ABOUT BEEF IN ONTARIO
This information is brought to you by Canada Beef, the national beef promotion organization, in partnership with the Beef Farmers of Ontario, which represents the 19,000 beef cattle producers in the province.
OUR FARMERS AND RANCHERS
Canada Beef represents a community of over 60,000-strong beef farming and ranching families across the country. In Ontario, we may choose ball caps over cowboy hats but we’re easy to spot in your community. Ontario beef farmers are your neighbours and friends, and you’ll find us at your local bank, grocery store, arena, school, farmers’ market or pretty much anywhere else you frequent. There are 19,000 of us across the province and we all have one thing in common – we’re passionate about raising cattle and taking care of the land to provide safe, healthy and delicious beef products for your family and ours.
Cow-Calf Farming and Ranching
Over the first 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 pounds and will continue to grow while grazing on pastures or eating dried grasses in the form of hay. Farmers ensure cattle have access to water at all times, and raise their animals with the goals of ensuring both healthy cattle and a sustainable environment.
CLICK FOR MORE
Feeding Farms
After grazing on open pastures, cattle are often moved to feedlot 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 feedlot farm.
CLICK FOR MORE
Beef Production
After the feeding or finishing 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.
CLICK FOR MORE
Our Beef
Our great-tasting and nutritious beef is produced by Ontario beef farmers. World-class cattle genetics and careful attention to animal care combined with generations of experience and tradition helps us to deliver a product that is truly exceptional. Ontario farmers work hard to bring you fresh, local, nutrient-rich, 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.
CLICK FOR MORE
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 fat within the lean meat. The amount of marbling contributes to the juiciness, tenderness and flavour of our beef.
CLICK FOR MORE
% Daily Value of Key Nutrients in Beef
Source: 2021 Census of Agriculture
Source: 2021 Census of Agriculture