Canadian Livestock Inventories Rise Across the Board as Cattle Herd Posts Strongest Growth Since 2004

Statistics Canada data show cattle inventories climbing 3.2% to 12.1 million head by 1 July 2026 — the largest annual increase in more than two decades — alongside a 0.6% rise in hog numbers to 14 million, signalling a broad if uneven stabilisation in Canadian livestock production after years of drought-driven contraction and tight feed supplies.

Canada’s cattle herd is showing its clearest recovery signal in over twenty years. Statistics Canada reported total cattle numbers of 12.1 million head at 1 July 2026, up 3.2% year-on-year — the strongest annual increase since 2004 and a second consecutive year of growth. The rebound has been driven by reduced slaughter volumes, higher imports and historically strong cattle prices.

Breeding stock led the expansion, with beef heifers retained for breeding up 5.7% and beef cows up 1.9%. Calves rose 4.6%, while feeder heifers and steers increased 3.8% and 3.4% respectively. The recovery follows a severe contraction that saw the national herd fall to its smallest level since 1989 in early 2024, after drought and constrained feed supplies forced widespread liquidation. First-half 2026 slaughter volumes fell 4.6% to 1.5 million head, with live cattle exports declining and imports rising sharply.

The hog sector is also expanding, though more modestly. Inventories reached 14 million head, up 0.6% year-on-year, with growth across both eastern and western Canada. The breeding herd grew 1.2% to 1.2 million sows and gilts, while the first-half pig crop rose 4.2% to 15.8 million. Live hog exports climbed 10% to 3.8 million head, and domestic slaughter rose 2% to 11.2 million head.

Farm Credit Canada has pointed to supportive hog futures and lower feed costs as underpinning the outlook, though disease risk remains a persistent concern across both sectors.

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