Livestock estimates, July 1, 2026
Released: 2026-08-24
On July 1, 2026, Canadian cattle, hog and sheep inventories were up compared with the same date one year earlier.
Reduced slaughter and stronger international imports contributed to Canadian cattle herd growth on July 1. Inventories rose across all categories of cattle and calves, supporting recovery in the beef sector.
On July 1, Canadian hog inventories were up in both Eastern and Western Canada, as higher production outpaced increases in both slaughter and international exports.
Canadian sheep inventories rose on July 1 for the second consecutive year, as slaughter decreased in the first half of 2026 relative to the same period one year earlier.
Cattle and calves
Canadian cattle producers held 12.1 million cattle and calves on their farms on July 1, 2026, up 3.2% from one year earlier, marking the largest year-over-year increase since 2004.
Chart 1
Total cattle inventories, July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026
Cattle producers retained more breeding stock on July 1, 2026, compared with the same date the previous year, notably more beef heifers for breeding (+5.7%), beef cows (+1.9%), dairy heifers for breeding (+1.2%), bulls (+1.0%) and dairy cows (+0.9%). Producers also held a greater number of feeder heifers (+3.8%) and steers (+3.4%). The number of calves grew 4.6% to 3.9 million head.
Over the January-to-June 2026 period, cattle and calf slaughter fell 4.6% year over year to 1.5 million head, the lowest January-to-June level since 2016. Meanwhile, international exports of live cattle and calves decreased 16.4% to 326,300 head, whereas international imports rose 31.4% to 235,700 head, increasing the domestic supply of cattle. Feeder cattle, slaughter cattle and calf prices reached record highs over the first half of 2026, supported by continued strong global demand for beef and live animals.
Hogs
Canadian hog producers reported having 14.0 million hogs on their farms on July 1, 2026, up 0.6% from the same date in 2025.
Chart 2
Total hog inventories, July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026
Hog producers reported holding 1.2 million sows and gilts (+1.2%) on July 1, 2026, and the number of boars was up 0.7% year over year to 15,400 head. Meanwhile, the pig crop rose to 15.8 million in the first half of 2026, a 4.2% year-over-year increase.
From January to June, international exports of live hogs were up 10.0% year over year to 3.8 million head, supported by favourable prices. Total hog slaughter rose 2.0% to 11.2 million head, reflecting strong domestic demand for pork meat.
Sheep and lambs
On July 1, 2026, Canadian inventories of sheep and lambs were up 1.0% year over year to 1.0 million head.
Chart 3
Total sheep inventories, July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026
The sheep breeding herd rose 0.3% year over year to 629,500 head on July 1, as increased inventories of replacement lambs (+1.5%) and ewes (+0.1%) more than offset a 0.8% decrease in rams. The number of market lambs was up 2.1% to 418,400 head over the same period.
From January to June, sheep and lamb slaughter dropped 3.7% year over year to 346,700 head, while international exports of live sheep and lambs rose nearly eightfold to 9,700 head, the vast majority of which originated from Ontario.
Prices for both feeder and slaughter lambs reached new record highs over the January-to-June period, surpassing the previous records established in 2025.
Note to readers
Livestock estimates are available for Canada and the provinces, as well as for the United States.
As part of fiscal realignment efforts, Livestock Survey collection will be reduced to taking place once per year, for the July 1 reference period. The Livestock Estimates program will begin to produce model-based estimates to replace the January survey, as of January 1, 2027, reference. This aligns with the AgZero initiative to modernize Statistics Canada's approach to producing agriculture data through use of new technology and data collection methods, and to remove or reduce response burden and avoid duplication, while preserving the timeliness and quality of agriculture data. To learn how the agency is adapting to continue delivering quality data Canadians rely on, visit Delivering trusted data through change.
The Census of Agriculture was conducted in May.
Every five years, farm operators across Canada complete the Census of Agriculture.
Insights from the 2026 Census will provide crucial information about the agriculture sector in Canada to help make business decisions.
For more information on agriculture and food, visit the Agriculture and food statistics portal.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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