The capacity of individual feedlots varies from fewer than 100 animals to more than 75,000. Alberta has 4,000 feedlot operators. About 100 large feedlots now finish over 75 per cent of Alberta's beef cattle. Both producers and buyers benefit by finishing cattle in feedlots. Alberta's producers can market cattle at desired weights and grades.
Packers can buy direct at the feedlot and then truck the product directly to their next destination.
Almost all animals in a feedlot are fed finishing rations for at least 120 days. Average live weight at slaughter for steers is about 500 to 600 kilograms. The average for heifers is around 475 to 550 kilograms. The quality of the animals produced through these facilities speak for themselves. Almost 93 per cent of Alberta cattle grade Canada A, Canada AA, Canada AAA and Canada Prime, the highest grades in the Canadian grading system.