Canadian Cattle Production System
In this section:
The Canadian Agricultural Tradition
Cattle Production in Canada
Animal Welfare Standards and Enforcement
Respecting the Natural Environment
Leadership in Animal Health
Canadian Cattle Production System Advantages
The Canadian Agricultural Tradition
Cattle production has been an essential part of the Canadian agricultural tradition
for more than 300 years. Settlers coming to our lands in the 1600s relied on cattle
for their meat, milk, and leather. Over time, production expanded and at present
there are more than five million beef cows on 83,000 farms and ranches across Canada.
Cattle Production in Canada
The process of raising cattle for beef production begins on the cow-calf operation
where breeding typically occurs in the summer, followed by the birth of the calf
the following spring. After weaning, calves are provided with feed, shelter and
bedding throughout the Canadian winter when snow and cold temperatures act as a
natural barrier to disease. When animals reach a target weight of 770 to 880 lbs
they are fed a carefully formulated diet of grain in the feedlot. This promotes
well-marbled, flavorful and tender meat with firm, white-colored fat. The Canadian
cattle industry maintains an ongoing effort to enhance beef quality through breed
selection and genetic improvement programs.
Animal Welfare Standards and Enforcement
Canada’s National Farm Animal Care Council has the responsibility for Codes
of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals. The Code for beef cattle
was developed through a collaborative effort which included Canadian cattle producers,
veterinarians, regulators, and animal welfare advocates. The
Canadian Food Inspection Agency enforces the standards in the federal Health
of Animals Act for transportation of animals, and monitors the humane handling and
slaughter of cattle. Maintaining animal welfare is an important responsibility and
an essential contributor to high quality beef production.
Respecting the Natural Environment
Canada is the second largest country in the world and has an abundance of fresh
water and wide open spaces. Often the land used for grazing by cattle is not well
suited to other types of agriculture; cattle production allows this area to be used
productively. For a cattle operation to be sustainable, soil and water quality must
be closely monitored and maintained. Provincial and federal laws protect the natural
environment and support the safety and wholesomeness of Canadian beef.
Read more about the Sustainability in Canada’s Cattle Production.
Leadership in Animal Health
The health of Canada’s breeding herd is protected by strict controls on importation
of livestock genetics. The Animal Health and Production Division of the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency determines if importation of animals, embryos or semen will
be permitted based on a detailed assessment, including a review of the exporting
country’s animal health status. Canada utilizes a national animal disease
surveillance program to detect potentially emerging animal diseases and monitor
the effectiveness of control programs. If disease is detected, the ability to rapidly
and accurately identify the herd of origin of affected animals is supported by the
National Cattle Identification System.
This mandatory system is enforced under Canadian federal law and is the first of
its type in North America.
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Canadian Cattle Production System Advantages
Beef Breed Selection
Canada’s cooler weather does not limit the selection of breeds to those which
can tolerate high heat conditions with potentially reduced carcass quality. The
Canadian industry utilizes Bos taurus type genetics, which include Angus, Charolais,
Hereford, Simmental and Limousin breeds. Cross breeding is utilized to combine the
best characteristics of several breeds into one animal. Canada produces more than
30 different breeds of cattle.
Genetic Improvement
Canadian breeding stock producers utilize tools such as real-time ultrasound to
examine the rib-eye area, back fat and marbling levels in the live animal, which
help determine its genetic potential. Ultrasound measurements used to determine
the area of the rib-eye are taken at the same site used for grading. In this way
characteristics of the live animal are related to yield and quality attributes of
the carcass.
Grain-Fed Cattle Production
Canada is one of the largest grain producers in the world. In the western provinces,
more than 80,000 farmers grow crops of barley and wheat, while eastern Canada grows
significant amounts of corn. As a result, Canada can supply beef produced from cattle
fed diets of barley and wheat, as well as producing corn-fed beef and veal.
HACCP Based programs
The Animal Nutrition Association of Canada has developed a comprehensive
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) system for animal feed production
called FeedAssure™. This program includes a requirement for independent audits of
feed mills including production processes and record keeping.
Cattle ID Programs
The National Cattle Identification System
is enforced under the authority of federal law. Each animal must have an ear tag
approved by the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency when leaving its original
herd. Canada’s mandatory system utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID)
ear tags and an Internet database to enable rapid and accurate animal identification.
Animal Disease Surveillance
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency Animal Disease Surveillance Unit works to detect
and respond to potentially emerging animal diseases. Through the formation of a
nationwide network, the disease detection capabilities of Canada’s veterinarians,
and its provincial and university diagnostic laboratories are combined.
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