How big is the average farm in Canada?
The size of the average Canadian farm has increased over time. At the same time, the number of Canadian farms has decreased as farmers and corporations expand their business by buying other farms. The 2016 census counted 193,492 farms in Canada. The average Canadian farm is about 800 acres (a little more than 3 km 2 ).
What is the agriculture sector in Canada?
Canada’s agriculture sector is a major part of the lives of many Canadians and their communities across the country. Not only does the sector feed us, but it adds massive value to the economy through billions of dollars worth of sales, exports and employment each year. You’ll find many kinds of agricultural goods across Canada’s vast expanse.
How much of Canada is suitable for crop production?
Less than one-twelfth of Canada’s land area is suitable for crop production. About four-fifths of this cropland is in the Prairie Provinces, where long sunny days in summer and adequate precipitation combine to provide excellent grain yields.
What is the value of fruit and vegetable farming in Canada?
> Horticulture, including vegetable and fruit production, generates about $6.7 billion worth of Canada’s farm cash receipts annually > In the 1600s, the first apple tree in Canada was planted in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia > Canada produces so many apples, each Canadian could eat 10 kilograms of apples per year – or 100 apples per person
What percent of Canada is farming?
In total, the rural farm population represented 9.5% of the total rural population in Canada (Table 3). This proportion varied across the country, with the largest proportion in Saskatchewan (27.8%) and the smallest in the Atlantic provinces (2.4%).
What rank is Canada in agriculture?
Simply put, from an environmental perspective, Canada’s agricultural sector is world class. It’s important to recognize that Canada ranks 12th overall (including in agriculture) out of 33 high-income countries on a wide range of environmental measures that relate to both human health and the protection of ecosystems.
What is Canada’s biggest agricultural?
Wheat is Canada’s largest crop and the single biggest export earner of all our agricultural products.
What is Canada the largest producer of?
Just off the podium The biggest crop that Canada produces is wheat; in 2017, Canadian farmers grew nearly one billion bushels of wheat.
What are the top 3 industries in Canada?
The three largest industries in Canada are real estate, mining, and manufacturing.The Canadian Economy by the Numbers.Canada’s Top Industries: Real Estate, Manufacturing, and Mining.Canada’s Top Trading Partners.The Bottom Line.
Is Canada self sufficient in food?
Food and Agriculture Organization, very few countries qualify. The only country in Europe that’s self-sufficient is France. Other countries in the exclusive club of self sufficiency: Canada, Australia, Russia, India, Argentina, Burma, Thailand, the U.S. and a few small others.
Does Canada grow its own food?
Production of many crops, including wheat, barley, grain corn, field peas, flaxseed, and dry beans has experienced large growth from 1908 to 2008 (Chart 1.4). As well, many new crops, including canola, soybeans and fodder corn are now grown extensively in Canada.
How big is the agriculture industry?
Agriculture, food, and related industries contributed $1.055 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020, a 5.0-percent share. The output of America’s farms contributed $134.7 billion of this sum—about 0.6 percent of GDP.
How many wineries are there in Canada?
British Columbia holds 240 wineries, spread throughout 4,152 hectares (10,260 acres). There are 138 wineries in Quebec, which manage 808 hectares (2,000 acres) of vineyards in the province. Nova Scotia holds 20 wineries, which manages 290 hectares (720 acres) of vineyards in the province.
What is Alberta known for?
Alberta is renowned still for its stampedes, and cattle ranching is a main industry. The agricultural industry is supplemented by livestock and mixed farming and wheat crops. Alberta is the second largest producer of wheat in Canada. Grain and dairying also play a role in the livelihoods of Alberta farmers.
How many primary crops are there in Canada?
Early in the 21st century, Canadian agronomists were aware of 48 “primary grain, vegetable and fruit crops”, based on surface area and value. In 2007, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture broke down into five primary “production sectors” Canadian agriculture according to cash receipts:
What was the first crop in the prairies?
