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The Canadian Holstein Industry

Canada’s national dairy herd numbers 1.8 million animals, 95% of which are Holsteins
The Holstein Association of Canada estimated that there are approximately 550,000 registered Holsteins currently in Canada. In 1995, 233,979 Holsteins were registered.
Canada has only 3% of the world’s Holstein populations, yet it supplies 12.9% of the world’s exports of Holstein genetics.
In 1995/6, Canada exported over 2.7 million doses of bovine semen to 57 countries
In 1993 alone, over $92 million in Holstein dairy genetics were exported from Canada through the sale of live cattle, embryos and semen.
In 1994, Canada exported 8,188 registered Holsteins to 31 countries. The major foreign buyers were USA, U.K., Brazil, Mexico and Taiwan. In 1995, 822 animals were imported and 7,972 were exported.
The majority of Holsteins in Canada are found in Ontario and Quebec, concentrated in the area from Detroit to Montreal, within 80 kilometers of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Canadian annual milk production remains relatively stable at 7,000,000 kilolitres. Over one third of the milk supply is consumed as fluid milk with the balance being processed into many products such as cheese, butter, yogurt, and skim milk powder.
Canada ranks fourth for both kilograms of milk and protein in 305 days amongst 11 countries.