YOGURT EGETABLES FRUIT reen MILK & ALTERNATIVES Choose lowerfat milk products more often. MEAT & ALTERNATIVE Choose leaner m and fish AGRI-FOOD FACTS 4th Edition Revised 2008
ALL ABOUT FOOD A G R I - F O O D F A C T S If you ate today, thank a farmer and many other people mechanics, scientists, truck drivers, food processors, retailers and advertisers... to mention just a few. The production of food involves much more than farming. It is a complex system which is connected with many other sectors of the economy. All About Food: Agri-Food Facts captures many of the interesting, surprising and useful facts about this important system. The agri-food system touches everyone's life on a daily basis. Let us introduce you to part of your world through the food you eat. Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. and the provincial/territorial Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) organizations across Canada would like to thank FARM CREDIT CANADA for funding the fourth edition of All About Food: Agri-Food Facts. Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. L'Éducation agro-alimentaire de l'ontario Territorial Farmers Association New Brunswick 4-H Council Limited Yukon Agricultural Association Statistical information contained in this document was extracted from the 2006 Canadian Census of Agriculture; Canadian Agriculture at a Glance; and previous editions of ALL ABOUT FOOD: Agri-Food Facts. Additional copies of All About Food: Agri-Food Facts can be obtained from the Agriculture in the Classroom organizations as noted above, or visit the national AITC website www.aitc.ca. Egalement disponible en français. 2008 Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce activities and information from this document for classroom use only. Reproduction for purposes other than classroom use, in any format, requires written permission from Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. 8560 Tremaine Road, Box 460, Milton, ON L9T 4Z1 (905) 878-1510 website - www.oafe.org e-mail - info@oafe.org or visit the national AITC website: www.aitc.ca All About Food (Fourth Edition) Research and Writing - Jane Witte, Educational Consultant, OAFE Editors - Jan Robertson, Adrienne Robertson, OAFE Layout /Graphics - Lynn Chudleigh Printing - Print Craft
What s Inside AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM...................................1 Gross Domestic Product People employed in agriculture Farmers are producing more food ES T MILK & MEAT & WHAT CANADIANS EAT.................................3 Annual consumption FOOD COSTS....................................... 4 Food is affordable in Canada Food Freedom Day HEALTHY EATING.....................................7 Eating Well with Canada s Food Guide First Nations, Inuit and Métis Where s the fat? TODAY S FARMS.................................... 10 Types of family farms in Canada Non-family farms FOOD SAFETY.......................................11 Food safety is in your hands DISTINCTLY CANADIAN................................13 FOOD PRODUCTION..................................15 Making bread What it takes to grow a hectare of wheat Canada s changing farms Farm size Specialty crops Where in Canada? THE LAND AND ENVIRONMENT......................... 19 Environmental farm practices Applications to land Greenhouse production PROVINCIAL OVERVIEW.............................. 23 Canadian Agriculture from Sea to Sea TRADE IN CANADA..................................26 Top Canadian agri-food exports Canada s top customers We buy food from around the world
The agri-food system Many Canadians are involved in agriculture and the agri-food industry. According to the 2006 census, there were 17,146,135 people employed in Canada. Of those people, 384,810 worked on farms, with another 13,200 working at jobs that supported farms. Another 250,685 people were employed in the manufacturing of food. Almost 650,000 Canadians reported working in agriculture and food production. Gross Domestic Product Measured in $ millions All industries $1,231,977 2008 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting $26,723 Crop production $14,930 Animal production $4,898 PRODUCTION Producing crops & raising livestock 384,810 people employed in 2006 $42.2 billion Distribution of people employed in the agri-food industry, 2006 B.C. 40,105 ALTA. 66,685 SASK. 57,355 MAN. 33,185 P.E.I. 4,525 N.L. 1,840 ONT. 97,565 QUE. 66,635 N.B. 7,125 N.S. 7,670 1