Lord Selkirk, founder of the Red River Colony, harvested the first wheat crop in the western prairies in 1814. Red Fife wheat was introduced in 1868. Swine were brought to the Red River colony as early as 1819. The frontier land of southwest Alberta and southeast Saskatchewan were opened to ranching in the 19th century. Manitoba has a combination of mixed grain, livestock, and mixed farming industries in its southernmost areas. Cattle ranching around Lake Manitoba is also quite successful. Northern Manitoba consists of extensive lakes and forested geographical areas. The Dominion Land Act of 1872 offered agricultural pioneers an opportunity to “prove up” a quarter section of land (160 acres/65 hectares) in western Canada for a $10.00 filing fee and three years of improvements combined with residence on the land. Saskatchewan still has cattle ranching along its southwestern corner; grain farming and crops such as wheat, oats, flax, alfalfa, and rapeseed (especially canola) dominate the parkland area. Mixed grain farming, dairy farms, mixed livestock and grazing lands dot the central lowlands region of this prairie province.
How much did the Dominion Land Act of 1872 cost?
The Dominion Land Act of 1872 offered agricultural pioneers an opportunity to “prove up” a quarter section of land (160 acres/65 hectares) in western Canada for a $10.00 filing fee and three years of improvements combined with residence on the land.
What were the crops that the Iroquois and Huron cultivated?
In the 16th century Samuel de Champlain and Gabriel Sagard recorded that the Iroquois and Huron cultivated the soil for maize or “Indian corn”. Maize ( Zea mays ), potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum ), beans ( phaseolus ), squash ( Cucurbita) and the sunflower ( Helianthus annus) were grown throughout agricultural lands in North America by the 16th century. As early as 2300 BC evidence of squash was introduced to the northeastern woodlands region. Archaeological findings from 500 AD have shown corn cultivation in southern Ontario.
What are the main crops in Canada?
Early in the 21st century, Canadian agronomists were aware of 48 “primary grain, vegetable and fruit crops”, based on surface area and value. In 2007, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture broke down into five primary “production sectors” Canadian agriculture according to cash receipts: 1 grains and oilseeds: 34% 2 red meats – livestock: 24% 3 dairy: 12% 4 horticulture: 9% 5 poultry and eggs: 8%
The agri-food system
Canada’s food system is resilient and innovative, sustains our environment and supports our economy. In 2020, the whole agriculture and agri-food system:
Primary agriculture
Primary agriculture is defined as work that is performed within the boundaries of a farm, nursery or greenhouse. Canadian primary agriculture is an economic driver highly diversified across the country:
Food and beverage processing
Food and beverage processors transform raw food materials or substances into new products, which may be finished, so that they are ready to be used or consumed, or semi-finished, so that they become raw material to be used in further manufacturing.
International trade and domestic market
The success of the Canadian agriculture sector depends heavily on our ability to export to other countries and Canada is one of the world’s largest food exporters. In 2020, Canada exported nearly $74 billion in agriculture and food products (including raw agricultural materials, fish and seafood, and processed foods).
Sustainable economic growth
Canada has some key advantages that can help make us a leader in food production and processing:
Endnotes
The latest data on farm numbers are from 2016 and do not capture other and miscellaneous farms. All other data is from 2020.
General Canada Agriculture Statistics
This number grew to a whopping 169 million acres by 1971. Wheat is the most cultivated crop. Back in 1908, wheat farms stretched over 6 million acres and generated $91 million in farm gross value. Over the next 6 decades, the figures grew to 29 million acres of land, turning out $872 million worth of wheat.
More Statistics on Canada Agriculture
Wondering about how other Canadian agricultural products fared between these years? We’ve got you covered:
What are the different types of farming in Canada?
The Prairies are known for grain (particularly wheat ), oilseeds (especially canola), and cattle grazing. Central and eastern Canada have a wider variety of crops and livestock, and farmers tend to specialize in either a particular cash crop or a livestock type. Southwestern Ontario produces large amounts of grain corn (maize), soybeans, and white beans. Both southern Ontario and southwestern British Columbia produce a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Dairying is important around all the major cities. Because of the challenging climate and soil conditions, many Canadian farmers have embraced genetically modified organisms, though their disfavour in Europe jeopardizes exportability.
Why is dairying important?
Dairying is important around all the major cities. Because of the challenging climate and soil conditions, many Canadian farmers have embraced genetically modified organisms, though their disfavour in Europe jeopardizes exportability.
