Todays Angus Advantage Late Fall 2022

BAR-E-L MARG 2K

BROOKING NATIONAL x SOO LINE THOR 1199 daughter It’s easy to see at a glance the maternal look we see in the daughters of Brooking National 0144! As one of his first daughters to sell, Marg 2K displays this complete, easy fleshing look and will drop a picture-perfect, beautiful udder! The Marg family is consistent in production. Mass and dimension, feminine, rich milk, fertile - they have stayability.

Selling December 17 - The Angus Collection Sale, Olds, AB

BROOKING NATIONAL 0144

S A V RENOVATION 6822 x S00 LINE ROSE 1019

NATIONAL is a bull that is genuinely appreciated when you see him! Stout-featured, well-made, wide-hipped, and easy-fleshing, NATIONAL brings performance to all his progeny. He is an excellent breeding bull with superior soundness.

Selling: New Year’s Resolution Sale - December 31 Ten packages of semen - Last opportunity to buy semen in Canada for the upcoming breeding season.

As I write this editorial, we are enjoying being members of a great fraternity… the livestock industry. Finally, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. The sale barns throughout our nation are exciting venues to visit and watch the smiling faces of producers getting cheques with large increases in premiums which have been missing in the past decade. Cost of production has increased annually with BSE, Covid and weather disasters trying to interfere with our lives, but cattlemen are a resilient group who quietly and loyally produce and supply the consumers of the world, with high quality identifiable protein.

So… where are we going from here. How long will this last? Can these good markets maintain or increase? First and foremost, our beef cow inventory dropped another 3% last year, the lowest recorded numbers since 1988. Heifers kept for breeding were down 4% in Canada over the past year with Saskatchewan down 8.5% over that period. No doubt the drought was the culprit as it diminished pastures and feed supplies. Our friends south of the 49th parallel suffered the same peril this past summer in many of their cattle producing states. Their breeding stock levels shrunk while slaughter levels were up 2.5%.

The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner and are the world’s exporter of beef products. Their largest importers are Japan, China, South Korea, Canada, and Mexico. Canada, the

largest beef supplier, accounted for 28% of the total U.S. beef imports. We are dependent on our trading partners in both supply and markets. Canadian beef export markets are parallel to those in the United States. Beef cow herd numbers are dwindling in North America as farms and ranchers disappear with an aging population.

But consumption of red meat is increasing. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Department predicts that meat consumption will increase continually. The U.S., the world’s largest producer, also leads in consumption at 100 KG per capita while Canada is 8th in the world at 70 KGs per capita. Over the past decade, carcass quality has increased three-fold for yield, marbling, and taste… and that credit must be past on to the purebred breeders worldwide annually producing new predictable genetics. Supply and demand dictate the direction of markets and since the beef cycle runs from 8 to 12 years, the future for the beef cattle industry is very bullish… and owning livestock will be an asset to one’s portfolio.

As we enjoy our bullish fall, let’s not overlook our chores… looking for new genetics, cleaning up the cow herd and add some new female blood into your replacement pastures while they are still affordable. Remember we are only a month or two from herd bull shopping. Enjoy the fall cowboys… you deserve it!

Doug Munton: 403.328.6966

Mike Munton: 403.394.4903

Dale Fehr: 403.359.3274 Lane Doud: 403.308.4131

BJ & Jody Scheirlinck (403) 758-3339 (403) 929-2494 bjcc@xplornet.ca www.bjcattlecompany.com

John & Brenda Lutz (403) 642-2363 (403) 715-1347 bj.lutz76@gmail.com

Jim & Terry Newton (403) 758-6220 (403) 308-4123 jtnewton@xplornet.ca

Jon & Gillian McKenzie (403) 642-7256 Jim Wildeman (403) 861-0719 mckenziecattle@gmail.com www.mckenzieherefords.com

BEEF BULLETIN

VOLATILITY, BULL MARKETS AND CONFLICT

Basse addresses cattlemen at CAB’s Feeding Quality Forum. Story & photos by Miranda Reiman, senior associate editor

“As we look at the world economy, as we talk about what’s going on in agriculture, I have never seen so many balls in the air as we have right now. There’s so much going on,” said Dan Basse, president of AgResource Co., during the 2022 Feeding Quality Forum in August.

His career in market analysis spans four decades, and he told cattle feeders, ranchers and allied industry personnel gathered in Kansas City, Mo., that market volatility is as dramatic as ever.

Basse said agriculture today is a tale of multiple wars:

THE WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE.

Typically 40-60 ships a day would travel out of Ukraine exporting grains, and today that is down to five or six, Basse said. The conflict has disrupted world grain trade and made already tight worldwide stocks even tighter.

“If this war goes into next spring, a lot of Ukrainian farmers will be out of business,” he said. “Structurally I’m more concerned about that for agriculture than any other ingredient today.”

THE WAR OF MOTHER NATURE.

“I don’t want to pick a side on the climate debate … all I can do is look at the data and I can see very clearly that the weather in many of the main grain-producing areas has been getting much hotter than we’ve seen over the past, roughly hundreds of years,” Basse said.

The droughts, floods and “heatflation” have held national averages on grain yields fairly steady for several years. AgResource predicts a U.S. corn yield this year between 172 and 176 bushels per acre at a time when a productivity boost is needed, he said.

“Feed prices are not going to relent, but they are going to be volatile.”

THE WAR AGAINST INFLATION. “Notice that this is the biggest inflationary spike we have seen going back to the late 1970s,” Basse said.

Capital costs continue to increase, but the amount of commodities being produced is not increasing.

“I think we’re going to be stuck in a natural inflation rate between 3.5% and 4.5%.” The central banks will raise rates even higher to try to stimy that, Basse said, noting their goal of a 2% inflation rate. “The Fed (Federal Reserve) is trying to use a very blunt instrument, called rising interest rates, to hammer us in terms of demand.”

For all the challenges, Basse is encouraged by the record-high beef prices during this most recent time of record production, too. He says that bodes well for cattlemen now into the contraction phase of the cycle.

“We believe beef prices will soar higher as we head into the end of the year and early next year,” he said.

