Beet Pulp Shortage -Manitoba, Canada

Canada-Wide Beet Pulp Shortage: What It Means for You & Your Animals

At Canvasback Pet Supplies, we work hard to keep our shelves well stocked with the essential products you rely on and today, we want to address an important update regarding the fall season beet pulp supply for Manitoba and all of Canada.

What’s Happening this fall?

There is currently a Canada-wide shortage of beet pulp, a key feed component especially valued by horse owners and livestock keepers for its digestibility and fiber content. This shortage is affecting availability across the country. 

Why the Beet Pulp Shortage?

Beet pulp production is tied directly to the sugar beet harvest, which happens only once per year. In the northern states, Sugar Beets are planted in late March/early April and harvested in late September and October. Once the previous year’s supply is depleted, there is no new product until the next harvest is processed and the beet pulp pellets are produced usually in October.

This year, in Canada demand for beet pulp pellets outpaced supply more quickly than anticipated, leaving a gap until the new crop becomes available.

Good News: We’ve Got You Covered

At Canvasback, we anticipated the shortage and secured a shipment of beet pulp arriving September 5th to support our horse customers through this period. While this shipment came at a higher cost, we made the decision to move forward and we’ve absorbed as much of the price increase as possible to keep it affordable for our customers to ensure that our valued customers can continue caring for their animals without disruption. If this shipment does not hold us over until November we also stocked up on some Beet Pulp alternatives, just incase. 

We hope our current inventory will carry us through until full supply resumes in November.

PLEASE NOTE: Purchasing Limits May Apply (Currently 3 bags max)

To help ensure that everyone has access to this limited resource, we may implement purchase limits on beet pulp products during this time. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to serve the entire Canvasback horse community fairly.

Current Beet Pulp Stock Status at Canvasback (As of Sept 18th 2025)

MasterFeeds Beet Pulp -SOLD OUT until November
Ritchie Smith Beet Pulp -INSTOCK  (Limit 3)
Ritchie Smith Fibre Plus (50% Beet Pulp/50% Soy Hulls) -IN-STOCK

We're Here to Help

If you have any questions about the shortage, your specific feed needs, or possible alternatives during this time, don’t hesitate to reach out. We also offer Fibre Plus from Ritchie Smith it is a beet pulp and soy pellet mix that many clients are using to help fill the gap. See below for more beet pulp feed alternatives. Our team is happy to offer guidance and support.

Alternatives to Beet Pulp

1. Ritchie Smith Fibre Plus

Ritchie Smith Feeds has taken beet pulp pellets and soyhull pellets, blended them evenly and repelleted the mixture into a clean, consistent pellet that soaks up in half the time as beet pulp pellets alone. Digestible fibre source, low in sugar and starch. Ideal for equine.
Crude Protein: 10%
Crude Fat: 1%
Starch: 2.5%
Sugar: 8%
Crude Fibre: 23%

2.  Ritchie Smith Soy Hull Pellets

Similar to beet pulp, soy hulls are a high-fiber, super-fiber alternative that can provide energy. Use as a source of digestible fibre to complement other feeds.

3. Alfa Tec Cubes or Pellets

Made from chopped and compressed forage such as timothy or alfalfa, available in pellet or cubes, they can be fed dry or soaked to increase moisture intake and make them easier to chew—especially beneficial for horses with dental issues. They provide a reliable source of fiber and protein in the diet.

4. High Fiber Horse Complete Pellet

Depending on your horses current diet and nutritional needs, you could consider using a high fiber or senior complete feed pellet. We carry Tribute, MasterFeeds and Harmony complete feed for horses. 

Thank you for your continued trust in Canvasback Pet Supplies! We’re committed to keeping your animals well-fed and cared for, no matter the challenges.

Available In-Store: Beet Pulp, Fibre Plus (while supplies last)
Visit us in-store or call to reserve your bag today.

Canvasback Pet Supplies
1 Wellink Drive Lockport Manitoba
204-757-2701