Why is Canada the leader in fish exports?
Canada catches only a tiny fraction of the fish taken from the world’s oceans, but it ranks among the leaders in volume of fish exports because of Canada’s relatively small population and low per capita fish consumption.
What was the impact of overfishing on the southern coast of Canada?
Overfishing and pollution depleted the fish resources in southern Canada significantly after the mid-20th century. Indeed, in 1992 the Canadian government imposed a moratorium on cod fishing—with disastrous effects for employment along the east coast.
What is the most valuable resource in Canada?
The most valuable forest region for timber production is the west coast, where the climate is conducive to the growth of giant trees with excellent lumber.
Which country exports pulp and paper?
Canada is the world leader in the export of pulp and paper and also exports large amounts of softwood lumber, mostly to the United States. British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec are the leading provinces in the production of forest products. Pulp and paper mill at Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Which part of the continental shelf has the shallowest water?
The parts of the continental shelf with the shallowest water are known as fishing banks; there plankton, on which fish feed, thrive because the sunlight penetrates to the seafloor. The most important of these fishing banks is the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.
What is the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food?
The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, also referred to as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) ( French: Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada ), is the department of the Government of Canada with responsibility for policies governing the production, processing, and marketing of all farm, food, and agri-based products.
What is the science and technology branch?
As part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Science and Technology Branch ( French: Direction générale des sciences et de la technologies) has the mandate to propose solutions and opportunities based on science to support competitiveness and the sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food sector.
How many employees does the Science and Technology Branch have?
The Science and Technology Branch has approximately 2,200 employees, including some 400 research scientists.
What is the goal of all activities?
The goal of all activities is to address the major scientific challenges facing 21st century agricultural production systems:
What is the purpose of the Experimental Farm Stations Act?
It is also in the Branch’s mandate to provide scientific information to inform departmental and governmental decision processes. Under the Experimental Farm Stations Act dating back to 1886, farm stations across Canada were established, including the Central Experimental Farm.
When did the Canadian Food Inspection Agency move to the Health Portfolio?
In 2013, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was moved from the Agriculture Portfolio to the Health Portfolio. From 1885 to 1918 it was responsible for collecting statistics. Prior to 1885 it was collected by the Department of Finance from 1867 to 1879.
When were experimental farm stations established?
Under the Experimental Farm Stations Act dating back to 1886, farm stations across Canada were established, including the Central Experimental Farm. The officers of these stations had the duty of conducting research in a number of specific areas pertinent to agricultural productivity and conservation, and of making the results of such research known by publication.
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Agricultural land importance in Canada
Agriculture is an important part of the economy in Canada. Promoting agricultural management helps ensure that agricultural land is cultivated and available for future food production.
Factors affected for buying agricultural land in British Columbia
Some agricultural land is more suitable for some crops than others. British Columbia’s diverse agricultural industry needs land from all walks of life to thrive. There are three limiting factors in British Columbia;
Where is the best agricultural land in Canada?
Saskatchewan is home to the greatest amount of agricultural land in Canada.
Principles for buying agricultural land
Guidelines for agricultural land use planning legislation framework provides context and barriers to what local governments must and should do to protect their agricultural land.
Good reasons to protect agricultural land in Canada
1. Food Security and Local Food Supply – Protection of agricultural land helps to ensure a steady supply of locally grown produce. People choose local to get fresh produce and support the local agricultural economy. Worldwide, 75% of the food we eat is commercially prepared using oil.
Changes in agricultural land types in Canada
The agricultural census divides farmland into crops, summer fallow, pastures, and other lands. Cropland includes field crops, vegetables, fruits, nursery crops, and sod. Tame and Seeded Pasture is land used by farmers to graze animals that have been improved in some way (i.e., not wild pasture).
Overview
Major agricultural products
Various factors affect the socio-economic characteristics of Canadian agriculture. The 2006 Census of Agriculture listed seven: Quantity and type of farms; Biogeography: crop and land use areas; land management practices; Quantity of livestock and poultry; Agricultural engineering: Farm machinery and equipment; Farm capital; Farm operating expenses and receipts; Farm-related injuries.