INDUCING COWS SAFELY

With calving for some only a few months away this may be a timely topic. There comes a time in cow calf production to induce cows to calve for a number of reasons. This may be because there is an abnormal pregnancy, the cow has a life-threatening condition, pregnancy has gone on too long leading to health issues. There are other specific reasons where management of the calving season may warrant inducing cows. In all the cases careful thought and examination must go into the final decision. The best outcome must be considered by yourself and your veterinarian as every case is unique and the ultimate goal is to have both the cow and calf survive.

If very close to the end of gestation, there are a few protocols to have a normal induction. The use of prostaglandins and dexamethasone in combination will give induction generally within 30-36 hours. I like to use the regular dose of prostaglandin ( 2cc of estrumate or equivalent product) and about 25 mg of dexamethasone but again your vet should have a formula they like for these prescription products. Everyone of these cases where induction has been contemplated an emergency c-section has been contemplated as well. One is often balancing the time taken to induce and the determined gestational length with the odds of both the calf’s and dam’s survival. Sometimes the dam is in grave health and our main goal is trying to salvage the calf and other times the pregnancy is abnormal, so one is trying to remove the calf to save the cow.

Conditions where I have induced cows or heard other veterinarians induce cows with success are fetal anasarca (collection of fluid in the fetus), hydrops (abnormal amount of fluid accumulation in the uterus making it life threatening), severe peritonitis, heart failure from hardware disease, severe pyelonephritis (kidney infection) and even severe pneumonia.

Cases where cows go down close to calving perhaps from getting too thin carrying twins are another example where inducing a bit early may get rid of the weight of the calves and uterine fluids allowing the cow to get up again. Downers pose their own set of management headaches. They must be on a soft well bedded area given feed and water. There are better ways to lift and transport them to

a more suitable location. Management of downers is a whole other topic to discuss and as far as induction goes may be a day by day collective decision as to if, when and how induction will happen.

Viability and closeness to due date for the calf’s sake is always a big decision. Do we have a breeding date (AI date or visualized breeding) how is udder fill and what does your veterinarian think on palpation? These are all very subjective calls and even if a breeding date is known the breeds or breed classes have quite a range and variation between them in gestational length. With in vitro fertilization gestation seems to be quite variable as well. Inducing any earlier than two weeks ahead and the calf is usually not viable.

It is much easier if one is simply bringing on cows a bit earlier to tighten the end of the breeding season or for other management reasons an induction is contemplated. Here it is absolutely imperative to check the cow has good quality colostrum. The thick yellow sticky colostrum in all four teats indicates the cow/heifer is close enough to induce. If the colostrum looks like mucous it is still too early and you must wait. If inducing, you know they should calve within about the 30-36-hour window, but they may have been going to calve within the next few hours naturally so watch them closely. In other words, the induction process was too late as calving was occurring naturally. Be warned the sick, toxic, thin etc cows usually do not produce much milk so udder fill is not appropriate

With all inductions observe them closely and again the ultimate goal is to save cow and calf. One must keep in mind the calf in utero is sort of mimicking what is going on with the cow. If she is short of breath because of pneumonia the calf’s blood is not oxygenated normally, if she is toxic from bad mastitis or peritonitis the calf will be suppressed. There is a big risk and reward with inducing. I have seen on some occasions where both cow and calf are lost but I have also seen live twins delivered from a downer cow and she subsequently got up so all three were saved. One never knows until you try.

If the cow is lost make sure and do a BSE test as the autopsy may give more of a clue as to the diagnosis. Usually these

are individual animal problems but sometimes as in the cases of hardware disease (heart failure), or thin from lack of nutrition herd issues may be detected. With inducing cows for management reasons, they should always be very close to their due date and have good quality colostrum. They should also not retain their placentas if

done properly as we are only talking about bringing them on a few days early. Here’s hoping calving goes well and we don’t run into many cows we need to induce. If there is the need make sure and have your herd veterinarian help determine the most appropriate time unless you have lots of experience previously.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CANADIANS WHO IMPORT ANGUS ANIMALS AND GENETICS FROM THE USA:

The American Angus Association has changed their regulations to recognize electronic identification as permanent identification instead of tattoos. At present there is no plan to change the Canadian Angus Association regulations. Members who import animals from the American Angus Association will need to be aware that they may need to tattoo their animals upon import prior to registration to comply with the Canadian Angus Association requirement of tattooing as the only acceptable form of permanent identification.

To date, the Red Angus Association of America has registered 12 gene edited animals. The Cana dian Food Inspection Agency does not permit gene editing of animals and members need to be aware that gene edited animals are not eligible for registration in Canada

The Canadian Angus Association arranged for three additional genetic evaluation runs through the 2021–2022 bull sale season, and member feedback was extremely positive. Members and sale managers appreciated the faster two-week turnaround for updated GEPDs from genomic and performance information. To help members get their yearling weights, ultrasound scan information, and Angus GS genomic information incorporated into their GEPDs in time for sale catalogues, we have arranged for three additional genetic evaluation runs through the 2022–2023 bull sale season. Below is the genetic evaluation schedule and deadlines for data to be included in the evaluations. Please contact the office if you have any questions.

Tuesday, November 15, 2022 Friday, December 2, 2022

Monday, December 5, 2022 Friday, December 16, 2022 Thursday, December 15, 2022 Friday, January 6, 2023

Monday January 9, 2022 Friday, January 20, 2023

Sunday, January 15, 2023 Friday, February 3, 2023 Monday February 6, 2023 Friday, February 17, 2023 Monday, February 20, 2023 Friday, March 3, 2023

Semen Testing

Shorty is kinda shy. He’s a real good hand, just kinda shy. He’d get all red if a heifer spent too long lookin’ at him. So….when he started seeing Cathy, we were all pretty surprised. Be damned if they didn’t go off and get married a couple of summers later.

Things went pretty good for Shorty, after they got married. He fleshed out quite a bit and most days you couldn’t have taken smile off his face with a stick. All that changed last spring.

It seems Cathy figured it was time to start a family. Shorty tried to sell her on a puppy, but Cathy wasn’t buying. So….Shorty gave up and the two of them set to making babies.