Farmers are producing more food Farmers are able to produce more food as a result of advancements in research and technology. Improved animal care, housing, nutrition and breeding have all contributed to healthier, more productive animals. 2006 1960 4,456 L of milk per cow 193 eggs per chicken 1975 5,361 L of milk per cow 213 eggs per chicken 1990 7,207 L of milk per cow 270 eggs per chicken 1998 8,467 L of milk per cow 272 eggs per chicken 300 eggs per chicken 9,419 L of milk per cow Research and technology have also increased crop yields. Plant breeders have developed new, more productive varieties of crops. Farmers are able to provide the necessary nutrients for the crops, and to control pests and weeds. Innovations in farm machinery, such as planters and harvesters, have also led to greater productivity. 1990 1960 1,205 kilograms of wheat per hectare 16,400 kilograms of potatoes per hectare 1975 1,807 kilograms of wheat per hectare 21,000 kilograms of potatoes per hectare 2,100 kilograms of wheat per hectare 25,120 kilograms of potatoes per hectare 1998 2,300 kilograms of wheat per hectare 27,730 kilograms of potatoes per hectare 2006 2,564 kilograms of wheat per hectare 31,345 kilograms of potatoes per hectare 12
What Canadians Eat Canadians have changed their eating habits since 2003. In 2007 we consumed more vegetables and fruits, lower fat milk, more cheeses and yogurt, less wheat and more rice and less energy overall. 74.02 kg Flour & Cereal Products 8.05 L Ice Cream 23.54 kg Poultry 65.07 kg Potatoes 7.4 kg Rice 83.21 L Milk 40 kg Red Meat 14.53 dozen Eggs 7.15 L Yogurt On average, a Canadian consumes these amounts of food every year. 9.47 kg Fish 28.10 L Juice 12.38 kg Cheese 103.61 L Coffee 137.7 kg Fruit 6.47 kg Butter/Margarine 69.57 L Tea 178.21 kg Vegetables Food Statistics 2007 catalogue 21-020 3
Food Expenditures Canadians are lucky to enjoy an inexpensive food supply. In the 2001 census, Canadians spent an average of $123.76 per week on food. The 2006 census showed a modest increase to $135.50. The province with the lowest weekly spending average was New Brunswick, with an average of $116.96 per week, while Alberta had the highest with $143.25 per week. Total expenditures $67,736 Yearly Personal insurance payments and pension contributions $3,832 Gifts of money and contributions $1,505 Personal income taxes $13,634 Food $7,046 Miscellaneous $1,087 Games of chance (net amount) $258 Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages $1,475 Education$1,157 Reading materials and other printed matter $264 Recreation $3,975 Shelter $12,986 Household operation $3,251 Personal care $1,158 Health care $1,867 Transportation $9,240 Clothing $2,870 Household furnishings and equipment $2,131 Source: Average Household Expenditures, 2006 census 4
Food is very affordable in Canada 50 40 60 15% United States 40% of Percentage 10.3% Canada consumer 10% United Kingdom 64% spending on food 2006 18% Italy 21% 27% 25% Australia Percentage of 30 Japan 20 spending 10 Jordan Spain 0 Nigeria 5
Food Freedom Day Food Freedom Day is the calendar day upon which the average Canadian has earned enough money to pay for his or her food for the entire year. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture tracks this spending. Spending on food in Canada has declined steadily since the 1960s when it was 19% of Canadians income. In 2006, Canadians spent only 10% of their income on food. Canada February 3 Canadian grocery bills rose 0.06 percent between 2007 and 2008, while in other countries it was more significant. Increase in food costs Canada rose 0.06 % Europe rose 4.3 % United Kingdom rose 5.1 % United States rose 5.4 % 6
Eating Well with Canada s Food Guide Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide is designed to help all Canadians look, feel and perform at their best. It does this by recommending a way of selecting foods to meet the body's needs for energy and nutrients. The amount of food each person needs depends on his or her age, body size, gender, activity level and, for women, whether pregnant or breast feeding. That's why the Food Guide gives a lower and higher number of servings for each food group. Eating Well with Canada s Food Guide was released by Health Canada in 2007 and contains some new features. It now provides recommendations for servings based on age and gender. There is a wider variety of foods suggested which is more representative of our diverse Canadian population. The guide has been translated into several different languages. A First Nations, Inuit and Métis Food Guide is also available for download. (Note the updated Food Guide can be found on the Health Canada website at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/foodguide) GRAIN PRODUCTS Choose whole grain and enriched products more often. VEGETABLES & FRUIT Choose dark green and orange vegetables and orange fruit more often. MILK & ALTERNATIVES Choose lowerfat milk products more often. YOGURT MEAT & ALTERNATIVES Choose leaner meats, poultry and fish, as well as dried peas, beans and lentils more often. Vegetables and Fruit (servings per day) Children Teens Adults 2-3 4-8 9-13 14-18 19-50 51+ Girls and Boys Females Males Females Males Females Males 4 5 6 7 8 7-8 8-10 7 7 125 ml fresh, frozen or canned vegetables or fruit 125 ml juice Milk and Alternatives (servings per day) Children Teens Adults 2-3 4-8 9-13 14-18 19-50 51+ Girls and Boys Females Males Females Males Females Males 2 2 3-4 3-4 3-4 2 2 3 3 Grain Products (servings per day) Children Teens Adults 2-3 4-8 9-13 14-18 19-50 51+ Girls and Boys Females Males Females Males Females Males 3 4 6 6 7 6-7 8 6 7 1 slice (35g) 30 g cold cereal Meat and Alternatives (servings per day) Children Teens Adults 2-3 4-8 9-13 14-18 19-50 51+ Girls and Boys Females Males Females Males Females Males 1 1 1-2 2 3 2 3 2 3 1 glass - 250 ml 50 g cheese 75 g meat, poultry or fish 2 eggs 7
