April 29, 2004

Canada Cattle On Feed Figures Down

THE number of cattle on feed in Canada as at April 1 was down 23 per cent from last year, as feedlots reduced numbers while most export markets remain closed.

The Canadian feedlot survey is conducted for feedlots in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, in which there were 785,291 cattle on feed.

Placements during March were just two per cent lower year-on- year (780,597 head), possibly indicating that lotfeeders are fairly optimistic about future market prospects. Marketings during March (158,020 head) were 14 per cent below last year.

The US (Canada's largest beef export market) and Mexico have partially lifted bans on Canadian beef imports, enabling Canada to export beef derived from cattle under 30 months of age