Number of cattle, by class and farm type, Canada and provinces (head x 1,000). Data are available on an annual basis.
As of 2024, there were approximately ******* dairy cows in Canada, a little over double the number of dairy heifers. There were far more beef cows in Canada, however, reaching over *** million as of January 1 that year.
Cattle and calves statistics, number of farms reporting and average number of cattle and calves per farm, Canada and provinces (number). Data are available on a semi-annual basis.
This statistic shows the beef cow inventory in Canada as of January 2024, by type. In that year, there were approximately **** million beef cows in Alberta and around **** million beef cows in Saskatchewan.
Cattle and calves, farm and meat production, Canada (head unless otherwise noted). Data are available on an annual basis.
Census of Agriculture, 2021. Number of cows, bulls, heifers, steers and calves.
This statistic shows the dairy cow inventory in Canada as of January 2024, by type. As of January 1, 2024, there were approximately ******* dairy cows in Québec and around ******* dairy cows in Ontario.
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High prices have consistently elevated revenues for Canadian cattle producers over the current period, but also discouraged herd rebuilding and drained cattle supplies. Cattle prices have surged due to reduced herds in North America, influenced by persistent droughts impeding effective herd rebuilding. Although producers are generally inclined to rebuild, the volatility of high prices, along with the unpredictability of future drought impacts, has discouraged extensive retention practices. Profit has also been pressured by elevated input costs, particularly feed, but extreme cattle prices have allowed profit to recover and expand since its low in 2022. Compounding these challenges is the difficulty in passing increased costs onto consumers, who have shown a growing propensity to switch to alternative proteins. This, combined with the inherent volatility in agricultural outputs due to extreme weather events, continues to strain the financial health of producers despite elevated cattle prices. Overall, revenue has climbed at a CAGR of 4.4% since 2020, including an increase of 2.0% to reach an estimated $25.6 billion in 2025 as beef prices remain on the rise. Consumer behaviour around beef is being reshaped by health perceptions and sustainability concerns, as well as high beef prices. Persistent health advisories recommending reduced red meat consumption influence both domestic and global market demands, pushing consumers towards substitute proteins. Awareness around sustainability is intensifying interest in plant-based alternatives as environmentally friendly consumption gains traction. While inflation has moderated overall, beef prices continue to rise in response to supply-related constraints, making the protein more costly and steering some consumers toward more affordable options like pork and poultry. Industry associations and producers are focusing on marketing beef’s value, quality and affordability to retain consumer interest amid these shifts. The future outlook for the cattle industry will be strongly influenced by red meat prices, which will see initial short-term price increases and then are expected to ease over time, ultimately resulting in higher price levels in 2030 compared to 2025. These trends are driven by supply constraints and shifting global demands, while herd rebuilding efforts will gradually moderate the huge price increases of the current period. Concurrently, sustained pressures from consumer sustainability concerns are likely to continue spurring interest in alternative proteins, propelling producers toward adopting emission-reducing production methods. Nonetheless, rising disposable incomes, especially in emerging beef export markets, present opportunities for Canadian producers by increasing demand for premium beef products. Expanding into new markets will be particularly important for beef producers and the cattle farmers supplying them as US-Canada trade tensions and tariffs shake the stability of this major buyer. Additionally, anticipated global population growth will support heightened protein demand overall. Revenue is expected to climb at a CAGR of 0.1% to reach $25.8 billion over the five years to 2030.
This statistic displays the number of cattle on beef farms in Canada from 2014 to 2024 in millions, as of January first of each year. As of January 1, 2024 there were approximately **** million cattle on Canadian beef farms, a slight decrease from around **** million the previous year.
Cattle statistics, supply and disposition of cattle, Canada and provinces (head x 1,000). Data are available on an annual basis.
Census of Agriculture, 1921 to date. Selected livestock and poultry.
Quebec had the largest amount of cattle ranches and farms of any Canadian province, as of December 2024. At that time, there were ***** cattle ranching and farming businesses in this region. Ontario was also a major producer of cattle in Canada at that time, with ***** cattle ranches and farms.
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Statistics Canada conducts the Census of Agriculture every five years at the same time as the Census of Population. The most recent Census of Agriculture was on May 11, 2021. The Census of Agriculture collects and disseminates a wide range of data on the agriculture industry, including the number and type of farms, farm operator characteristics, business operating arrangements, land management practices, crop areas, the number of livestock and poultry, farm capital, total operating expenses and receipts, and farm machinery and equipment. Census data provide a comprehensive picture of the agriculture industry across Canada every five years at the national, provincial and territorial levels, as well as at lower levels of geography. The Census of Agriculture is the cornerstone of Canada's Agriculture Statistics Program. Census of Agriculture data are an indispensable public and private sector tool for analysing important changes in the agriculture and food industries; developing, implementing and evaluating agricultural policies and programs such as farm income safety nets and environmental sustainability; and making production, marketing and investment decisions. Statistics Canada uses the data as benchmarks for its regular surveys on crops, livestock and farm finances between census years. This release contains all farm and farm operator data. For current Census of Agriculture data refer to Statistics Canada.
This table contains 2 series, with data for years 1976 - 2010 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years), and is no longer being released. This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 item: Canada); Price of steers (2 items: Toronto A1 and A2 steers;Alberta steers).
Open Government Licence - Canada 2.0https://open.canada.ca/en/open-government-licence-canada
License information was derived automatically
Cattle and calves statistics, number of farms reporting and average number of cattle and calves per farm, Canada and provinces (number). Data are available on a semi-annual basis.
Open Government Licence - Canada 2.0https://open.canada.ca/en/open-government-licence-canada
License information was derived automatically
Get statistical data on weekly cattle prices in Ontario. Data includes: * Ontario large and medium frame feeder and fed cattle prices * market price * feed cost * feeder steer margin Statistical data are compiled to serve as a source of agriculture and food statistics for the province of Ontario. Data are prepared primarily by Statistics and Economics staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, in co-operation with the Agriculture Division of Statistics Canada and various government departments and farm marketing boards.
Value per head of livestock at July 1, Canada and provinces (in dollars). Data are available on an annual basis.
This statistic displays the number of cattle on dairy farms aged under one year on farms in Canada from 2014 to 2024 in millions, as of January 1 of each year. On January1, 2024, there were approximately **** million cattle on Canadian dairy farms.
This table contains 8 series, with data for years 1930 - 1990 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years), and is no longer being released. This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (4 items: Montreal;Toronto;Winnipeg;Calgary); Type of livestock (4 items: Slaughter steers, good;Slaughter cows, good;Feeder steers, good;Calves veal, good and choice).
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Employment statistics on the Beef Cattle Production industry in Canada
Number of cattle, by class and farm type, Canada and provinces (head x 1,000). Data are available on an annual basis.