Eating Well with Canada s Food Guide First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health Canada introduced a new food guide tailored to meet the needs and include the traditional foods of Canada's aboriginal peoples. The foods listed in each of the four food groups represent traditional foods. Since many first nations people do not consume milk products, the guide also includes information on how to get the nutrients from the milk and alternatives group if you do not consume milk products. Like the original food guide The First Nations, Inuit and Métis guide includes information for specific groups such as women of childbearing age and women and men over the age of 50. Vegetables and Fruit (servings per day) Children 2-3 Children 5-6 Teens and Adults years old years old Females Males 4 5-6 7-8 7-10 Grain Products (servings per day) Children 2-3 Children 5-6 Teens and Adults years old years old Females Males 3 4-6 6-7 7-8 125 ml other vegetables 125 ml Dark green and orange vegetables 35 g Bread (1 slice) 125 ml cooked rice brown, white, wild Milk and Alternatives (servings per day) Children 2-3 Children 5-6 Teens and Adults years old years old Females Males 2 2-4 Teens 3-4 Teens 3-4 Adults (19-50) Adults (19-50) 2 2 Adults (51+) Adults (51+) 3 3 Meat and Alternatives (servings per day) Children 2-3 Children 5-6 Teens and Adults years old years old Females Males 1 1-2 2 3 75 g cooked Fish and shellfish 75 g cooked Traditional meats and wild game 8
Where s the Fat? Sources of fat in the average Canadian diet A healthy diet includes a balanced amount of fat. Fat adds taste and enjoyment to food, and is a major source of energy and nutrients. Fat is important to the growth and development of children. Milk Products 15% Grain Products 13% Baked Goods 10.8% Fruit & Vegetables 2% Other Milk Products 11.6% Cereals 1.8% Meat & Alternatives 24% Fresh Meat 7.1% Processed Meat 9.3% Poultry & Fish 2.5% Meat Alternatives 6.8% High fat diets have been associated with a higher incidence of heart disease, obesity and some types of cancer. Choosing the right amount and types of oils and fats can lower your risk of developing certain diseases such as heart disease. For good health, include a small amount of unsaturated fat and limit the amount of saturated and trans fat in your day. Fluid Milk 5.5% Other - 11% e.g., chocolate, potato chips Other Foods 42% Fats & Oils 31.7% Comparing Canadian Consumption with American Consumption Measured per person Even though the United States is our closest neighbour, the way in which we eat is different than in the United States. Consider the differences in consumption shown in the following chart. 35.000 30.000 25.000 Canada United States 20.000 15.000 10.000 5.000 0 Beverages & tobacco Breads & cereals Dairy Fats & oils Fish Fruits & vegetables Meat Other foods Total food expenditure shares are percent of total expenditure, food subgroup shares are percent of total food expenditure. Source: http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/internationalfooddemand/rerun.asp?runid=282260821&rstyle=1&view=fbs&filetype=none&country=canada&commodity=all%20commodities. 9
Today s Farms Types of Family Farms RETIREMENT: Farms managed by an operator 60 years of age or older receiving pension income with no children involved in the day-to-day operation of the farm. LIFESTYLE: Small farms (revenues of $10,000 to $49,999) managed by families with off-farm income greater than $50,000. This category excludes the retirement category. BUSINESS FOCUSED: Farms that are managed by a family or by a group of owners and often with the help of paid employees. LOW-INCOME: Small and medium farms ($10,000 to $99,000) managed by families with total income less than $28,000. This category excludes the retirement and lifestyle categories. All other family farms are separated further, based on total revenues. These groups exclude family farms in the retirement, lifestyle and low-income categories. SMALL BUSINESS-FOCUSED: Revenues of $10,000 to $49,999 MEDIUM BUSINESS-FOCUSED: Revenues of $50,000 to $99,999 LARGE BUSINESS-FOCUSED: Revenues of $100,000 to $499,999 VERY LARGE BUSINESS-FOCUSED: Revenues of $500,000 and over. Other Types of Farms Hutterite colonies and other communal operations as well as non-family corporations and co-operatives. Proportion of farms and gross farm receipts by receipts class, Canada 2006 Percent of total 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Less than $25,000 $25,000 to $99,999 $100,000 to $249,999 Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Agriculture $250,000 to $999,999 Farms Receipts $1 million and over Proportion of farms with receipts $250,000 to $999,999 and $1 million and over, by farm type, Canada 2006 percentage of farms 60 50 40 30 $250,000 to $999,999 $1 million and over There are 229,373 census farms in Canada. About 175,810 families live on and operate farms in Canada. 