CIBORO Foods FAQs

At a Glance

Over the past three decades, cow-calf and veal production have become pillars of Québec’s livestock industry. While Québec accounts for around 4% of Canada’s total beef production, it dominates the national veal market, contributing over 70% of total output. Québec also produces 11% of Canada’s commercial beef, sourced primarily from dairy and beef herds.

Despite past challenges like BSE and tough economic conditions in the late 2000s, Québec’s abundant pastureland, forage availability, and skilled producers continue to position the province for strong growth in the cattle sector. Today, beef ranks as the fourth-largest livestock production category in Québec, following dairy, hogs, and poultry.

There are approximately 8,122 cattle farms in Québec, ranging from small family operations to specialized commercial farms. These farms are committed to animal welfare, food safety, and environmental stewardship. Together, they market over 561,000 cattle annually, with an on-farm value of $695 million.

Québec’s Two Main Cattle Sectors

1. Beef Production
Includes feeder calves, fed cattle, cull cattle, and dairy calves used for meat.

2. Veal Production
Split into grain-fed and milk-fed veal calves, each with distinct feeding methods and rearing practices.

Cull Cattle & Dairy Calves

Cull cattle — typically retired dairy and beef cows, and bulls — are a valuable source of lean meat, primarily used in ground beef. Québec processes over 91,000 cull cattle annually, generating more than 60 million pounds of beef and $142 million in sales.

Dairy calves, particularly males, are sold to veal producers. Female calves may be retained for milk production or sold for meat if unfit for milking. Traceability and genetic renewal are key benefits of the culling and calf marketing systems.

Veal Production

Grain-Fed Veal

Calves are fed a diet that includes at least 50% corn during the finishing stage. Raised in open pens with high welfare standards, these calves undergo two main stages: nursery and finishing. Québec is home to around 126 grain-fed veal farms, producing nearly 18,000 calves annually and generating about $103 million in farmgate value.

Milk-Fed Veal

Typically Holstein calves raised over a 20-week period on high-quality milk. Québec’s 48 milk-fed veal farms produce over 66,000 calves annually, with a total farmgate value of $120 million. These calves are reared with personalized care and strict adherence to health, nutrition, and traceability standards.

Beef Production

Feeder Calves

Young calves spend their early months grazing with their mothers and are sold at 7–10 months, weighing 500–800 lbs. Québec has roughly 3,100 cow-calf farms producing over 109,000 feeder calves annually — a $200 million industry. These calves are typically raised on pasture and valued for their meat potential due to their genetics.

Fed Cattle

Once feeder calves reach a certain weight, they enter feedlots where they’re finished over 8–10 months with a high-energy grain-based diet. Québec produces over 65,000 fed cattle each year, generating about $215 million in value. A well-finished steer yields approximately 850 lbs of beef.

Economic Impact

Total Employment: Veal production supports about 1000 jobs.
Farmgate Sales: Combined beef and veal generate over $500 million annually.
Traceability: All sectors benefit from ATQ’s cattle tracking system, ensuring full transparency from farm to table.
Added Value: For every $100 million generated in sales, approximately $49 million is reinvested into Québec’s economy.