Shorty figured they had practised quite a bit, so the rest should be pretty easy. But they tried and tried and Shorty just couldn’t get the job done. Cathy decided that she should get things checked out and so off she went to see Doc Hardy.

Shorty came home that night and found Cathy waiting for him. She told him all about the tests and what Doc Hardy had to say and it wasn’t until she sat down that Shorty figured it out. She had already made the appointment.

Now Shorty was never much on goin’ to see Doc Hardy, especially not about something like this. If he wasn’t bleedin’ or it wasn’t broke, he just couldn’t see any reason to go in. He was pretty sure it wasn’t broke and he knew he wasn’t bleeding…

Shorty was pretty nervous when the nurse stuck him in a little room. Doc Hardy came in, talked a bit, then turned to a desk and handed Shorty a little bottle. She told Shorty that she needed a sample.

Now… Shorty checked bulls every spring. He started lookin’ right away for the electric bullet. Doc Hardy smiled at him and told Shorty he could fill the bottle at home if he wanted. Shorty wanted.

The next morning Shorty and Cathy figured things out and filled the bottle. Shorty popped the bottle into a brown bag and asked Cathy if she would drop the bottle off at Doc Hardy’s. Cathy declined.

Shorty headed for town, the brown bag on the seat beside him. He pulled up to the clinic and headed in with the brown bag. The nurse told him that Doc Hardy was out and wouldn’t be back ‘til noon, but offered to take the bag. Shorty declined.

Shorty climbed into the truck and tried to figure things out. He knew that noon was too late and he sure wasn’t real big on filling another bottle. Then it came to him….Doc Kramer.

Doc Kramer was a crusty old bugger, but that didn’t matter much at this point. Vets don’t have to have a great bedside manner. Shorty had seen Doc Kramer semen test, he was pretty good.

A few minutes later, Shorty was in Kramer’s Clinic. He found Doc Kramer in the back and walked up to him, bag in hand. “Heh Shorty, what can I do for ya?

“Heh Doc. I gotta bull I need checked.”

“Where?”

“Here” Shorty pulled the bottle from the bag.

“Okay….when was he collected?”

“’Bout an hour ago.”

“Early start huh?”

“Yup”

Doc set up a slide and put it under the scope. He stared into the scope for a long time, fiddled with the slide a bit and stared at it some more. Shorty was starting to get pretty nervous. Doc Kramer looked up, and turned to Shorty.

“This son of a bitch is no damned good..”

“Huh?’ stammered Shorty.

“He’s a cull. He’s shooting blanks…no damned good.”

“Okay…I got the picture. Are you sure you gotta good slide?”

“Yup. His nuts must be too small”

Shorty swallowed … hard.

“Can I have a look?”

“Sure”

Shorty looked into the scope. There was a whole bunch of little circles, some with tails, most without, and only a few were even moving.

“You ain’t gonna get any calves from that useless bastard, Shorty. You might as well ship him. Get yourself a good, young bull for Chrissakes or you’ll never get anything bred.”

“Yeah….sure. Thanks Doc.”

“No problem Shorty.”

Shorty turned and started for the door. He stopped and turned to Doc Kramer…

“Heh Doc!”

“Yeah?”

“Know where I can get a good puppy?”

Grant Rolston was born and raised in ranching country near Penticton, British Columbia. After graduating school, he worked on a purebred Hereford ranch, then assumed a position at Western Breeders Artificial Insemination Unit. In 1980, he left the livestock scene and joined the Edmonton Police Department, where he received his formal training in photography, working for the IDENT unit (crime scene investigation). After a decade, he returned to the industry, purchasing a herd of purebred Angus cattle but both Grant and his wife, Lauralee, worked off the ranch to make a living. He chose livestock photography and is now Canada’s premier livestock photographer of beef cattle. Grant and Lauralee travel throughout nine provinces in Canada for on farm photography, in aulcan, Alberta. With four decades of experience, Grant shares things that are “Not Taken for Granted.”

Where’s The Beef??? The 1975 Federal Commission

ANY MARKETING SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT PROTECT ITS PRIMARY SUPPLY SOURCES IS A MARKETING SYSTEM THAT EVENTUALLY WILL BE DESTROYED,” DISSENTING OPINION IN THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE MARKETING OF BEEF AND VEAL

By Robert Thomas

Part Four Of A Series

The call to examine cattle and beef pricing in Canada has been made more than once in the past. Out of those calls came a major report in 1976 while the beef and cattle industry was in a price and marketing crisis on the cusp of change in the industry.

Released on April 13, 1976 the Report Of The Commission Of Inquiry Into The Marketing Of Beef And Veal was an extensive report looked at the marketing of beef from the producer right up to the dinner plate.

The Commission held Canada-wide public hearings over three months in 1975 gathering input from all three playersranchers/farmers, processors and retailers - on the industry and how producers were often better off financially just disposing of their livestock.

The Commission had been triggered by farmers who went in front of the television cameras.

With dairy producers destroying calves in front of the television cameras - due to low prices - causing outrage and massive public pressure from consumers against the beef processing industry.

“The public felt that the prices paid for beef and veal were high in relation to low producer returns and did not properly reflect price variations at the producer level,” the Commission stated as to their reason for holding the Public Inquiry.

What the Commission found, through both public hearings as well as studies, was that “serious price inequities exist at both the producer and consumer levels ”

Chaired by Maxwell W Mackenzie with Hu Harries and Lydia Patrie-Cullen the Commission made three recommendations:

we reject the principle of regulated domestic production for beef and veal but emphasize the need for substantial changes in the marketing system to protect the position of the livestock producer against inequities; .

retailers should be required to label the grade of beef on the packaged beef cuts sold at their retail counter and clearly state that grade of beef in any form of advertising they use; the central processing of beef cuts should take place at the

point of slaughter, and early action should be taken by government to reverse the current trend to growth in central processing by retailers.

The Inquiry made several other recommendations to improve the beef marketing system and amongst them was to allow direct selling from producers to the processing facility and eliminate many of livestock auction markets.

The Commission’s report stated that the move to centralized processing at the slaughter facilities would add to the wholesomeness of the product but also added the caveat about what it could lead to due to producers selling directly to packers and not through the auction mart system.

