Canadian Cattle Herds Lowest Since 1994

Aug 21, 2012

Statistics Canada Estimates Cattle Inventories

Statistics Canada estimates show that Canadian cattle inventories are the smallest they’ve been since 1994. These estimates are from a comparison between July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012 inventory numbers. Cattle producers held 13.5 million cattle in July, 2012, which is down 13.53 million as compared to 2011. This trend is showing a steady decline from its peak in 2005.

Both beef and dairy cattle inventories are down. While beef cattle decline is more apparent, dairy cattle were down 2.2% compared to July 2011. Also, the first six months of 2012 report 1.6 million head of Canadian cattle went to slaughter which is a 2.2% drop from last year. Looking to the export markets, there was a figure of 398,900 head of cattle sold live in the first half of 2012. This segment of the market seems to be doing well and is up by 6.6% from last year.

Looking to other livestock inventories, hogs and sheep numbers went up. Hog inventories rose 1.5% and sheep showing slight jump to 0.6%.

The full report can be accessed from here: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/120821/dq120821c-eng.htm

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