20 10 0 Dairy Beef Hog and Pig Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Agriculture Poultry and egg All other animal Field crops Fruit and Greenhouse All vegetables nursery farms and floriculture A "census farm" is an agricultural operation that produced at least one of the following for sale - crops, livestock, poultry, animal products (e.g., eggs), or other agricultural products (e.g., greenhouse vegetables, mushrooms, sod, maple syrup, Christmas trees). 10
Food Safety Farm Animals have clean water, nutritious food and a healthy environment Farm chemicals are applied in a safe manner The government approves and monitors the use of farm chemicals and livestock medications Imports The government inspects imported food Ingredient labels are checked by government officials If a shipment does not meet Canada's standards, it is either destroyed or sent back Retail Consumer Clean - wash hands and surfaces often Chill - refrigerate promptly Cook to proper temperatures Separate - don't cross contaminate Grocers and restaurant operators purchase high quality products. Food is properly stored. Stores are kept clean The government and sanitized checks packaging & ingredient listings Government officials inspect grocery stores & restaurants 11
FOOD SAFETY IS IN YOUR HANDS Reduce the risk of foodborne illness by following these four simple steps: Processing Plant Staff are trained in health and safety issues The plants are clean and sanitized Quality ingredients are purchased Government officials inspect processing plants to ensure food quality and safety Additional information on food safety at home can be found at: www.canfightbac.org 1 2 3 4 CLEAN Wash hands, utensils and surfaces with hot soapy water before, during and after preparing foods. Sanitize countertops, cutting boards and utensils with a mild bleach and water solution. Wash all produce thoroughly before eating or cooking. SEPARATE Keep raw meats and poultry away from other foods during storage and preparation. Keep separate cutting boards for raw meats and vegetables. Always keep foods covered. COOK Cook food thoroughly -- cooking times and temperatures vary for different meats and poultry. Prepare foods quickly and serve immediately so foods don't linger at room temperatures where bacteria can grow. CHILL Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared food and leftovers within two hours. Make sure the refrigerator is set at a temperature of 4 C (40 F), and keep the freezer at -18 C (0 F). Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency 12
SPECIAL EDITION ISSUE: EIEIO CERTIFIED ORGANIC The number of farms reporting certified organic production methods in 2006 was 3,555, up from 2,230 in 2001. The largest area of certified organic production is in field crops and hay, with the most farms reporting in Saskatchewan. A large number of farms, 11,937, reported being organic but not certified, with another 640 farms reporting that they were in transition to becoming certified. Organic production by product type, 2006 Farms 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 Hay or field crops Fruit, vegetables or greenhouse products Animals or animal products Certified organic Organic but not certified Maple products A FARMER S EDUCATION Our world is very complex. We know that we need to make sustainable decisions that will ensure both economic and environmental sustainability. As a result of the complexity of these issues, education is increasingly important to farmers. More farmers are getting a university degree than before. In 2006, 2% more farmers had a university degree than in the 2001 census. Consistent with the results of the 2001 census, female farmers are more likely to have post secondary education. Other THE FARMER The Canadian farmer is changing. Some of the most noted changes in the 2006 census of Agriculture include the age of the farmer. Farmers are getting older as a group, and there are fewer young people farming. Percentage of operators 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 OFF-FARM INCOME Under 35 years 35 to 54 years 55 years and over 1991 1996 2001 2006 Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture, 1991 to 2006 More farmers are reporting off-farm income in 2006 than in 2001. Almost half of all farmers, 48.4%, reported off-farm income in 2006, compared to 44.5% in 2001. Both men and women are working off the farm in significant numbers. However, in 2006, for the first time, the proportion of female operators who reported off-farm work reached one half (50.4%). In comparison, 47.6% of men had off-farm work. Fewer farmers were working full time on the farm. In 2006, about 46.7% of farmers reported working more than 40 hours a week on their farm operations, down from 47.7% five years earlier. In contrast, more than one fifth (20.2%) of farmers reported working more than 40 hours a week off the farm. This was an increase from 17.6% in 2001. From Quebec and westward, the proportion of farm operators working off the farm increased in every province. The biggest increases by far were in Alberta and Saskatchewan, which could be due to increased opportunities in the oil industry and Alberta's booming economy. 13
