Fast Facts 2009.pdf
Number of Ranches in BC 4,086 beef cattle ranches (Statistics Canada Census 2006) 1,270 members in the BC Cattlemen's Association 40 feedlots (backgrounding & finishing) in BC
Volume of Beef Produced in BC As of July 1 2009, BC had 598,500 beef animals (Bulls, Cows, Calves, Steers, & Heifers). The total volume of beef produced from these animals is estimated to be 269,325,000 lbs. (Formula: 1100lb animal will yield 450lbs of meat. 598,500 animals x 450lbs = 269,325,000 lbs. of beef]
British Columbia Cattle & Beef Exports The annual value of live cattle & calves exported from BC = $62,304,000. The annual value of beef exports from BC = $4,060,000. # Live cattle from BC exported to the US in 2008 = 50, 166 head.
British Columbia Beef Consumption 4.405 Million people live in British Columbia (Statistics Canada Dec2008) 47.2lbs of beef is consumed per person annually (Statistics Canada 2008) Total estimated volume of beef consumed in BC = 207,916,000 lbs.
Note: Beef has the highest consumption rate over other meats: Pork 9.65kg, Chicken 10.67kg, Turkey 2.2kg, Eggs 12.3kg, and Fish 6.47kg
Economic Contributions The total beef sector contribution to the provincial economy is therefore conservatively estimated to be approximately $500 million annually.
Of BC’s Top 25 Farm Commodities, Cattle is ranked #5 ($206,485,000 farm cash receipts) while Calves rank #9 ($73,224,000 in farm cash receipts).
To determine the total value contribution of the BC beef cattle and calf sector to the provincial economy, an output multiplier is applied. In essence, the multiplier shows the ripple effect of each dollar spent in an economy. The concept holds that a spending regardless of whether initiated by industry, government (e.g. through support programs), or households will determine the total income or value contribution of the sector. A cursory extrapolation estimate of the beef sector using direct livestock multipliers and expenditures gives a multiplier of 0.34. Actual direct spending for goods and services by the beef sector including employment totalled $373 million in 2006. The total beef sector contribution to the provincial economy is therefore conservatively estimated to be approximately $500 million annually.
Employment The British Columbia beef cattle industry employs 8,700 people. (Labour Force Survey 2008)
2009 Canadian Beef & Ranching Statistics Summary (2009.pdf) BC Agriculture Statistics BC Beef Industry History
BC Agriculture Statistics BC Beef Industry History
BC Beef Industry History
How many Cattle Ranches are in BC? It has been said that the province is home to almost 4,086 cattle ranches including hobby farmers, diversified operations, part-time ranchers, recreation ranches and full-time operations who derive their primary income ranching. The BC Cattlemen’s Association has a voluntary membership and therefore represents a portion of the provincial herd. As of April 2009, the BCCA has approximately 1,270 cattle producers as members. How many Feedlots in BC? There are approximately 40 feedlots in British Columbia including backgrounding and finishing operations. For more information about the feeding industry click here. How many Slaughter Plants are in BC? There are three federally inspected plants in BC and almost 50 provincially inspected plants.A list and map of provincial meat plants is available online: http://www.bccdc.org/downloads/pdf/fps/reports/Meat%20Plant%20Map%20Feb%202009%20-%20Public%20Version%20-%20Final.pdf How many Cattle are in BC? Statistics Canada reported the January 1, 2009 count of cattle and calves on Farms in BC to be: Bulls........................13,000 head Beef cows ...............212,000 head Dairy cows ................69,000 head Dairy Hfrs .................32,000 head Beef Hfrs (breeding)..... 28,000 head Beef Hfrs (slaughter).... 12,000 head Steers ......................23,000 head Calves ....................166,000 head Total ......................555, 000 head [Source: Statistics Canada / Canfax Jan 1/09 Cattle Inventory (www.canfax.ca) ] The British Columbia cow herd fell 15% from 249,000 head in January 2008 to 212,000 in January 2009 -– the largest decline of all the provinces. BC now represents 4.3% of the Canadian Cow Herd.
The BC beef industry was the earliest in Canada. The first beef cattle movement into BC was in 1846 when Dr John McLoughin, Chief Factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company moved cattle and horses from Fort Vancouver at the mouth of the Columbia River to Fort Kamloops and Fort Alexandria. (Mclean 1982)
Shortly after the discovery of gold in 1858, General Joel Palmer crossed the border at Osoyoos with a cattle drive which reached the Thompson Valley that year. The next year he took the drive as far as Fort Alexandria. Over the next decade 22,000 head of cattle from the Oregon Territory were driven to the Barkerville area. (McLean 1982)
In his book outlining the history of the livestock producers' coop, Morrie Thomas shares the early beginnings of the BC beef industry.
"The cattle industry played an important role in the development of British Columbia and its economy since just shortly after the first gold seekers began their trek into the province. As the gold rush miners flooded into the province, opportunities opened up for the establishment of ranches to serve hte market provided by the miners.
The first cattle were driven up through the province from the USA and became the basis for the first herds and ranches. In th late 1800's and early 1900's, many ranches were developed throughout the Okanagan, Similkameen, Merritt, Kamloops, and north into the Cariboo and Peace River areas. As the population grew, packing plants were built, primarily in Vancouver area. In the 1930's and 40's there were as many as six large plants operating in the Vancouver area (Swifts, Canada Packers, Burns, Pacific Meats, Gainers and Alberta Meats). As the packing industry developed, it was natural that a stockyard was established there as well, which served as a marketing centre for all areas of the province."
For More Information about Morrie Thomas' book titled "Fifty Years - Three and a Half Million Cattle" ISBN #0-9697142-0-3, call the BC Livestock Producers' Cooperative in Kamloops 250-573-3939 www.bclivestock.bc.ca
