Province of New Brunswick

About Beef in New Brunswick

This information is brought to you by Canada Beef, the national beef promotion organization, in partnership with the New Brunswick Cattle Producers Association that represent the beef cattle producers in our province.

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Our Farmers and Ranchers

Canada Beef represents a community of over 60,000-strong beef farming and ranching families across the country. After almost 150 years since the beginning of our industry, New Brunswick farmers and ranchers continue to use the people and resources of this province to make New Brunswick beef the product that it is today. Did you know there are three main stages of raising cattle, starting with cow-calf farming/ranching, feeding farms and harvesting and producing of beef. These stages all require various businesses, farmers, and ranchers, and each one plays a distinct role to bring you the delicious New Brunswick beef that you enjoy.

Cow-Calf Farming and Ranching

All cattle are raised by grazing in the pasture on cow-calf farms and ranches, found across Canada, as our country provides the ideal environment. These dedicated farmers and ranchers maintain a herd of cows that give birth to calves once a year. When a calf is born, it typically weighs 60 to 100 pounds. Click here to learn more.

Cow-Calf Farming and Ranching

Over the next few months, each calf will obtain nutrients from its mother’s milk and over time begins to graze on Canada’s grass pastures. Once calves are ready to be weaned, they weigh around 500 to 800 lbs and will continue to grow while grazing on pastures, or they can be brought into barns or corrals. Farmers and ranchers ensure that cattle have access to water at all times. Farmers and ranchers raise their animals with the goals of ensuring both healthy cattle and a sustainable environment. Grazing cattle are an integral part of the grassland ecosystem and play an important role in nutrient recycling. Pasture lands are important stores of carbon and provide habitat to many species at risk as well as preservation of wetlands that otherwise may be subject to cultivation. As with any food production system, there is an environmental footprint associated with beef production. However, Canadian beef farmers and ranchers take great pride and care to raise cattle using environmentally sustainable practices combined with world-class food safety and quality assurance systems. Beef farming and ranching isn’t just a business it’s also a way of life.

Feeding Farms

After grazing on open pastures, cattle are often moved to feeding farms, where they are fed a diet containing grain. This period, before an animal goes to market is called finishing. In Canada, cattle typically spend between 60-200 days at a feeding farm.

Feeding Farms

Canada has an abundant supply of grain. This includes barley, wheat, and corn. Grain used for feeding is typically not suitable for human consumption. Animals may use crops that have been damaged by weather or plant imperfections. Regardless, the animals have access to a nutritionally balanced diet that is often created with the assistance of a professional working in animal nutrition. Farmers work closely with their veterinarians to provide care for their animals.

Beef Production

After the feeding stage and the cattle have reached market weight (typically 1,400 to 1,500 pounds), they are transported by trucks to a regulated facility for processing into beef products.

Beef Production

In Canada, the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency inspectors oversee the implementation of safety, animal welfare and quality standards from the time animals enter the plant until the final beef products are shipped to grocery stores and restaurants. The efforts of our famers and ranchers, leads to the pure enjoyment of a variety of cuts of beef, including delicious steaks, roasts and ground beef that end up on our tables. Please visit the Our Beef section on this page to learn more about New Brunswick beef.

Our Beef

Our great tasting and nutritious beef is produced by New Brunswick farmers and ranchers. World class cattle genetics, careful attention to animal care combined with long experience and tradition helps us to deliver a product that is truly exceptional. New Brunswick farmers and ranchers work hard to bring you this delicious beef with the knowledge that the land we depend on must be preserved, through responsible environmental stewardship, for the next generation – and beyond.

Nutrition

Did you know beef fits into a healthy diet. Delicious and nutritious, beef is a meal maker full of nutrients with goodness in every bite. Ground beef, steaks, roasts, all beef are not only tasty, but they are also an excellent source of protein. Beef is one single ingredient. There’s nothing added and nothing taken away. And like other meats, beef is a complete protein. It has the full set of amino acid building blocks your body needs to help maintain muscle, repair tissue, and build antibodies.

Nutrition

Protein is not just about building strong muscles as protein makes up about 50% of bone structure. It also provides vitamins and minerals, like iron which is one of beef’s most famous nutrients. However, it’s important to understand that not all iron is created equal. The kind of iron in beef is better absorbed than the kind found in plants. And there is another benefit, meats like beef contain vitamin B 12, a vital vitamin that’s not available from plants yet it’s plentiful in beef. Beef is nutritious for every age and every stage of life, especially for babies, teens, pregnant women, and seniors as these groups have high nutritional needs. Therefore, choosing nutrient rich foods, like beef, really matters.

Marbling

Canadian beef is not just a favourite here at home, it’s also sold around the world. Have you ever wondered what makes it so tasty? Marbling is one key aspect and refers to the specs of white and/or amber fat within the lean meat. The amount of marbling contributes to the juiciness, tenderness, and flavour of our beef.

Marbling

Marbling also helps determine the quality grade of beef. The Canadian beef grading system helps ensure your quality expectations are met. Look for Canada’s beef grades when shopping for your favourite beef cut. Canada’s top three quality grades are Canada AA, Canada AAA, and Canada Prime. Each grade requires an increasing amount of marbling with Canada Prime having the highest level. In New Brunswick the marbling and flavour are in part a result of the grain we feed our cattle.

% Daily Value of Key Nutrients in Beef

% Daily Value of Key Nutrients in Beef

Source: 2021 Census of Agriculture

Our Contribution

By choosing Canadian beef, you are supporting your rural neighbours and Canada’s economy. There are beef farmers and ranchers in our province, striving to bring good food to your table and working to be good stewards of both the land and animals in their care. It takes commitment from hard working farmers and ranchers to keep our New Brunswick cattle industry moving forward. However, the results are worth it. This industry provides our province with a lot more than just a delicious steak or roast. Did you know...

Average Number of Beef Cows on Farms and Ranches

Average Number of Beef Cows on Farms and Ranches

Source: 2021 Census of Agriculture

Farms and Ranches with Beef Cows

Farms and Ranches with Beef Cows

Source: 2021 Census of Agriculture

Number of Cow Herds

Number of Cow Herds

Source: 2021 Census of Agriculture. Statistics Canada; Inventory x 1,000 head. Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding

Full-Time Equivalent Jobs Provided by the Cattle Industry

Full-Time Equivalent Jobs Provided by the Cattle Industry

Source: 2021 Census of Agriculture