Beef cattle

Beef cattle are ruminant animals capable of digesting fibrous material that cannot be used by people and converting it into wholesome, high-protein food suitable for human consumption.

Canada's 13 million cattle spend most of their lives grazing on land unsuitable for crop production, or on land that is part of an integrated and sustainable cropping system.  However, in the winter, cows are kept on rangeland, in woodlots, or in loose housing.  During this season, they are provided with hay and other forages which have been cut, dried, and stored the previous summer.

In autumn, calves are separated from the cows.  They are used to replenish cow herds, or are sold to feedlots.  These animals will range from 272 kilograms (600 pounds) to 408 kilograms (900 pounds).  At these facilities, they are fed nutritionally balanced rations of hay, silage and feed grains (barley or corn).  Cattle may also be fed food manufacturing by-products such as cull potatoes, tomato pomace and sugar beet pulp.

Once the animal weighs between 455 kilograms (1,000 pounds) and 546 kilograms (1,200 pounds), it is sold to a processing plant.  Careful feeding and handling of cattle are essential to ensure a high quality product for the consumer.

Canada produces approximately 1.2 billion kilograms (2.7 billion pounds) of beef annually.  Canadians purchase about 23 kilograms (51 pounds) per year. Canada exports 200 million kilograms (440 million pounds) of beef yearly, primarily to the United States, Japan, and other Pacific Rim markets.

The Canadian beef industry is an important producer of a food that provides a valuable contribution to the nation.