Hormone Implants in Canadian Beef

Growth-promoting implants are used in some Canadian beef production systems
to improve growth and feed efficiency. They are approved animal-health
products, but not every producer or beef program uses them.

What is a hormone implant?

A growth implant is a small product placed under the skin of the animal’s
ear. Depending on the approved product, it releases compounds that influence
growth over a period of time.

Why are implants used?

Their purpose is to help cattle convert feed into body weight more
efficiently. Improved feed efficiency can reduce the amount of feed and time
required to produce a given amount of beef.

Are implants used on every beef animal?

No. Practices vary between farms and production programs. Some producers use
approved implants as part of conventional beef production. Others choose not
to use growth-promoting implants, particularly when supplying markets that
specify no added growth hormones or similar production requirements.

What about naturally occurring hormones?

Animals naturally produce hormones. This is why phrases such as “no added
hormones” are more informative than suggesting that beef itself is
completely hormone-free.