“…the degree of market power and concentration in the beef industry by those controlling the processing, and whether an acceleration of the development would lead to a more invisible price setting mechanism for beef than the more open method used in the past,” the report warned could develop.

The report highlighted the price discrepancy of what producers received based upon their actual costs.

“In few other industries in Canada can the price of a product fluctuate drastically from day to day or region to region, significantly cutting into revenue with no change in costs,” the Commissioners wrote.

The report mentions how there were in 1974 a total of 57 packing plants responsible for 88 percent of the federal plant kill. In 2020 three (3) plants were responsible for 85 percent of the beef processed in Canada.

“In 1974 beef producers and feedlot operators chose to sell their slaughter animals direct to Packers (55% of their sales) either on a liveweight or a railgrade basis’, through terminal markets (30%) or through country auctions ( 15%). Producers of calves and feeder cattle normally use the auction system to market their animals.”

The Commission also found direct ties between the Canadian price for cattle and beef highly reliant on prices paid in the United States.

“Because of the size of Canada’s market, its openness to world markets, and its proximity to the U.S.A., the major constraint on our live cattle and carcass price setting mechanisms is U.S.A. prices plus transport and any tariff that is applied.”

The Commission found the little discussed byproduct market played a major role in what producers were offered.

“A rule of thumb in the packing industry is that the value of the by-products will cover the processing costs of the carcass so that the live value and the carcass value should be (on a carcass equivalent basis) approximately equal and follow one another. When by-product values exceed processing costs, credits can be allocated to increase buying prices for live cattle or lower carcass selling prices. The reverse is also true,”

The public input tour took the Commission across Canada. During these submissions the Commission heard Canada’s cattle market was actually a North American market.

“The industry in Canada is operating in a North American and not a Canadian market . . .There is a duty.. .There are transportation factors .. .but with the exception of those factors we are essentially operating on a North American market ...” Canada Packers said in their submission.

Canada Packers pointed out how stabilization of beef producers’ incomes would impact the North American market.

“Stablization is bound to seriously disrupt any trade outside of Canada in beef . .If you start to stabilize income in the beef industry, you are going to have to devise a system for regulating output because at the moment it is price that regulates output ...”

There were calls from processors to move away from the system of the day where retailers bought sides of beef and then did their own meat cutting.

The now defunct Saskatoon-based Intercontinental Packers was a leader in calls for packers to move from supplying sides but providing the final cut retail product. By reducing costs the savings could be passed on to consumers, they told the Commission.

“Boxed beef holds a great deal of promise as a way of reducing costs between packer and consumer. . .We strongly urge this Commission to recommend acceleration of a change to this more modern and efficient method of beef marketing,” Intercontinental Packers said in their submission.

Canada Safeway who operated a beef cutting plant under its Lucerne brand echoed Intercontinental Packers call to consolidate meat cutting from the grocer to large plants as being more economical.

“There is increased efficiency resulting from centralized prefabrication…Centralized cutting is a clear economy over the system where the whole side moves out and into the store where it is cut up, it is more economical,” Canada Safeway said in their submission.

The National Farmer’s Union (NFU) asked the Commission to look at a system based upon a quota system similar to eggs and milk to help ensure producers were paid a guaranteed higher price.

Despite the NFUs calls for a quota system the argument for a free enterprise system with processing conducted at the slaughter facility won out.

Government intervention in the industry was outright rejected by the Brooks, Alberta based Lakeside Packers (now part of JBS Foods through acquisitions) claiming the government was the problem.

“The number one problem in the beef industry as a whole is government involvement.. .We must work in a North American or world beef market.. .We have the potential to produce more than our own requirements and at competitive prices. . .Government should not be involved in our industry in any way that will distort the signals from the market place . ..” Lakeside Packers said in their submission.

In the end the Commission agreed with consolidation of cutting beef to the slaughter facility away from retailers as a cost reduction strategy.

“The Commission is convinced savings could be realized at the retail level if beef were fully processed before it reaches individual retail food stores. The investment in equipment required to break and trim carcasses at each retail outlet is considerably higher, generally speaking, than that at a central location where the utilization rate of labour and equipment can be much better,” the Commission wrote in their final report.

Retailers continuing to cut meat was seen as detriment to the entire cattle to beef system.

“In the Commission’s view, if the processing continues to be done at the retail level, it will inhibit important gains that can be made in the marketing system for the future.”

much more comprehensive market could be developed to the particular benefit of the small producer and the independent packer,” the Commission wrote.

Dissent in the report

Despite the Commission recommending consolidation and a centralization in the industry there was one dissenting Commissioner.

“Any marketing system that does not protect its primary supply sources is a marketing system that eventually will be destroyed . Many have suffered grievously because the price that is paid for their produce, while gyrating wildly, has consistently been lower than the cost of production . I see no reason to load on the shoulders of a few who are least able to bear it the cost of a food policy which provides the Canadian consumer with the best beef that is available anywhere in the world. The Canadian consumer doesn’t want the small unprotected man to be ground into the dirt in the interests of some phoney economic and political philosophy which is a little to the right of Adam Smith,” the dissenting opinion read.

Why packers comply with retailers

The Commission saw the manner which retailers purchased beef from processors in 1975 - carcas - as a major drawback to the Canadian beef processing system.

“But the major reason why most beef is shipped in carcass form by packers is that retailers are reluctant to relinquish any element of control over the quality of the product they sell. They want to continue their preferences for certain classifications and sex of carcasses, which appear to the Commission to be based on prejudice rather than valid evidence. The packers comply with this because they are able to pass the burden of any discrimination by retailers back to the producer”

The stage was set in the future where retail meat markets would disappear and large retailers would no longer cut up their own beef.

The butcher shop moved to the slaughterhouse.

Rail grade buying versus average

A major recommendation made by the Commission was that cattle should be bought Rail Grade and not an Average Estimate system.

Rail Grade means sellers (usually feedlots today) are paid by how the animal breaks down after slaughter. An Average Estimate is where processors buy cattle based on their weight with a formula taking into account an averaging of imperfections in animals they buy.