Canadian agricultural government departments
The Department of Agriculture set out in the British North America Act of 1867 (BNA) states each province may have jurisdiction over agricultural concerns, as well as the Dominion Government may also make law in regard to agriculture. Newfoundland agricultural affairs were dealt with by the Agricultural Division of the Department of Natural Resources at Confederation.
The BNA states that the federal Government has sole authority in coastal and inland fishery matters. Provinces …
Agricultural economy
Canadian farms, fisheries and ranches produce a wide variety of crops, livestock, food, feed, fibre, fuel and other goods by the systematic raising of plants and animals which are dependent upon the geography of the province. In 2001 farms numbered only 246,923 at a size of 676 acres (2.74 km ) as the production of food and fibre for human or livestock sustenance has evolved into intensive and industrial practices. As of 2002, wheat constituted the largest crop area at 12.6%. Canadian farmers received a record $36.3 billion in 2001 from livestock, crop sal…
Trade
The marketing and economic movement of Canada’s various agriculture commodities has been a challenge. Domestic trade encompasses providing goods within Canada provincially and inter-provincial. Support agencies and services such as storage, railways, warehouses, stores, banking institutions all affect domestic trade. Trade of wheat from the Canada’s prairies was monitored by the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) prior to the privatization and sale of the CWB to foreign interests in 2015. Canada’s depression of 1882–1897 brought a low of 64¼ cent…
Agribusiness
Agribusiness are activities of food and fibre production and processing which are not part of the farm operation. This would include the production of farm equipment and fertilizers to aid farm production. Agribusiness also includes the firms that purchase the raw goods from the farm for further processing. The meat packing industry, flour mill, and canning industry would be included in the agribusiness sector processing farm products. A recent growth area in agribusiness is the advent of organized farmland investment funds operating on the model of dir…
Agricultural science
Agricultural science began developing new styles of farming and strains of wheat and crops so that farming could become a successful venture. Farming methods were developed at places such as Dominion Experimental Farm, Rosthern Experimental Station, and Bell Farm. From 1914 to 1922, the Better Farming Train travelled around rural of Saskatchewan areas educating pioneer farmers. The 1901 census showed 511,100 farms and the number of farms peaked in 1941 at a record 732,800 farms. The industrial revolution modernised the farming industry as me…
Production
Farming activities were very labour-intensive before the industrial revolution and the advent of tractors, combines, balers, etc. From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, a great percentage of the Canadian labour force was engaged in high labour, smaller farming practices. After mechanization, scientific advancement, improved marketing practices farms became more efficient, larger and less labour-intensive. The labour population was freed up and went to industry, government, transportation, trade and finance. Agriculture, stock raising and horti…
Primary Agriculture
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Primary agriculture is defined as work that is performed within the boundaries of a farm, nursery or greenhouse. Canadian primary agriculture is an economic driver highly diversified across the country: 1. 193,492 farms 2. farms cover 68.9 million hectares or 6.9% of Canada’s land area 3. concentrated across the Prairies, Quebec and Southern Ontari…
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Food and Beverage Processing
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Food and beverage processors transform raw food materials or substances into new products, which may be finished, so that they are ready to be used or consumed, or semi-finished, so that they become raw material to be used in further manufacturing. The food and beverage processing sector is the largest manufacturing sector in Canada in terms of both GDP and employment: 1. 18% of manufacturing GDP 2. 17.3% of manufacturing jobs Fo…
International Trade and Domestic Market
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The success of the Canadian agriculture sector depends heavily on our ability to export to other countries and Canada is one of the world’s largest food exporters. In 2020, Canada exported nearly $74 billion in agriculture and food products (including raw agricultural materials, fish and seafood, and processed foods). Canada is the fifth-largest exporter of agri-food and seafood in the world, exporting to over 200 countries in 2020Endnote 2. The Uni…
Sustainable Economic Growth
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Canada has some key advantages that can help make us a leader in food production and processing: 1. abundant land and water resources 2. access to international markets 3. strong research and development capacity 4. strong global reputation as a trusted supplier of safe, top-quality food 5. strong stewards of the land Agriculture and agri-food is one of the sectors with the highest economic growth potential in Canada. Canada’s key advanta…