February 14, 2012

Canada's 2012 beef output to rise 4%

Canadian beef production is set to climb 4% on-year to 1.2 million tonnes this year, according to a USDA report. 

As a result of plentiful supplies of feed quality wheat and barley, it is expected that live cattle exports to the US will fall, ensuring more cattle are fed and slaughtered in Canada during 2012.

Towards the end of 2011, and through the beginning of 2012, Canadian producers have been rebuilding their herds.

With cheaper feed grain prices and higher cattle futures prices expected, replacement and retention of heifers is anticipated to be high in 2012.

During the period between December 2011 and January 2012, cow slaughter was back 12.5% on-year and 27.6% on the five-year average, to 55,202 head.