Latest in Production of Livestock Ontario

Pigs can’t fly: U.S. high-end livestock breeders lose millions in China tariff fallout

China has been a key importer of American hog and dairy cattle genetics, but shipments have stalled

By Heather Schlitz, Reuters May 22, 2025

China is one of the biggest importers of American breeding pigs and other livestock genetic material such as cattle semen. These lucrative niche export markets had been growing, but dried up since U.S. President Donald Trump started a trade war with Beijing.

A man cleans a tractor at a sanitary barrier, after Brazil confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on Friday, triggering protocols for a country-wide trade ban from top buyer China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers, in Montenegro, Brazil May 17, 2025. REUTERS/Diego Vara

Livestock, News, reuters

Brazil hopes to be officially free of bird flu in 28 days

By Ana Mano, Reuters, Roberto Samora May 22, 2025

Brazil began a 28-day bird flu observation period on Thursday which it hopes will show the country's chicken farms are free of the disease after local authorities said a farm where its first outbreak was detected had been fully disinfected.

Livestock

‘It still hurts. You never forget.’

Dave and Carolyn Biesenthal reflect on the Walkerton water crisis 25 years later

By Diana Martin May 22, 2025

Dave and Carolyn Biesenthal reflect on how it felt to be accused of water contamination, the cause of the Walkerton Water Crisis.

Livestock, Markets, reuters

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures climb as wholesale US beef prices firm

By P.J. Huffstutter, Reuters May 21, 2025

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle firmed on Wednesday as wholesale prices continued to rise and consumer demand for beef has stayed strong amid the U.S. grilling season, market analysts said.

Livestock, News

Human diabetes drug can keep hens laying eggs

Metformin improves broiler breeder chickens’ metabolic health as they age say Penn State researchers

By Geralyn Wichers May 21, 2025

Human diabetes drug metformin, which is also used to treat hormonal disorder PCOS in women, can improve the metabolic health of broiler breeder chickens and allow them to lay fertile eggs later in life.

Livestock, News

Human diabetes drug can keep hens laying eggs

Metformin improves broiler breeder chickens’ metabolic health as they age say Penn State researchers

By Geralyn Wichers May 21, 2025

Human diabetes drug metformin, which is also used to treat hormonal disorder PCOS in women, can improve the metabolic health of broiler breeder chickens and allow them to lay fertile eggs later in life.

The new facility, to be constructed in Saskatoon, will be 53,000 sq. feet and include technology advancements such as a state-of-the-art tempering room, an automated bacon line, an automated injection system and natural gas smokehouses. Photo: Screencap via youtube.com/@drakemeats1447

Livestock, News

Drake Meats to build new facility

By Janelle Rudolph May 21, 2025

Saskatchewan meat company Drake Meats Processors Inc. will be building a new meat processing facility in Saskatoon that is expected to employ 200 local people once fully operational.

Livestock, Markets

U.S. livestock: Chicago hogs, cattle mixed

By Geralyn Wichers May 20, 2025

Chicago cattle and lean hog futures ended mixed on Wednesday even as consumer demand remained strong ahead of Memorial Day.

Cattle graze in Manitoba’s Parkland region. Photo: Alexis Stockford

Livestock, Markets

Klassen: Buying interest for feeder cattle subsides

By Jerry Klassen May 20, 2025

For the week ending May 16, Western Canadian feeder markets were steady to $6 higher on average compared to seven days earlier. Heifers were relatively unchanged but steers were notably stronger, especially on replacements over 800 pounds.

Canada’s beef sector hopes to see knowledge advances in a variety of topics from the newest funding round announced by the Beef Cattle Research Council. PHOTO: MIRANDA LEYBOURNE

Livestock, Markets

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures, beef boxes recover some losses

By Adam Peleshaty May 16, 2025

Glacier FarmMedia | MarketsFarm – Cattle contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange made small gains on Friday, providing little relief at the end of a tough week. The August live cattle contract gained US$0.900 per hundredweight to close at US$206.750. Meanwhile, August feeder cattle saw an increase of US$1.775/cwt. to end the day at US$297.600. […] Read more

Livestock — page 12

Pigs can’t fly: U.S. high-end livestock breeders lose millions in China tariff fallout

Brazil hopes to be officially free of bird flu in 28 days

‘It still hurts. You never forget.’

U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures climb as wholesale US beef prices firm

Human diabetes drug can keep hens laying eggs

Human diabetes drug can keep hens laying eggs

Drake Meats to build new facility

U.S. livestock: Chicago hogs, cattle mixed

Klassen: Buying interest for feeder cattle subsides

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures, beef boxes recover some losses

Cyber-Savvy Farmer