feedlot operators across the west are dealing with disastrous conditions in their pens. Those muddy wet, conditions impact cattle movement and gains in the yard. Producers are bedding cattle, moving cattle, or cleaning what they can in the pen to... Read More
With the record high fat cattle prices behind us, we have entered the spring lulls which usually bring the same sentiment. This year many producers are staring at expensive inventory, potential sky rocketing feed costs and some nice profits made in the first four months of the year. With the seasonal summer lows expected to... Read More
When things are profitable for the feedlot operator, we generally see those operators start to fill pens. That's the historic trend and it just makes good sense. However, the Canfax numbers for March show cattle placements down again in Canada. As the number of cattle on-feed drop, producers who depend on those numbers begin to... Read More
Over the past few years U.S. DDGs have worked their way more and more into Western Canadian livestock rations. The energy value is good, the starch content is less, helps to prevent acidosis in cattle, improved feed conversions and the quality and yield grades of carcasses remain unaffected when switching from traditional rations. Another big... Read More
When the media talks about profitability in the cattle business most times we talk about ranchers and feedyard owners. The other part of the beef value chain that cannot be forgotten is the cattle packer. Packers have not had a real great run as of late which has meant four day kill weeks. As we... Read More