Canada's livestock herd shrinks to lowest level in a decade: StatsCan
By Dina O'Meara, Calgary HeraldFebruary 16, 2010 12:02 PM
CALGARY - Hog farms and cattle herds in Canada and Alberta have shrunk to their lowest levels in more than a decade as high grain prices and the aftermath of tighter border restrictions were felt by the livestock industry in 2009.
Canadian exports of live cattle and calves fell 32 per cent last year, while slaughter levels fell four per cent, according to a new report by Statistics Canada released today.
In Alberta, cattle inventories slid 4.3 per cent, year-over-year, the federal agency said.
On the hog side, the number of hogs in Alberta fell 5.3 per cent during the same time period to 1.5 million head.
Provincial numbers closely followed a national trend which saw the Canadian breeding herd drop 4 per cent in 2009, and the inventory of sows drop to 1.3 million head, levels not seen since 2000.
Demand for grain-produced ethanol in North America since 2007 jacked up feed costs for producers also hit by poor grazing due to drought in Alberta.
As well, last year U.S. Country of Origin Labeling regulations were fully implemented, reducing the competitiveness of the Canadian export market.
