Climate change is increasing northern Ontario cattle herds — and beef prices

Canadian cattle farmers saw a 2.5% increase in their herds in early 2026, a modest gain after eight years of contraction. The Canadian Cattle Association's research division, CanFax, reported this growth. Beef prices in Canada are 23% higher than the national five-year average. Weather concerns, particularly drought, have driven up beef prices. Droughts in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have been severe, with record insurance payouts in Alberta. In contrast, northern Ontario, including areas like Sudbury and Cochrane, has seen an increase in cattle populations due to warmer temperatures making it easier to grow feed crops. The Peace Region and northeast Saskatchewan are also experiencing longer growing seasons. While this shift may benefit local producers, it is unlikely to ease rising beef prices soon, as it typically takes two years for herd rebuilds to impact store shelves.