Canadian farmers received a record $28.3 billion last year in farm cash receipts, Statistics Canada has reported.
The big gains came in wheat, barley, corn and hogs with receipts from hog sales showing the greatest jump – up 31 percent to $2.95 billion.
Wheat receipts were up 24 percent on the year to $3.48 billion, although the federal agency noted they were falling by year end.
Meanwhile, program payments from governments and other programs continue to be less important in the overall farm income picture.
Last year, total program payments fell 23 percent to $885 million.
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StatCan stands by its model-based crop forecast
Statistics Canada’s model-based production estimates are under scrutiny, but agency says it is confident in the results.
Statistics Canada also reported the cost of farming increased last year by three percent, although the actual increase in the cost of most inputs was much higher.
The index for crop production inputs increased seven percent. For animal production, costs on average rose eight percent.
The overall input price index rose three percent because a 16 percent decrease in interest costs helped offset higher input prices.
Admendments to Indian Act
Indian affairs minister Ron Irwin said last week his decision to end federal control over what agricultural products can be sold from Indian reserves answers a 35-year-old native demand for more independence.
Among amendments to the Indian Act which are making their way through Parliament is an end to the requirement that the local Indian agent, in the name of the government, must approve sale of farm products produced on reserves.
“The repeal of the section requiring a permit for prairie First Nations to sell their produce go back as far as 1961,” Irwin told the Commons Indian affairs committee.
Goals set for Asian trade mission
This week, Goodale leads a trade mission to Asia and he is building some high expectations into it.
In the Commons, he said the goal is to make sure Canada gets “our share of the trade action” in the fast-growing Asian economy.
“In 1996, we set an all-time record of $18.8 billion worth of export sales in agrifood and this mission will make that total go higher,” he said.
