Cattle production has grown dramatically in Quebec In the past twenty years. The quality of the livestock stands out in the markets and the sector is consolidating. Quebec is still a modest player on the Canadian scale, with beef production accounting for less than 5% of national production. However, the Quebec veal sector is the unchallenged leader in Canada, with over 82% of national production. We should also note that animals culled from the dairy and cow-calf herds contribute to the growth of beef production (so called commercial beef). Quebec produces more than 9% of Canadian commercial beef.
The bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis certainly slowed the growth rate of this production. However, thanks to its abundant pasture and forage, Quebec has strong development potential.
Beef production ranks third in Quebec livestock production, after dairy and hog production. In Quebec, there are currently about 13,100 farm operations partially or totally dedicated to cattle production. The producers are men and women with a passion for their profession. Over the years, they have developed modern livestock farming conditions and rigorous quality control, favouring on-farm food safety, animal welfare and animal health.
The agroenvironmental best practices implemented also ensure the sustainable development of cattle farms. Producers care deeply about offering consumers, nutritious, healthy meat of the highest quality!
Present throughout Quebec, cattle production is a key pillar of our agriculture and regional development. It generates more than 11,000 direct and indirect jobs. About 811,000 cattle are marketed each year, for a farmgate value of more than $556 million (2009).
Two Sectors - 2009 Overview
Quebec cattle production encompasses two sectors: beef production and veal production. The beef sector includes feeder calves (cattle fed on pasture), fed cattle, cull cattle and bob calves. The heavy veal sector includes grain-fed veal calves and milk-fed veal calves.
1 - FADQ - Insurable volume
2 - FADQ - Feeder calves = insurable beef cows x 0.8 calve sold/cow
3 - FPBQ - Sales Agencies
4 - Statistics Canada
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