“The Commission is satisfied that the purchase by packers of live animals on a railgrade basis will provide more equity to the individual producer by eliminating the estimation of the carcass outturn of the live animal . If all purchases of slaughter animals by packers were on a railgrade basis, a

Despite the dissent the stage was set for consolidation and the mergers leading to less than a handful of a few large processors dominating the industry.

PREMIUM BEEF REMAINS IN FASHION

MARKET UPDATE

Federally inspected (FI) slaughter last week totaled 651,000 head. That’s 18,000 fewer than the week prior. The lighter volume was a departure in what has been a fairly robust summer season of weekly head count totals, but this week’s projection is 660,000. Large beef cow slaughter numbers continue to skew head counts in the FI weekly sum.

Recent packer profit margin estimates are in the $200 to $250/head range. Fed cattle prices turned around last week with a $1/cwt. average increase across the normal six states. Iowa continues to lead the cash market with a high of $147/cwt. in their market. Nebraska feedlots saw $140 to $145/cwt. while still posting disappointing quality grade results compared to the past two years.

While minimal, we have observed a positive trend since spring. The early May CAB cutout value of $272/cwt. compares to the latest $282/cwt. last week. That’s a 4% increase in a period that has a five-year average price drop of 15%.

Competition for more richly-marbled middle meats has been a driver during the summer market and we anticipate that to continue as long as the grade underperforms through the fourth quarter.

PREMIUM BEEF REMAINS IN FASHION

Since the start of 2022, the national Choice grade percentage posted record-large numbers through the first week of June. Easily the highest volume quality grade category, Choice increased specifically due to slippage in the proportion of Prime carcasses.

This year’s Prime grade percentage was not expected to surpass the summer 2020 highs of 10%, but the recent drop below 8% is disappointing to end users trying to fill orders at a reasonable price.

At the other end of the spectrum, Texas spot market pricing was from $135 to $136/cwt. and Kansas was $136 to $138/cwt.

The carcass sales side of the market saw a fairly stable environment last week, with USDA and Urner Barry reporting prices either side of unchanged. The sideways trending price structure for carcass cutout values is as stable and unmoving as we’ve seen in quite some time.

Recent data shows the Choice carcass category declined from 74% in the first week of July to 72.4% by the month’s end. However, it’s not due to more carcasses receiving the Prime stamp. Quite the opposite –quality grades are dropping resulting in more Select grade carcasses. The Premium Choice or “upper 2/3’s Choice” category, primarily occupied by the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, has similarly suffered a volume decline since early May, putting year-to-date carcass production down more than 3%.

Through much of the spring season, the lower quality Select carcass share held steady with the 2021 pattern with a near record-low volume in the 12 to 15% range. However, as the summer fed cattle supply has been

ultra-current, particularly in the north, sub-optimal ribeye marbling measurements allowed the Select category to drift higher than 16%. This is larger than summer values in the past two years.

This supply data goes against what beef customers increasingly desire and are willing to pay for premium middle meats. To offset this drop, end users have started to suspend higher-quality beef with deep chill storage process known as “suspended fresh”. This ability to hold beef for months near its freezing point, but still in a fresh state, has elevated buying and storage of premium middle meats before prices soar from fourth quarter demand. What we don’t know is the magnitude of volume that this is happening. This activity has elevated middle meat prices, particularly ribeyes, midway through the third quarter in recent years.

HEIFER CARCASS WEIGHT FACTOR

It seems we’ve discussed carcass weights too often in the past 36 months but it tends to be one of the most telling data points in the beef business. The latest data pegs the weighted average steer and heifer carcass weight at 862 lb., 4 lb. lighter than the same week a year ago. The lighter trend isn’t surprising for two reasons. First, backlog-induced record high carcass weights were noted in 2020 with the mid-July 873 lb. average crushing the 2019 weight for the same period by 33 lb. July 2021 summer weights were a bit lighter, but chalked up the second heaviest on record, retreating only 6 lb. from the prior year’s record.

Early 2022 weights amazingly topped the two previous years from February through early May before healthy packer processing speeds restored currentness to the feeding sector. This summer flipped the script as northern feedlots pulled cattle ahead and optimally finished pens became hard to find.

This modern buying strategy and diminishing seasonal access to Prime beef (including the Certified Angus Beef ® brand) has rapidly elevated the Prime to Choice cutout value spread. The Prime cutout premium to Choice last week at $58.77/cwt. is the same as a year ago. This has generated the top end of the Prime grid premium packer payment of $45/cwt. and a market average of $22/cwt. With the low end of the range at $0/ cwt. for Prime, it’s important that readers understand that grid marketing formats vary widely, as well as the premiums/discounts relationship to the base price.

Since late April, heifers have factored more prominently in the fed cattle mix than either of the two preceding years. The year-to-date 39% average of total fed cattle compares to 37% in 2020 and 37.5% in 2021. As the beef cow herd contracts, more heifer calves find their way to the packing plant.

Since heifers are accounting for a larger share of the fed cattle slaughter and their average carcass weights are 70 lb. lighter than their steer cohorts, this summer’s lighter average carcass weights are partially due to the heifer influence.

Champion Heifer Calf RED PATCHELL JERSHIKA exhibited by Patchell Livestock - Hanover, ON Reserve Champion Heifer Calf IRCC BELLE 211K exhibited by Indian River Cattle CO. - Indian River, ON Champion Junior Female HCCC PRINCESS 8J exhibited by Hasson Cattle CO. - East Garafraxa, ON Reserve Champion Junior Female IRVINESIDE JAMBOREE 1J exhibited by Indian River Cattle CO. - Indian River, ON Champion Senior Female HCCC LEXI 3H with calf HCCC PEARL 8K exhibited by Hasson Cattle CO. - East Garafraxa, ON Reserve Champion Senior Female PFLC BLACKBIRD 103H with calf DSJL BLACK BIRD 137 102K exhibited by JDL Cattle CO. & 719 Cattle - Mulmur, ON

Champion Bull Calf CEDARVIEW KEROSENE 8K exhibited by Tyler Fulton and Kaitlin Cavanagh - Pakenham, ON Reserve Champion Bull Calf JEM GRAND ISLAND 14K exhibited by Tullamore

