The 1990s were a time of study and crisis for the Canadian Prairies. The aftermath of the previous decade’s recession, low commodity prices, drought and skyrocketing interest rates had ruined many farmers and those still hanging on were coping with stress and uncertainty. The new millennia brought many questions about how computerized world systems would […] Read more
Tag Archives census of agriculture
Disconnect grows between hard numbers, soft policy in U.S.
Like much of the news anymore, the initial numbers from the 2022 Census of Agriculture were accurately reported, quickly downplayed or even worse, ignored, by most Big Ag groups, and then just pushed aside by the rush of the next day’s news. That’s a mistake because the numbers, released Feb. 13 by the U.S. Department […] Read more
Focus on productivity has high cost: Vilsack
U.S. agriculture secretary says the drive to increase production has taken a heavy toll on the country’s rural communities
SASKATOON — The pendulum has swung too far in favour of production agriculture, says the U.S. agriculture secretary. Tom Vilsack said the landscape of U.S. agriculture forever changed in the 1970s when the federal government decided it no longer wanted to manage supply and instead let the market dictate what would happen. Related stories: Grain […] Read more
Connecting the numbers
The 2021 Census of Agriculture from Statistics Canada show the Prairies leading the way in agricultural production and technology. Grain production and technology use continued to rise, while livestock producers are taking a financial hit. The rate of decline in the number of farms on the Prairies has slowed compared to previous census reports and […] Read more
Ag census reveals sharp increase in hog numbers
The national sheep flock has shrunk since the previous census, but the goat, bison and elk sectors have seen increases
Canada’s cattle inventories may face a 20-year downward trend but that’s not the case in other livestock categories, according to data from the Statistics Canada 2021 agricultural census. Hogs are one of livestock’s bright spots with a 600,000 head increase since 2001 to more than 14.5 million being reported in the latest census data. Cam […] Read more
Putting a face on agriculture
Farms are getting larger, farmers are getting older and the value of farm capital continues to climb. The first tranche of data from the 2021 agricultural census released last week shows the continuing trend toward a more consolidated industry. The total number of farms dropped by 1.9 percent to 189,874; that’s the smallest decline in […] Read more
Farming by the numbers
Related story: Putting a face on agriculture
Ag census: farm value takes big jump
The value of total farm capital is up — way up, according to the latest numbers from the 2021 Statistics Canada agricultural census. The market value of farms has risen since the last 2016 census by more than $509 billion to $690 billion. The latest numbers show total farm capital has more than doubled in […] Read more
Ag census: Off-farm work increases
Canadian farmers continue to work off the farm for financial security. The number of operators working off the farm grew by 3.8 percent, according to the 2021 agricultural census data, with 47.7 percent reporting they had off-farm jobs. There are 125,280 operators with off-farm jobs, compared to 120,665 five years ago. The proportion who work […] Read more
Ag census: More farmers use direct marketing
COVID-19 changed the way farmers marketed their products, according to the agricultural census data collected last year. Statistics Canada said farmers, mainly those who grow fruits and vegetables, moved increasingly to direct delivery to consumers rather than selling from stands. Half of the farms that reported direct sales used delivery. Overall, farms that use direct […] Read more
