As I sit down to write this, it’s a cool rainy day in October... I’m definitely not complaining! After the hot dry summer we have had, it’s great to see it rain, to areas south and west of me it is snowing like crazy. Again I would say nobody is likely complaining, moisture of any kind is welcome. Overall most of western Canada had a better crop than expected, not a bumper crop, but still average in many areas. We need whatever rain, snow or what ever else wet can fall from the sky before next spring to replenish moisture levels. Having said that, the last couple weeks looks like it has remembered how to rain again and we will go into winter in decent shape. The fall calf run has begun and so far it has been very active, even as numbers on offer continue to rise the prices being paid are significantly higher than a year ago. In many classes prices are 30 to 40 cents per pound higher, which is a huge increase. I was receiving reports a month ago from people selling light calves and getting $150.00 per head more than last year. I had a client call me last week in a very good mood, they had just sold their steers that day.They weighed 718 pounds and sold for $2.14 per pound, last year the same
week at basically the same weight, they sold for $1.71 per pound. A $308.74 increase year over year, that’s huge! It is no wonder the attitude among beef producers is so good, even those with drought stress are still positive about the cow business, and with good reason.The Canadian beef industry is in good shape, we continue to produce a high quality and even maybe more important (to consumers and export customers) a safe, sustainably raised product. Those of you who have hung onto the cows tail, will continue to be rewarded for your efforts. Do you know that there are over a third less of you than in 2005 and that our cow numbers are at a 26 year low, predicted to be at a 27 year low next year.You will continue to be paid a sustainable price for your production, with less supply and more mouths to feed. In 1945 there were 7 cows for every 10 Canadians, in 2017 that number is 3 cows for every 10 Canadians.That is here at home and the rest of the world is following the same trend. “Momma it’s ok to let your babies grow up to be cowboys!”
Today’s Angus Advantage Member & Sale Directory Guide 2017
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10/31/2017 3:32:11 PM