Angus - Caledon, ON Champion Junior Bull BUCHANEN’S BRUNO C656 exhibited by Indian River Cattle CO. - Indian River, ON owned with RMCC

Reserve Champion Junior Bull RED PATCHELL MAUI exhibited by Patchell Livestock - Hanover, ON Champion Senior Bull BAR-E-L ROYAL RESERVE 120H

Grand Champion Bull BUCHANEN’S BRUNO C656 exhibited by Indian River Cattle CO. - Indian River, ON owned with RMCC

Reserve Grand Champion Bull CEDARVIEW KEROSENE 8K exhibited by Tyler Fulton and Kaitlin Cavanagh - Pakenham, ON

Supreme Champion Angus BUCHANEN’S BRUNO C656 exhibited by Indian River Cattle CO. - Indian River, ON owned with RMCC

Brampton Preview Show

September 18, 2022

Judge: Shane Williams & Joanne Handley

Grand Champion Female HCCC LEXI 3H with calf HCCC PEARL 8K exhibited by Hasson Cattle CO. - East Garafraxa, ON Reserve Grand Champion Female HCCC PRINCESS 8J exhibited by Hasson Cattle CO. - East Garafraxa, ON Premier Breeder & Premier Exhibitor - Hasson Cattle CO. East Garafraxa, ON Breeders Herd - Tyler Fulton and Kaitlin Cavanagh - Pakenham, ON Get of Sire - Brantnor Angus, Woodville, ON Progeny of Dam - Hasson Cattle CO. - East Garafraxa, ON

Grand Champion Female Reserve Grand Champion Female Grand Champion Bull Reserve Grand Champion Bull

Todays Angus Advantag e

Certified Angus Beef Takes Fine Dining to New Heights to Connect with Consumers

By Nicole Erceg,

With market swings and unpredictable weather, ranching can sometimes feel like an adventure. But rock climbing to a 100-feet high ledge for a fine dining meal with a celebrity? Only Colorado Angus rancher Ty Walter can say he’s done that.

Raising the “steaks,” as part of the Certified Angus Beef Takes You There campaign, Walter participated in the brand inventing the “sport” of extreme dining. Focused on sharing the transformative power of food and idea that different culinary experiences can take consumers on a journey to different destinations, the campaign elevated the best Angus beef to new heights.

In a cliff-side setting, Walter joined actor, comedian and host Joel McHale to talk cattle production and what makes Certified Angus Beef ® brand products consistently superior – all while enjoying a four-course meal at an elevation of 8,500 feet.

“The thing I was most nervous about was dropping my fork,” Walter says. “I’ve never done anything like this before, but that was the best beef I’ve ever had.”

After a 2-mile hike, the pair rock climbed to a 100-feet high ledge. There, Walter and McHale enjoyed a four-course meal, featuring the Certified Angus Beef ® brand and Certified Angus Beef ® Prime products, all cooked by Certified Angus Beef Executive Chef Ashley Breneman from a kitchen in the sky.

“Every meal doesn’t have to be this extreme, but we wanted to showcase

pushing the limits on culinary experiences, the brand raised the bar on showcasing its products and the people who raise them to consumers.

“This experience provided a taste of the excitement and adventure that comes with cooking with the Certified Angus Beef ® brand,” says Nicole Erceg, Certified Angus Beef Director of Communications. “We want consumers to find inspiration from this experience, to dare to push the limits on flavors, feel good about the people their beef comes from and explore where Certified Angus Beef can take them.”

Designed to garner mainstream media attention and connect with a younger generation of consumers, the project puts the Certified Angus Beef ® brand and the ranchers who raise it in unexpected media platforms like entertainment news, pop culture publications and food culture information sources.

Certified Angus Beef ® products in a way that would inspire chefs and consumers to create their own flavor adventure,” Chef Breneman says. “Choosing the Certified Angus Beef ® brand ensures an elevated experience, every time.”

Through Certified Angus Beef’s commitment to delivering the highest quality beef, comes the responsibility to exceed expectations. By

McHale was tapped to introduce the Certified Angus Beef ® brand to new audiences, and share how Certified Angus Beef can elevate not just your meal, but life experiences. And it’s safe to say, he’s a big fan.

“It was just SO good. So good. Can I have more please? By the way, Chef Ashley is a genius,” McHale says. “Every single detail that Certified Angus Beef put forward was unreal. And I can truly say if it’s not Certified, it’s not the best. This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done.”

Angus rancher Ty Walter joins Actor, Comedian & Host Joel McHale in a fine dining experience at an elevation of 8,500 feet.

(left to right) Joel McHale and Ty Walter

for immediate release

CAB Chef Ashley Breneman cooked a four-course meal at 8,500-ft. elevation for ce lebrity Joel McHale and Angus rancher Ty Walter to show how the Certified Angus Brand ® brand can inspire chefs and consumers to create their own flavor adventure.

Ty Walter repelling down to the 100-ft. ledge dining table.

4 K Angus ....................................................... 24 .............................................................................

Aberlynn Farms ............................................. 44

Alameda Agencies Ltd. ................................. 54

Alta Genetics .................................................. 54

Anderson Cattle Co. ...................................... 42 Arda Farms ..................................................... 44

AS Galten Purebred Black Angus ................. 32 Atlasta Angus ................................................. 44 .............................................................................

Bar DK ............................................................ 24 Bar-E-L ........................................................ IFC

Benchmark Angus ......................................... 19 Bircham Ranch Ltd. ...................................... 23 BJ Cattle Co.................................................... 20

Black Ridge Angus Farm ............................... 24 Blairs.Ag Cattle Company ....................... OBC

Blairswest Land & Cattle Ltd.......................... 6

BMB Brewin Angus ....................................... 44 Bohrson Marketing Services .......................... 9

Border Butte Angus ....................................... 44 Bova-Tech Ltd. ............................................... 54

Bow Valley Genetics ...................................... 54

Broken T Ranch ............................................ 24

Brooklyn Cattle Co. ....................................... 44 Burgess Ranch ............................................... 23 .............................................................................

