Cattle and sheep inventories in Canada increased on Jan. 1 compared to the same date a year earlier.
Statistics Canada reported 11.1 million cattle and calves on farms, up 2.5% year over year and marking the first annual increase since 2018. The agency reported that inventories rose across all cattle categories, including beef heifers for breeding (up 4.8%) and beef cows (up 1.9%). Producers held 3.6 million calves, up 4.3%, supported by a 42.7% rise in calf imports during the second half of 2025.
Statistics Canada also reported that cattle slaughter declined 6.5% and exports fell 8.9% during the period.
Sheep and lamb inventories increased 3% to 833,000 head.