SPECIAL EDITION ISSUE: EIEIO BIOPRODUCTS Bioproducts are non-food products developed from biomass - biological or renewable material which can come from agricultural, food, forestry, marine and industrial or municipal sources. Most of us are familiar with ethanol made from corn or wheat, or diesel made from soy. There are many other bioproducts including products such as clothing made from hemp, decking from plant fibre and plastic water bottles made from corn instead of oil. In Canada, more firms use agricultural biomass than any other source. Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia have the most bioproduct firms, accounting for over 70% of the firms reporting. The majority of the firms are small, 67%, while medium and large firms accounted for the remaining 33% of the firms. The smaller and medium-sized firms are more likely to use agricultural biomass than the larger firms who tend to use forestry biomass. Biofuel and bioenergy is a growth area of bioproducts. Energy derived from renewable products such as corn and soy is increasing. Other sources of bioenergy include the capture of heat from the composting of manure and other waste matter, as well as electricity from biogenerators. In response to concerns about traditional chemical pesticides there are several bio-pesticides and bio-herbicides under development. These products may change the way farmers control pests. FARMS ONLINE In 2006, almost 47% of all farms in Canada reported use of computers to help them manage some aspect of the farm. Of all farms using computers over 75% reported Internet use. Computers are used for record keeping, accounting, up-to-date weather reports and as a way to find information using the Internet. Farms with higher revenues reported more computer use than those with smaller revenues. PASS THE PANCAKES Maple syrup production is changing in Canada: historically, most of our maple syrup was produced in Quebec. Fewer taps were found in Ontario and the Maritimes, with very little west of Manitoba. However the 2006 census shows maple producers in every province except Newfoundland and Labrador, with Alberta and British Columbia reporting maple taps for the first time. British Columbia producers are tapping big-leaf maples on Vancouver Island, while Prairie producers make syrup from Manitoba maples. Quebec-with 34.7 million taps-still has 91.1% of the Canadian total. FARM INPUT PRICE INDEX We often hear of the Consumer Price Index, CPI, which looks at the costs of consumer goods. The Farm Input Price Index, FIPI, represents the costs that farmers incur to produce their crops. Farm input costs went up significantly between 2000 and 2006. Fertilizer and fuel went up about 35%, pesticides went up 19%, while the cost of renting land increased 14%. The CPI for this same time period was 12.2%. The following chart shows the different commodities and their price indexes from 2000-2006. price index 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Grains Oilseeds Cattle Dairy 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Source: Statistics Canada, farm product price index, 2000 to 2006 14
Making Bread GRINDING FARM Canadian farmers produce billions of dollars of wheat each year. It is shipped to flour mills around the world. BAKERY FLOUR MILL Wheat flour is made by grinding wheat seeds into a fine powder called whole wheat flour. Some of the whole wheat flour is sifted to remove the outer husks (bran) of the seed. The result is white flour. WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR SIFTING WHITE FLOUR BRAN 4 The dough is then put into an oven to bake. 3 The dough is given time to rise. 2 Next the dough is shaped. 1 At the bakery, water, salt and yeast are mixed with the flour to make the dough. 5 The bread is packaged. WHEAT BREAD WHEAT BREAD STORE Flour from a variety of grains is used throughout the world to make many different types of bread. BREAD 15
