Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged to slightly softer compared to mid-December. The market was lightly tested, with direct off farm to feedlot trade, but auction market activity was rather quiet. Winter conditions in southern Alberta caused buyers to be on the defensive, with lighter calves reflecting small discounts; however, vaccinated feeders on […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market starts year with cautious tone
Klassen: Favourable margins support feeder market
Reading Time: 2 minutes There were no sales last week with auction barns closed for the holiday season; therefore, we start the year looking forward at factors that will influence the feeder market over the next month. While the feeder market was quiet, feedlot operators were surprised with the U.S. fed cattle market jumping US$3-$4 from seven days earlier. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market ends year on firm tone
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets traded $3-$5 higher. Auction barns in the major feeding regions of Alberta had limited numbers on offer last week; therefore, major operations were sourcing feeders from farther distances. While most feedlots are carrying sufficient numbers, year-end buying was able set the market on a firm tone. April […] Read more
Bovine TB probe expands to Saskatchewan
Reading Time: 2 minutes Updated, Dec. 24 — Some cattle in Saskatchewan are now under federally imposed movement controls as testing for bovine tuberculosis expands to 14 domestic herds in three provinces. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced Friday the tracing of a single case of bovine TB in a beef cow from a farm in British Columbia’s southern […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market bounces off recent lows
Reading Time: 2 minutes Compared to last week, yearlings traded $5 to as much as $10 higher while calf markets strengthened by $4-$8. Southern Alberta experienced winds of extreme nature over the past few weeks, which caused buyers to shy away from the market; however, with year-end right around the corner, pent-up demand stepped forward with a vengeance in […] Read more
Six more cattle herds to be tested in TB probe
Reading Time: 2 minutes Updated, Dec. 20 — Cattle from four more herds in British Columbia and two in Alberta are now being tested for bovine tuberculosis as officials probe the country’s latest domestic case of the disease. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Monday reported the six herds are now under “movement controls” while TB testing is underway. […] Read more
McDonald’s to curb antibiotic use in its beef supply
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — McDonald’s Corp. said Tuesday it plans to reduce the use of antibiotics in its global beef supply, fueling projections that other restaurants will follow suit. The move by the world’s biggest fast-food chain addresses concerns that the overuse of antibiotics vital to fighting human infections in farm animals may diminish the drugs’ effectiveness […] Read more
U.S. investigators question shareholders of Brazil’s JBS
Reading Time: < 1 minute Brasilia | Reuters –– U.S. investigators this week visited Brazil to question shareholders of J+F Investimentos, the holding company that controls meatpacker JBS SA, as part of an existing plea deal, Brazilian prosecutors said on Friday in a statement. U.S. authorities have been investigating the companies controlled by J+F since their largest shareholders — brothers […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market searching for direction
Reading Time: 2 minutes Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were quite variable from seven days earlier. Prices were unchanged in the eastern Prairie regions; however, Alberta markets traded $3 to as much as $7 below week-ago levels. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlot inventories are running 16 per cent above year-ago levels, so there’s limited buying power available. Calves are fleshier […] Read more
Alberta cattle producers vote to keep refundable checkoff
Reading Time: 2 minutes Preliminary results in Alberta beef producers’ service charge plebiscite put a slim majority in favour of keeping their checkoff refundable. Out of 1,874 votes cast, 962 votes, or 51.3 per cent, fell in favour of a refundable service charge model, with 908 for a non-refundable model and four ballots spoiled, according to the preliminary figures […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
