Sector reference for Ontario beef finishing as of May 2026.

Headline

• Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) represents ~19,000 beef farmers across cow-calf, backgrounding, and feedlot finishing (ontariobeef.com).

Finishing concentration

Most feedlot finishing capacity sits in Bruce, Grey, Huron, and Perth counties, typically 500–2,500 head turnover.

Barn type

Open-front and naturally-ventilated finishing barns dominate. Closed and heated finishing barns are the exception in Ontario.

Operational implication for fuel mix

Beef finishing is the smallest livestock propane consumer per head among the four sectors. The dominant fuel is dyed (coloured) diesel, not propane: TMR mixers, skid-steers, feed trucks, manure spreaders, and the loader fleet all run on diesel. Detail in Concept: Beef finishing propane load profile.

Sources

Beef Farmers of Ontario (ontariobeef.com); OMAFRA beef finishing fact sheets.