What it takes to grow a hectare of wheat Information for spring wheat grown in Saskatchewan Capital and Other Expenses $349.75 Property Taxes, Insurance, Licences, Machinery, Land, Buildings (repairs) and including depreciation costs on the machinery and buildings Variable Expenses $225.65 Seed.......................... $31.32 Fertilizer........................ $57.55 Chemicals (for weeds and pests)...... $41.62 Machinery operation (fuel, repairs)..... $50.04 Labour......................... $18.52 Utilities, interest.................. $26.60 Total expenses........... $575.40 Revenue per hectare Estimated yield per hectare 2.27 tonnes Estimated market price per tonne $229.69 Gross revenue/hectare... $521.40 (estimate) *This is the estimate for the year 2008. 2,300 kg of wheat per hectare* 4,980 loaves of bread can be made from the wheat produced on a hectare. Source: Statistics Branch, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, 2008 16
Canada s Changing Farms Changing Farm Population 1931 3,300,000 10,400,000 The farm population has declined from 3.3 million in 1931 to about 684,000 today. 1941 3,200,000 11,500,000 500,000 Farm Population 1951 2,900,000 14,000,000 Canada's Population 1961 2,100,000 18,200,000 1971 1981 1991 1996 2001 2006 1,500,000 1,100,000 860,000 850,000 727,000 684,260 21,600,000 24,300,000 27,200,000 28,800,000 29,900,000 31,600,000 Increasing Farm Size 1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 1996 2001 2006 50 ha 65 ha 80 ha 91 ha 96 ha 113 ha 145 ha The size of an average Canadian farm has risen from 50 hectares in 1901 to 295 hectares today. The average farm size varies from province to province. 188 ha 207 ha 242 ha 246 ha 273 ha 295 ha 17
Food Production When people think of crops in Canada, often the first thing that comes to mind is Prairie Wheat. However, the types of crops that we are growing are changing: there is an increasing number of specialty crops in Canada. Specialty crops are a diverse grouping of crops including: pulses - chickpeas, dry beans, dry peas, lentils buckwheat canary seed forages ginseng herbs and medicinal plants spices industrial hemp mustard seed safflower seed seeds for sowing sugar beets wild rice tobacco The production of pulses in Canada has seen a large increase. Between 2003 and 2007 the cash receipts for lentils increased 51%, dry peas increased by almost 47%, and chickpeas increased 25%. These and other specialty crops are becoming more important to Canadian agriculture. Where in Canada? Ginseng Forage Herbs & Spices Beans Canary Seed Forage Herbs & Spices Industrial Hemp Mustard Seed Peas Beans Canary Seed Forage Herbs & Spices Lentils Mustard Seed Peas Wild Rice Industrial Hemp Wild Rice Beans Buckwheat Forage Lentils Peas Sunflower Seed Herbs & Spices Industrial Hemp Beans Forage Ginseng Tobacco Ginseng Beans Tobacco Forage Wild Rice Industrial Hemp Forage Beans 118
The Land and Environment The map below identifies the land that is primarily used for agricultural purposes in Canada as well as the non-agricultural land. As you can see, even though Canada is a large country, much of our land does not support agricultural practices. It is interesting to observe on the map the location of our large urban centres and note they are in the middle of the agricultural land. Historically, urban areas developed around waterways for transportation and agricultural land for food. With expanding urban communities, there is a concern about the impact of urban sprawl on the availability of land for agricultural use. Source: The agricultural ecumene boundary layer Statistics Canada 10 Catalogue no. 92-175-G 2006 19
Environmental Farm Practices Farmers have considered themselves to be stewards of the earth for a long time. There are many farm practices which are aimed at protecting the environment while at the same time allowing the farm to be profitable. Farmers are developing Environmental Farm Plans in order to ensure that care for the environment is a daily consideration on every farm. They are using some old and some new practices in order to farm in a more environmentally sensitive way. Some examples of environmental farm practices are: Use of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems to more accurately monitor nutrient levels and crop yields in order to make more effective decisions in terms of pest management and fertilizer use Mulch is used in fields to reduce the growth of crop damaging weeds as well as to reduce soil erosion Farmers are switching to no-till techniques from furrow and conventional tillage. No-till is a technique where the seeding equipment slices a thin slit in the earth and deposits the seed without disturbing the rest of the soil. In 2001 this accounted for 29.7% of area tilled. This increased to 46.4% in the 2006 census Management practices to protect soil from erosion; machines that can do multiple tasks in a single pass reduce the need to plough and saves the soil from erosion and compaction as well as the burning of fossil fuels to run the machines Water conservation is practiced in many ways, including special holding tanks for manure in order to reduce run-off into waterways. Farmers also fence waterways off from farm animals Research surrounding animal nutrition is being conducted with a goal to reduce harmful nutrients produced in manure as well as the amount of ammonia released from manure, thus reducing the smell 120
