Quick Factsheets:
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. 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.