Cadillac Stock Farms ..................................... 32

Canadian Angus Foundation ........................ 29

Canadian Farm Insurance Corp. .................. 54

Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society .... 54 Carlyle RV & Leisure Ltd. ............................. 40

CD Land & Cattle .......................................... 44

Chapman Cattle Company ........................... 44 Circle 7 Angus................................................ 24 Gircle G Angus ........................................ 16, 17 Clegg Angus ................................................... 44 Clevelands Farm ............................................ 24

CMT Farms .................................................... 24

Country Lane Angus ..................................... 44 Crecent Creek Angus .................................... 24 .............................................................................

D & N Livestock ............................................ 10

Davis-Rairdan Embryo Transplants Ltd. .... 54

DeCorby, Marcel ........................................... 55

Deer River Ranching ..................................... 44 Delorme Livestock ........................................ 24

Diamond K Cattle Co. ................................... 23

Diamond L Ranch ......................................... 44

Diamond T Ranch ......................................... 44

DKF Angus..................................................... 24

Dorran, Steve ................................................. 55

Double Bar D Farms ...................................... 24

Double C Red Angus ..................................... 24

Double F Cattle Co. ....................................... 25

Dragonview Angus ........................................ 51 DWAJ Registered Angus ............................... 45 .............................................................................

Early Sunset Ranch ......................................... 1

Eastondale Angus .......................................... 25

EKW Red Angus ............................................ 25

Emmatt Creek Ranch .................................... 25

Eton Six Cattle .............................................. 42

Everblack Angus ............................................ 45

Fraser Farms .................................................. 42

GBS Angus Farm ........................................... 25

Gerlei Angus .................................................. 25

Gilchrist Farms .......................................... 7, 32

Gillett Angus .................................................. 45

Glasman Farms .............................................. 42

Glen Gebel Angus.......................................... 25

Glennie Bros. Angus ..................................... 18

Graco Angus Ranch....................................... 25

Grant Rolston Photography Ltd. ................. 55

GTA Ranch Inc. ............................................. 45

Lazy S Ranch Inc. .......................................... 45

LCI Doenz Ranches ...................................... 45

Leela Farms .................................................... 32

Lewis Farms ................................................... 45

LLB Angus ..................................................... 45

Lone Stone Farms .......................................... 45

Lucky 7 Cattle Co. ......................................... 45 .............................................................................

M & J Farms ................................................... 42

Macnab Angus ............................................... 25

Manitoba Bull Test Station ........................... 42

Maple Line Farm ........................................... 32

Mar Mac Farms .............................................. 42

Hahn Cattle Co. ............................................. 45

Hamco Cattle Co. .......................................... 42

Hamilton Farms ............................................. 45

Harprey Angus Farms ................................... 32 Hartford Bros................................................. 32

Harvest Angus ............................................... 51

Hazel Bluff Angus .......................................... 45

Heinz Cattle Company .................................. 45 Hollinger Land and Cattle ...................... 15, 25 Honeybrook Farms ....................................... 25 HS Knill Co. Ltd. ........................................... 59

McGowan Farms ........................................... 45

McKenzie Herefords/Wild Bear Herefords 20

McMillen Ranching Ltd. ............................... 26

Meadown Ridge Ent. Ltd. ............................. 26

Merit Insurance Brokers ............................... 55 Minburn Angus.............................................. 45

MJT Cattle Co. Ltd. ....................................... 45

Moose Creek .............................................. 5, 26

Movin On Farms ............................................ 46

MWC Investments......................................... 46

Myjoco Angus ................................................ 32 .............................................................................

Newton Herefords ......................................... 20 Nordal Limousin & Angus ............................ 26

North 40 Red Angus...................................... 51 Northern View Angus ................................... 26 Northway Cattle Co. ...................................... 46 .............................................................................

Ockerman Angus ........................................... 46

Ole Farms ....................................................... 46

Ossaw Angus .................................................. 42 .............................................................................

Peak Dot Ranch Ltd. ..................................... 26

KC Cattle Co. ................................................. 25

Kenray Ranch

Pedersen Livestock ........................................ 46

Poley, Chris .................................................... 55

Poplar Meadows Angus ................................. 51

Premier Livestock ......................................... 11

Rafter SJ Angus

Red Rose Angus

Redekop Cattle Company

Redrick Farms................................................ 46

Rehorst Farms Ltd.

Reid Angus

Remitall Farms

Right Cross Ranch......................................... 26

Rivercrest Angust Ranch

RJ Livestock

RLS Red Angus

RNR Flicek Black Angus

Rob Roy Angus

Round Rock Ranching

Sandy Bar Ranch

Schaff Angus Valley

Sheidaghan Angus

Shiloh Cattle Company

Spring Creek Simmentals

Spruce Ridge Stock Farms

Spruce View Angus Ranch

Standard Hill Livestock

Steen Agencies Inc.

Still Meadow Farm

Sunderland S Ranch

Sunny Grove Angus

Tambri Farm

Ter-Ron Farms

Topham Ranches

Tri A Angus

Triple L Angus

1 SASKATCHEWAN ANGUS GOLD SHOW - REGINA, SK 2 CANADIAN WESTERN AGRIBITION ALLSTAR ANGUS SALEREGINA, SK 3 PEAK DOT RANCH FALL BULL SALE - WOOD MOUNTAIN, SK 3 BRITISH CONNECTIN BULL SALE - LETHBRIDGE, AB 5 DUSTY ROSE CATTLE CO. 2ND ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE -, ARCOLA, SK 7 DOUBLE BAR D “SHARING THE HERD” GENETICS SALEGRENFELL, SK 8 THE FEMALE FOCUS PRODUCTION SALE - NEUDORF, SK 9

SUNDERLAND RANCH BULL AND FEMALE SALEMAPLE CREEK, SK 9 MCMILLEN RANCHING LTD. “HERDBUILDERS 22” SALECARIEVALE, SK 9-10 YOUNGDALE ONLINE GENETICS SALE - DLMS FARMGATE 11 GLENNIE BROS. BULL & BRED FEMALE SALE - CARNDUFF, SK 12 SISTER SALE - NEEPAWA, MB 12 ROCK SOLID BRED HEIFER SALE - PIAPOT, SK 13 D&N LIVESTOCK COMMERCIAL ANGUS BRED HEIFER SALEPEEBLES, SK 19

