Livestock & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

Producers get hands-on experience managing unexpected calving problems without the stakes of live animals at the Manitoba Beef and Forage Production Conference in Brandon in December 2023.

THROWBACK: Pro tips for a calving crisis

When is it actually time to call in the vet?

By Alexis Stockford February 15, 2026

This article from 2024 walked farmers through common calving issues, and when the dystocia is serious enough that you need to call the vet. With Manitoba’s 2026 calf crop coming, we’re digging this one out from our archive. The calf was breech. Standing a few feet away, Brandon veterinarian Dr. Grayson Ross coached the producer

In the latter half of 2025, 5.6 per cent more more chicks were placed for broiler production than in the same period in 2024. Photo: Getty Images Plus

Livestock, News

Chicken, eggs benefit from demand for economical protein

By Geralyn Wichers February 13, 2026

Strong demand for protein and status as an economical alternative to beef bodes well for chicken and egg demand in 2026 according to recent analysis from Farm Credit Canada.

Livestock, News

Manitoba Pork members vote in favour of levy hike

Levy had not been raised since 2004, was lowest in Canada

By Adam Peleshaty February 13, 2026

Manitoba Pork Council members have voted in favour of raising its per animal levy.

Spain is the European Union’s leading pork producer, accounting for a quarter of the bloc’s output and with annual exports worth about 3.5 billion euros (C$5.65 billion). Photo: Geralyn Wichers

Livestock, News, Reuters

Spain detects first swine fever cases outside initial Barcelona outbreak zone

By Reuters February 13, 2026

Two African swine fever cases have been detected in Spain among wild boar for the first time outside an original outbreak area near Barcelona, prompting additional restrictions on the movement of people and livestock, regional authorities in Catalonia said on Friday.

Calving gets underway at a farm in central Manitoba in 2024. Photo: Jeannette Greaves

Beef cattle, Livestock

Different herd, different approach needed for vaccinating calves

Intranasal calf vaccines are common, but they’re not right for every herd

By Miranda Leybourne February 13, 2026

Intranasal vaccines are common on Canadian beef farms, but they’re not right for every herd’s calf vaccination needs.

Carson Callum, chief executive officer of Manitoba Beef Producers, speaks at the group's annual general meeting in Brandon, Man. on Feb. 12, 2026. Photo: Miranda Leybourne

Livestock

Manitoba greenlights satellite-based forage insurance

Pilot insurance program will cut paperwork for farmers, province says; feeder cattle loans also boosted

By Miranda Leybourne February 12, 2026

Pilot insurance program will cut paperwork for farmers, province says; feeder cattle loans also boosted

Livestock, Reuters

Cargill to close Wisconsin beef plant, cut 221 jobs

By Karl Plume, Reuters February 12, 2026

U.S. agribusiness Cargill will permanently close its beef processing facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and eliminate 221 jobs, according to a filing with the state, the latest U.S. beef plant to be shuttered amid rising costs for meatpackers.

Cattle graze from feed dropped onto the ground by a truck and TMR mixer at a winter grazing tour on Bos Family Farms near Rapid City, Man., on Jan. 12, 2026. Photo: Miranda Leybourne

Beef cattle, Livestock

Winter grazing strategies offer cost relief for Manitoba cattle producer

With proper testing and balancing, cover crops, straw and silage can reduce winter feed costs

By Miranda Leybourne February 12, 2026

How cover crops, straw and silage pile grazing fit in a western Manitoba rancher’s winter feeding plan — and how to make sure they meet cattle’s nutritional needs.

Livestock, Markets

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures jump back up, hogs fall

By Geralyn Wichers February 11, 2026

Chicago cattle futures jumped back up after Tuesday’s losses while hogs continued to slide. Most-active April live cattle contracts gained 3.550 cents to close at 240.975 cents per pound. June live cattle settled at 236.575 cents a pound, up 2.775 cents. Most-traded March feeder cattle closed at 367.450 cents per pound, up 2.675 cents. April

Young steers at Gladstone Auction Mart, Oct. 28, 2025.

Beef cattle, Livestock Markets, Markets

Manitoba cattle prices, Feb. 11

Cattle prices from Manitoba auction markets for the period of Feb. 2-10, 2026

By Phil Franz-Warkentin February 11, 2026

Your overview of cattle prices from Manitoba's livestock auction markets for the period of Feb. 2-10, 2026.

Daily Network News

Health Canada stops sales of coccidiosis medication Deccox on procedural issue

Canadian cattle herd sees first annual increase since 2018

Olymel parent company sees increased earnings in 2025