American beef exporters such as Tyson Foods have faced a double whammy from higher prices and the strength of the U.S. dollar, which makes their products less attractive to other countries.

Tyson feels beef squeeze

Company experiences tighter margins as U.S. reduces beef exports amid shrinking herd

The United States is importing record amounts of beef this year and exporting less after ranchers slashed the nation’s cattle herd to its lowest level in decades. That has tightened […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

CME cattle futures rout continues; hogs end lower

Despite small U.S. herd, placement into feedlots have been above last year's levels

Live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange dropped on Thursday to fresh multi-month lows on technical selling and weak beef prices at a time when feedlot supplies of market-ready cattle are rising, analysts said.


(Geralyn Wichers photo)

Klassen: Feeder market bounces on lower volumes

Feedlot operators believe yearling numbers will be down in March and April

Strength was noted in Manitoba and Saskatchewan while a softer tone was evident in Alberta. Once again, buyers shrugged off the weaker feeder cattle futures and the focus was on filling year-end orders. Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlots are carrying larger numbers but there appears to be sufficient bunk capacity available to sustain the price structure.