BLAIRS.AG CATTLE CO. & GUESTS OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS SALE - LANIGAN, SK 20 SPRING CREEK SIMMENTALS & RED ROSE ANGUS COMPLETE DISPERSAL - MOOSOMIN, SK 21-22 R PLUS SIMMENTALS COMPLETE DISPERSAL - ESTEVAN, SK 30 PREMIER & GUESTS FALLS VIEW PRODUCTION SALELISTOWEL, ON

January

9 MOOSE CREEK CATTLE COMPLETE CHAROLAIS DISPERSALKISBEY, SK 28 MC QUANTOCK “CANADA’S BULLS” BULL SALELLOYDMINSTER, SK

February

7 BLAIRS.AG CATTLE CO PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE BULL SALESEDLEY, SK 9 BENCH ANGUS LONG YEARLING BULL & PUREBRED BRED HEIFER PRODUCTION SALE - SHAUNAVON, SK 15 STEPPLER FARMS ANNUAL BULL SALE - MIAMI, MB 18 MOOSE CREEK RED ANGUS ANNUAL 2-YEAR OLD BULL SALEKISBEY, SK 18

FEBRUARY FREEZE ALL BREEDS FROZEN GENETICSONLINE SALE

M&J / GLASMAN FARMS SIMMENTAL & ANGUS TWO YEAR OLD BULL & FEMALE SALE - RUSSELL, MB

DOUBLE BAR D “BEST OF BOTH WORLDS” SIMMENTAL & SIMANGUS BULL SALE - GRENFELL, SK

March

1 D&N LIVESTOCK ANGUS BULL SALE - PEEBLES, SK

JP CATTLE CO. ANNUAL SIMMENTAL & ANGUS BULL SALEMCAULEY, MB 3 SOUTHLAND CHAROLAIS & ANGUS BULL SALESWIFT CURRENT, SK 4

WARD’S RED ANGUS 13TH ANNUAL BULL SALE - SASKATOON, SK 8 MAR MAC FARMS AND GUESTS BULL SALE - BRANDON, MB 9 BAR-H LAND & CATTLE ANNUAL ANGUS BULL & FEMALE SALE, LANGENBURG, SK 9 BAR-E-L ANGUS BULL & SELECT FEMALE SALE - STETTLER, AB 10 MERIDIAN AG BULL SALE - ACADIA VALLEY, AB 11

LLB ANGUS 34TH ANNUAL BULL & FEMALE SALE - ERSKINE, AB 12

SPRING THAW ONLINE FROZEN ANGUS GENETICS - DLMS

FARMGATE

SOUTH SASK SIMMENTAL & ANGUS SALE - MOOSE JAW, SK 13

13

BLAIRSWEST BULL SALE - DLMS.CA 15 TOOLS OF THE TRADE ANGUS BULL SALE - DUNDURN, SK 16

STRONGBOW FARMS LTD. ANNUAL BULL SALE - HARTNEY, MB 17

DURALTA FARMS ANGUS BULL & FEMALE SALE - VEGREVILLE, AB 20

HIGHWAY 21 GROUP CHROLAIS & SIMM/ANGUS BULL SALE, HANNA, AB

HOLLINGER LAND & CATTLE CO. 8TH ANNUAL ANGUS BULL & FEMALE SALE - NEUDORF, SK 22 CMT FARMS BLACK ANGUS BULL SALE - COCHIN, SK 23

21

WHEATLAND CATTLE CO. ANNUAL BULL SALE - BIENFAIT, SK 26

BEST OF THE BREEDS BULL SALE - YORKTON, SK 27

EVERBLACK ANGUS BULL SALE - VERMILION, AB 28

ANDERSON CATTLE CO. RED & BLACK ANGUS BULL SALE, SWAN RIVER, MB 30 HBH ANGUS FARMS CATTLEMAN’S CONNECTION BULL SALE, BRANDON, MB

April

1 SIX MILE RANCH 45TH ANNUAL BULL SALE - FIR MOUNTAIN, SK

MOMENTUM SPECKLE PARK & ANGUS BULL & FEMALE SALEST. DENIS, SK

SPIRIT OF THE NORTH BULL SALE - SPIRITWOOD, SK

BUY THE BEEF BULL SALE - NEEPAWA, MB

PEAK DOT RANCH LTD. SPRING BULL SALE - WOOD MOUNTAIN, SK

SOUTHVIEW RANCH - CEYLON, SK

RIGHT CROSS RANCH RED & BLACK ANGUS BULL SALEKISBEY, SK

TRIPLE A ANGUS BULL SALE - MOOSE JAW, SK

MID-WESTERN ONTARIO ANGUS BULL & FEMALE SALELUCKNOW, ON

MOOSE CREEK YEARLING BULL SALE - KISBEY, SK

YOUNGDALE ANGUS BULL AND FEMALE SALE - ALAMEDA, SK

THE PRIME PLUS BULL SALE - NEEPAWA, MB

N7 STOCK FARMS BULL SALE - CRANDALL, MB

45TH ANNUAL SHORT GRASS BULL & FEMALE SALEANEROID, SK

Published by:

Today’s Angus Advantage Box 2330

Warman, Saskatchewan S0K 4S0

Phone: (306) 933-4200 info@todaysangus.com www.todaysangus.com

OUR STAFF

Bryan Kostiuk - Editor

Chris Poley - Marketing

Treena Ballantyne - Controller

Ashley Hunchak - Accounting

Debbie Rhode - Circulation

Kristi Knutson - Circulation

Jolene Anderson-Wall - Circulation

Katie Serhienko - Design

Jessica Engele - Design

Emma Lees - Design

Emmaline Usselman - Design

Published 5 times/year- Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Fall

Careful consideration has been placed on production of this magazine and we are responsible for the value of the advertisement; however, we assume no responsibility for errors or omissions.

Publications Mail Agreement: 40021107

Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:

Today’s Angus Advantage Circulation Dept. Box 2330 Warman, Saskatchewan S0K 4S0