File photo of signage outside Maple Leaf Foods’ Lagimodiere Boulevard plant in Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

Maple Leaf sees ‘inflection point’ beyond red ink of 2022

Packer books net losses in Q4, full-year

Another of Canada’s major pork and poultry packers has reported significant net losses in its 2022 ledger, but sees “green shoots” suggesting a return to normal pork markets and stable supply chains this year. Maple Leaf Foods on Thursday reported a net loss of $311.89 million on $4.739 billion in gross sales for its fiscal

CME April 2023 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle hit one-month low on profit-taking

Hogs, feeder cattle also lower

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures fell to their lowest price in more than a month, while feeder cattle sank below a one-week low on Monday on profit-taking following recent rallies, brokers said. Feeder cattle closed lower for the third consecutive session after the front-month contract touched a 2015 high last


When used properly, heat lamps can help newborn livestock stay warm during harsh weather.

Take precautions when using heat lamps for newborn livestock

The use of heat lamps increases the risk of fire, but with proper safety precautions they can be a helpful tool

As spring approaches, many ranchers prepare a clean, dry and warm place for newborn animals. Frigid temperatures make it a challenge to keep newborn livestock warm and protected from harsh winter elements. One option is to provide supplemental heat from heat lamps but severe risks can accompany their use inside a barn. “As livestock producers,

CME April 2023 feeder cattle (right column) with Bollinger bands (20,2) and CBOT May 2023 corn (orange line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle retreat as corn prices rise

Live cattle also lower, lean hogs up

Chicago | Reuters — Feeder cattle futures on Friday extended a setback from 2015 highs the front-month contract reached this week, as rising corn prices temporarily dampened expectations for cheaper livestock feed, analysts said. Corn futures ended higher on the Chicago Board of Trade after sliding earlier to a seven-month low. Feed is generally the


(File photo by Dave Bedard)

Cyberattack a $23 million hit on Maple Leaf ledger

Company refused to pay ransom

Last fall’s ransomware attack at pork and poultry packer Maple Leaf Foods led to an “adverse economic impact” of $23 million or more on the company’s bottom line as it worked to restore systems, officials said. The company on Thursday released that estimate as part of its fourth-quarter financial report, in which it booked a

CME April 2023 feeder cattle with 20-day moving average (black line, right column) and CBOT May 2023 corn (orange line, left column). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle pull back

CME lean hogs end day mixed

Chicago | Reuters — Feeder cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Thursday ended lower on Thursday as the front-month contract pulled back from its highest prices in nearly 7-1/2 years. Traders took some profits after futures rallied recently on falling corn prices, brokers said, adding that continued declines in the corn market could


Crown land lease auctions have seen much of the available land go to large and established operations, members of the Manitoba Crown Land Leaseholders Association say.

Enter the bidding wars for Crown land

Crown land leaseholders decry what they say are a few big names taking up more than their share of forage leases

For producers like Shelley Dyck and Dakota Sorensen, the results of the 2023 Crown land lease auctions were disappointing but not unexpected. Those results illustrate concerns that they and other members of the Manitoba Crown Land Leaseholders Association have had for years. With few exceptions, almost all available parcels in the area around Ste. Rose

CME March 2023 feeder cattle with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle highest since 2015 as corn sags

Live cattle mixed, hogs mostly higher

Chicago | Reuters — Front-month feeder cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange hit the highest in nearly 7-1/2 years on Wednesday as falling prices for corn signaled cheaper feed costs, traders said. CME April feeder cattle futures settled up 1.4 cents at 200.075 cents/lb. after setting a life-of-contract high of 200.225 cents (all figures


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Klassen: Feeder market continues the climb

Statistics show tightening supplies in Canada, U.S.

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder markets yearling markets traded $2-$5 higher. Replacements in the 700- to 800-lb. weight category appeared to jump $5 to as much as $15 in some cases. Calves weighing 500-700 lbs. were unchanged to $4 higher on average after rallying nearly $20 over the past month. There were limited

CME April 2023 feeder cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME feeder cattle climb to another contract high

April live cattle lower, lean hogs up

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange feeder cattle futures reached a contract high for a second consecutive session on Tuesday, while live cattle futures retreated from a contract high set a day earlier, brokers said. Reduced U.S. herd sizes due to drought have propelled futures higher recently, though some brokers said supply concerns have