The BC beef cattle industry is made up primarily of cow-calf operations. Approximately 4,086 cattle ranches operate in BC, making up 5% of Canada's national cow herd. BC ranchers take pride in filling the first role in the beef production chain, and the industry is an important part of the history, environment, economy, and future of British Columbia. BC producers employ safe and healthy methods in all production aspects such as animal health, transportation, food safety and traceability. Calves are typically born and raised on range-land, where they will graze and/or be fed locally grown forages.
Cow-calf operations require extensive land and access to forage and water. BC beef producers are true land stewards, and work to protect and sustain the land through a variety of programs and management practices.
BC ranches occupy over 5 million acres of private land and have tenure on a further 21.5 million acres of crown range-land.
Approximately 66% of the Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR) is owned by ranches.
The BC cattle industry is extremely diverse-including small hobby farms, diversified operation and large cattle ranches. Smaller ranches dominant the South West portion of the province, whereas the larger ranches are located typically in the Northern and Interior regions. The majority of calves raised in BC are marketed in the fall via live auctions to feedlots in Alberta and the US where they will be fed a grain diet and brought up to slaughter weight. A small portion of calves remain in BC for back grounding or finishing.
The BC beef industry is important to the province's economy and supports many family and community businesses.
The total economic contribution of the industry is estimated at $600 million annually, or 0.25% of the province’s GDP.
There are an estimated 8700 persons employed in the BC beef sector.
How many Cattle are in BC? Statistics Canada reported the January 1, 2019 count of cattle and calves on Farms in BC to be: Bulls..........................12,600 Beef cows ..............208,300 Dairy cows ...............85,200 Dairy Hfrs .................43,200 Beef Hfrs breeding..... 39,300 Beef Hfrs slaughter.....23,100 Steers ......................22,800 Calves ...................175,500 Total ..........610,000 head