USDA predicts bleak 2024 for Canadian beef sector

Nov 01, 2023

According to a western Canadian market analyst, most of that forecast checks out.

The report, published by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service office in Ottawa in late September, predicted the Canadian cow herd and calf crop will continue to shrink next year. The FAS suggested beef cow numbers will fall by almost 3.7 per cent, to 3.43 million head from 3.56 million, while calf stocks are expected to see a smaller drop, to 4.2 million from 4.25 million.

“Improved feed conditions in 2022-23 following the 2021 drought did not encourage any meaningful expansion or significant heifer retention amongst cow-calf producers,” the report read.

“The 2023 beef cow herd was the smallest in recent years, and drought conditions in certain regions on the southern prairies led to increased cow slaughter and a lack of signals for heifer retention.”

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Video: Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University discusses how precision livestock farming data can support pig health, welfare, transparency, and decision making. She explains why data ownership, privacy, consumer perception, and cost sharing must be addressed as technology becomes more common on farms. Listen now on all major platforms.

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Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford / janice-siegford-24318839 is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Her expertise in animal welfare, neuroscience, and zoology supports research on pig behavior, stress resilience, and precision livestock farming. Her work explores early weaning, genetics, and stakeholder perspectives on technology adoption to improve pig care, health, and productivity. Learn more from Dr. Janice Siegford on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.