Canada has 15 million cattle and 90,000  beef producers.
Beef productiontakes place in every province and is an anchor to the
national agricultural industry. With over 2 million head capacity the feedlot
sector is a vital part of the national beef production chain. Feedlots in different
regions collectivelysupport a beef production chain that includes strong
components across the country.

• Over 2 million head capacity   
• 3.4 million head annual output  (fed slaughter plus fed exports)

Industry capacity

More than capacity alone, the feedlot sector has become a value-added
lynchpin to the entire Canadian beef industry, helping to ensure a larger
portion of beef industry valueis captured in Canada. Calves, yearlings and
other cattle that enter the feedlot come from farms, ranches and backgrounding
operations – together delivering a high quality production environment
respected and envied around the world. Abundant land, fresh water,
sophisticated production skills,leading technology and advanced food safety
systems, are all an integral part of Canada’s beef brand domestically and globally.

Key link in the value chain

The feedlot is the most intensive component of this beef production chain
and it is where a significant portion of value is added. Cattle typically enter
the feedlot at nine to 11 months of age and about 900 pounds. Calves
might enter feedlots earlier at 500 pounds. They spend 60 to 200 days on
highly-specialized, increasingly grain-based rations until they reach market
weight of approximately 1,300 pounds. Feedlots add more than pounds, they
add value. Operations have grown in depth and sophistication. In the process
they have developed world-leading systems designed to capture the benefits
of the beef production chain and genetic base.Feedlots link with the packing
and processing industry to help capture that value through the market chain.
Their knowledge and expertise means cattle feeders are also leaders
on a broad range of issues critical to industry competitiveness.