Livestock
Reading Time: 7 minutes Carla and Tyrone Borsa had already put a lot of research into their Rosthern, Sask., sheep operation even before the first set of cloven hooves hit the pasture in 2022. Almost three years later, that focus on quality sheep production has netted twenty-five mature Dorset ewes and two Canadian Arcott rams. And although the Borsas […] Read more
Balancing the ups and downs of raising sheep
The ups and downs of raising sheep can be balanced by a supportive network and shared knowledge
US chicken, pork plant workers face higher health risks, USDA studies confirm
Reading Time: 2 minutes Workers in U.S. chicken and pork plants face higher risks than other manufacturing workers for musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, according to two studies the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued on Friday.
U.S. livestock: Cattle add to gains; exports up year-over-year in November
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures added small gains to contract highs, Friday. Most active February live cattle futures closed at 198.775 cents per pound, up 1.175 cents from Thursday. April live cattle were up 1.200 cents to 199.475 cents a pound.
USDA says it has not set Jan. 20 as date to resume Mexican cattle imports
Reading Time: < 1 minute The U.S. Department of Agriculture has not established Jan. 20 as a date to resume cattle imports from Mexico, the agency said on Wednesday, after it blocked shipments in November over the discovery of the New World screwworm pest in Mexico.
US to build new stockpile of bird flu vaccine for poultry
Reading Time: < 1 minute The U.S. will rebuild its stockpile of bird flu vaccines for poultry matched to the current strain of the virus circulating among commercial flocks and wild birds, the Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday.
U.S. Livestock: Cattle futures running into resistance at highs
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cattle futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange continued to rise Tuesday. Most active February live cattle futures ended up 0.375 cents per pound at 195.575 cents a pound. Values hit fresh highs in many months, although ideas the market was looking overbought tempered the advances.
Klassen: Stronger fed market to pull up feeder complex
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Alberta fed cattle market was quoted on a live basis in the range of range of $262-$265/cwt fob feedlot last week. Fed cattle forward contracts for March and April delivery (Alberta) were quoted from $270 to $272/cwt. Compared to last week of November 2024, fed prices are up $20/cwt on average.
U.S. Livestock: Falling temps boost cattle futures
Reading Time: < 1 minute Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were stronger Monday, hitting fresh contract highs in many months as forecasts calling for cold temperatures across United States ranching areas raised concerns over reduced weight gains for grazing cattle.
US to award $306 million for bird flu monitoring and preparedness
Reading Time: < 1 minute The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said on Friday it would award $306 million (C$441.7 million) in funds to help bird flu monitoring, as the virus spreads in dairy herds and farm workers across the country.
Klassen: Feeder market has many factors to digest in 2025
Reading Time: 2 minutes For the week ending December 28, there were no feeder cattle sales in Western Canada; however, that didn’t stop cattle producers from emailing or calling me over the holidays inquiring about market direction. I thought it would be an opportune time to discuss a couple factors that will influence the market direction over the next couple of months.
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
