(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

(Dave Bedard photo)

Small U.S. meatpackers get boost from Biden administration

FUNDING Latest round of grants and loans aims to diversify meat processing after COVID disruptions

Reuters — The Biden administration is awarding an additional US$9.6 million in grants and loans to expand meat processing across the country, it announced Jan. 5, as the government tries to diversify the industry beyond four companies that have long dominated it. The effort to expand meat processing capacity comes after COVID-19 infections among workers


U.S. beef pricing bill on Canadian radar

U.S. beef pricing bill on Canadian radar

The Canadian sector says U.S. packer competition and price discovery are good for cattle producers north of the border

The United States is pondering federal legislation to boost competition among beef packers and improve cattle price discovery, and the Canadian cattle industry is watching closely. “Producers in general, but more specifically cattle and beef producers on both sides of the border, crave better price transparency and price discovery,” Manitoba Beef Producers president Tyler Fulton

Comment: A beef with greed

Comment: A beef with greed

Legal wrangling may expose Canada’s lack of action on collusion in the food market

We recently learned that a Quebec-based group is leading the class-action lawsuit aimed at major federally licensed beef packers. Cargill, JBS Food Company, Tyson Foods and National Beef Packing Company are all accused of colluding and inflating beef prices since 2015. So, if you’re a consumer in Quebec who’s been buying beef since 2015, you





CME December 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: USDA lifts estimates for beef production, cattle prices

December live cattle up, lean hogs lower

Chicago | Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday raised its forecast for beef production and cattle prices in 2021 and 2022 due to strong demand and heavier livestock. Robust sales of U.S. beef to domestic consumers and overseas buyers have helped support Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) cattle futures. USDA, in a monthly


CME December 2021 live cattle (candlesticks) with Bollinger bands (20,2). (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: CME cattle, hog futures fall

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle and hog futures weakened Wednesday, with live cattle sagging to their lowest in three months on sluggish cash market activity, traders said. The hog market was pressured by concerns about demand in China, where high prices have slowed the consumption of pork. CME December live cattle settled

U.S. President Joe Biden tours a manufacturing lab at McHenry County College during a visit to northwest Chicago suburb Crystal Lake on July 7, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)

Biden seeks to lift limits on U.S. farmer dealings with tractor makers, packers

Executive order to address corporate 'abuses of power'

Washington | Reuters — U.S. President Joe Biden wants to give that country’s farmers more power in negotiating the sale of livestock to big processors and in deciding who repairs their tractors, the White House said on Tuesday. The executive order, expected within days, will also address such competitive issues as delayed airline baggage, cellphone