In this weeks Beef Market Update Anne Dunford and I discuss the difficult market for feeders right now as cattle feeders await the arrival of the calf run. Limited calves have come to the market so far but the ones that have have a nice little premium attached. With a flat fat cattle market, weaker... Read More
Category: Livestock
Animal activists often criticize that animal agriculture does not care for its livestock in a humane manner. Those of us in the industry realize that this is a ridiculous notion. At a dairy, animal care is ever more important due to the rule of "a happy cow produces more milk." In the category of providing... Read More
The rancher has some decision making to do. Should I bring my calves to market, retain ownership feeding them or hold back the heifers for breeding stock? Everyone has an opinion on this topic but getting a definite conclusive opinion is very difficult. In reality we can only look at the market dynamics and see... Read More
One of my favourite things to do at a farm show is check out some of the cool new inventions that people have come up with. Most of the time the inventions really have limited scope and will provide little value to the greater farming community except for a few neighbours. But once in awhile... Read More
Many times when we compare agriculture in Canada versus the United States we tend to focus on the differences. When in reality there are more similarities between the two countries. This week I went to Indianapolis with Dow Agro Sciences to learn about the things that the company is working on. Before we went to... Read More
This year will be remembered as the year of expecting the unexpected. Whether you are farming, cattle feeding or ranching the weather and the market has been very wicked and harsh at times. This week on the Beef Market Update with Anne Dunford, we discuss the fact the yearling run is over but we are... Read More
Earlier in the week Anne Dunford brought up a great question during the Beef Market Update. Will ranchers be holding back more heifers to restock the cow herd or cash in on some higher values and run? With the trend definitely pointing to a continued herd reduction, what will stop it? Is it inevitable that... Read More
Every equation has a set of variables that impact the outcome. All variables have different levels of sensitivities and betas. The current fall run is shaping up to be a very interesting one. All the variables seem to be up in the air and creating a real sense of uncertainty. The interesting fact is that... Read More
By Megan Oleksyn Peas, barley and corn, oh my! Here in Western Canada, there are many different forage crops that can be cost-effectively turned into silage for cattle. High River area rancher, Phil Rowland, comments that silage is €œthe easiest way to put up a consistent quality forage crop in Alberta€™s variable climate conditions.€ And... Read More
There is never a shortage of issues in the cattle business. Since 2003 we have dealt a rising currency, export bans and struggles with boxed beef demand. On the bright side the supply equation looks to be bullish and demand for middle meat appears to be recovering. On the political side there has been some... Read More