Applications to Land Canadian farmers are working to reduce the use of pesticides, but at the same time, they want to produce viable and profitable crops. The following chart shows the number of farms reporting pesticide use in 1995 and 2000. The total reduction in pesticide use is 9.3%. 150,000 125,000 100,000 75,000 50,000 1995 2000 2006 Percentage of total farms reporting use of use of commercial fertilizer 58.7 54.3 51.3 1996 2001 2006 25,000 0 Herbicides Other Applications to Land Canadian farmers are very concerned with replacing only the nutrients needed to grow the crop they are planting. New technology and increased sophistication in soil testing has allowed farmers to use precision agriculture in order to return only the amount of nutrients needed to grow a specific crop. As a result the amount of commercial fertilizer used is decreasing. Insecticides Fungicides Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Protecting Crops from Pests Canadian farmers take crop protection very seriously. Farmers use a variety of ways to control pests on farms. Many farmers use a system called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This system combines a number of different strategies to control pests and protect crops. Farmers monitor pests and determine the best method to deal with them, taking into consideration the impact of pest management on the crop and the surrounding environment. Some examples of pest management practices are: Pest Monitoring Fruit and vegetable growers monitor pest activity in their crops. They determine a threshold level of pest activity so once the number of pests goes beyond the threshold, the crop is threatened. At this point, growers can choose from a variety of methods to reduce pests. Natural Predators Pests can be controlled using natural predators; these are the natural enemies of the pest. These predators either eat or fend off the harmful pest. Sterile Insect Releases and Pheromone Traps By interfering with mating, farmers can reduce the pest population and in turn, the damage to their crops. Traps Traps can be used to catch insects that tend to fly at a certain height. Cultural Controls Crop rotation The practice of growing different crops in the same field from year-to-year. This practice reduces weeds, insects and disease, and also replenishes the nutrients in the soil. The waste matter from the previous crop feeds the next crop and pests that may have damaged one crop pose less of a threat to a different product. Cover crops Provide ground cover and enrich the soil and crowd out weeds, thus protecting the primary crop. 21
Agricultural Production Horticulture 7% (e.g., fruits, vegetables, shrubs) Eggs & Poultry 2% Dairy 7% Other 20% Red Meats 30% Grains & Oilseeds (e.g., wheat, canola) 34% Changing Greenhouse Production Greenhouse production is changing. Historically we used greenhouses to grow flowers and nursery products. Now, because of consumer demand for fresh local produce year round, we are growing more vegetables under glass. In the 2006 census, an increase in the production of cucumbers and peppers and a decline in the production of tomatoes is noted. Ontario has become the leader in greenhouse vegetable production at 64%, followed by British Columbia at 24%. Vegetables taking a growing share of sales $ millions 1,600 1,200 800 400 0 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2007 Vegetables Flowers Source: Statistics Canada, Greenhouse Survey 122
Provincial Overview B.C. ALTA. SASK. MAN. Number of census farms 19,844 49,431 44,329 19,054 Average farm size (hectares) 143 427 587 405 Total area of farms (hectares) 2,835,458 21,095,393 26,002,605 7,718,570 Total farm population 61,370 165,650 123,385 68,130 Farm population as a percent of total population 1.5 4.7 11.5 5.5 Total value of farm capital ($) 27,651,175 78,869,105 37,217,070 18,484,734 Total farm cash receipts, 2006 ($ thousands) 2,288,617 7,811,201 6,626,761 3,686,512 Percentage of livestock farms 55 60.3 34.9 50.9 Percentage of farms growing crops 13.2 36.1 63.1 44.3 Percentage of farms growing fruits and vegetables 20.7 1.4 0.7 2 Percentage of farms considered other, specialty or combination 11 2.1 1.2 2.8 GLOSSARY CENSUS FARM: A farm, ranch or other agricultural holding that produces agricultural products intended for sale. FARM CASH RECEIPTS: All receipts from all agricultural products, plus funds from program payments. FARM CAPITAL VALUE: An estimate of the market value of the land and buildings, machinery and equipment, and livestock and poultry on a census farm. 123
