“Those dairy farmers print money!” That’s what a friend of mine says every time the subject of dairy farms comes up. Drive down many roads in Canada and it’s easy to see how that perception was born. Huge brand new facilities, multi-site operations with finely manicured yards and milking parlors with nicer tile most people’s… Read More

As the cattle industry contemplates the rebuilding of the cow herd, bull selection strategies will become incredibly important to ranchers profitability in the future.  Once better known as an art, bull selection is a science now.  Gone are the days when an old cowboy could walk out into a pen and say, “I like the… Read More

The way that feedyard owners handle cattle has a massive impact on gains and the overall health of the animal. Many of you have used the snake and tub concept originally designed by Temple Grandin (i think?) When I was at the NCBA convention I ran into a very cool booth that was giving live… Read More

With growing concern over the realities of a limited calf supply do to the aggressive culled cow rate in the past five years. Ranchers are optimistic in their economic future because of the barriers of re-entry and the inability for supply to increase in the near term. I discussed the cow calf supply issue with… Read More

It seems that a cowboy is judged by a couple different metrics.  He’s judged by the way he wears his cowboy hat, the brand of chew he carries, and the kind of boots he wears.  I really have none of those since I don’t wear a hat, don’t chew and never wear boots.  How would… Read More

I have now been to the NCBA twice and both were very interesting experiences. In 2010, the cattle industry was begging for different fortunes while in 2011 the meeting was lifted with significant bullsihness for cattle prices. I can remember meeting with Gregg Doud, NCBA Chief Economist at the 2010 meeting where I asked him,… Read More

It’s very interesting to listen to the people that attended the NCBA meeting during the height of the BSE outbreak.  They will tell you that as Canadian’s our presence at the NCBA was met with a tiny bit of friction.  Now the relationship is on much firmer footing and returning to the strength seen in… Read More

One of the highlights of the the NCBA convention every year is the cattle market outlook by CattleFax. As everyone left the session on Friday the consensus of the attendees was, “CattleFax is very bullish.” At the NCBA 2011 convention I had the opportunity to discuss the cattle market with Duane Lenz of CattleFax.  Duane… Read More

It is really hard to find analysts, feeders and ranchers that are bearish on this cattle market. The industry as a whole is pretty bullish in comparison to prior years and especially in comparison to two years ago.  Everyone is bullish prices in 2011 but are they bullish margins and if they are not, should… Read More

 

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