ONT. QUE. N.B N.S. P.E.I. NFLD. CANADA 57,211 30,675 2,776 3,795 1,700 558 229,373 94 113 142 106 148 65 295 5,386,453 3,462,935 395,228 403,044 250,859 36,195 67,586,739 186,085 96,680 8,145 10,475 6,060 1,155 727,130 1.5 1.2 1 1.1 3.9 0.2 2.2 67,647,414 27,005,871 1,867,613 1,916,771 1,725,214 270,976 262,655,942 8,853,344 6,274,096 458,967 473,458 380,394 96,217 36,909,923,000 49.7 54.6 43.9 61.7 52.1 36.9 50.9 37 31.8 19.7 10.9 13.5 14.4 38.9 7.3 9.1 25.8 29.2 32.5 29.6 6.6 6 4.4 10 14.2 2.1 18.9 4.3 24
Canadian agriculture from sea to sea The data for each province indicates the total number of farm operators by farm type. Saskatchewan 59,185 Farms Quebec 45,470 Farms Alberta 71,660 Farms Manitoba 26,620 Farms P.E.I. 2,335 Farms Newfoundland 715 Farms Nova Scotia 5,095 Farms British Columbia 29,870 Farms Ontario 82,410 Farms New Brunswick 3,695 Farms Greenhouse & Nursery Poultry & Eggs Dairy Beef Cattle Hog Grain & Oilseed Fruit & Vegetables Potato Other Crops Other Animals Other Types 125
Trade in Canada May 2008 Special transactions trade Other consumer goods Automotive products Agricultural and fishing products Energy products Special transactions trade Other consumer goods Agricultural and fishing products Energy products Total Exports $42,106 ($ millions) Automotive products Total Imports $36,570 ($ millions) Forestry products Industrial goods and materials Machinery and equipment Forestry products Industrial goods and materials Machinery and equipment Top Canadian agri-food exports May 2008 (in $millions) Vegetables & Fruit 169 Wheat 751 Oilseed Meat 361 Livestock 202 Other Grains & Grain Products 403 301 26
Canadian farmers best customers Canada exported $3.7 billion worth of agriculture and fishing products in the month of May 2008. = $100 million Mexico $128.1 million European Union $179.4 million Other Countries = $1.10 billion Japan $375.2 million United States $1.8 billion We buy food from around the world Canadians enjoy a wide variety of foods from around the world. Some of these products cannot be grown in Canada. May 2008 = $100 million Animal Feeds $116 Sugar $118 Meat $163 Beverages $281 Coffee & Tea Cocoa & Chocolate $365 Vegetables & Fruits $608 27
Ontario Agri-Food Education (OAFE) would like to thank Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for its partnership in developing and distributing All About Food: Agri-Food Facts. Ontario Agri-Food Education acknowledges the American Farm Bureau Federation for its work in developing Farm Facts a booklet used as a prototype for developing All About Food: Agri-Food Facts. Thanks to the many people and organizations who committed their time and skills to the first edition of this booklet. Ontario Agri-Food Education, Inc., Barbara Johnston-Iafelice (lead writer) Robert Morrow (editor) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Claude Dagenais, Laurie Harris, Twyla Weimer, Rick Fiarchuk, Christine Moses, Tamantha Peters, Linda Robbins, American Farm Bureau Federation: Sue Schultz, Rick Bush Beef Information Centre: Kerry Wright Canadian Federation of Agriculture: Joyce Henry, Yves Leduc Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association: Erica Dennis National Agriculture Environment Committee: Sheila Forsyth Ontario Corn Producers' Association: Brenda Miller-Sanford, Ken Hough Ontario Farm Animal Council: Karen Howling Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: Susan Bennett, I.R. Roadhouse, Arlene Robertson Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency: Julie Scarlett Santé Quebec: Lise Bertrand Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food: Don Barber Saskatchewan Wheat Pool: Darwin Donison Saskatchewan Agriculture in the Classroom: Al Morhart Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Leanne Byers Statistics Canada: Rosemary Villani, Debbie Dupuis, John Cumming, Barry Rouliffe, Cynthia Heffernan, David Stubina graphics by Lynn Chudleigh Although initiated by Ontario Agri-Food Education, the production of the second edition of All About Food: Agri-Food Facts was a co-operative venture involving many people from across the country. We are indebted, in particular, to the cooperation exhibited by and efforts of: Laurie Harris and Christine Moses, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Al Morhart, Saskatchewan Agriculture in the Classroom Lindsay Babineau, British Columbia Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation Ruth Grant, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing Donna Youngdahl, Agriculture in the Classroom - Manitoba Dr. Rose Mary Garrett, Prince Edward Island Agriculture Education For more information about agriculture and food production in Canada, contact: Public Information Request Services Sir John Carling Building, Room 133 930 Carling Avenue Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C7 (613) 759-1000 / Fax: (613) 759-6726 e-mail : info@agr.gc.ca website : www.agr.gc.ca Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc., 8560 Tremaine Road, Box 460, Milton, On L9T 4Z1 (905) 878-1510 website - www.oafe.org e-mail - info@oafe.org
0046-1208-R-25000