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AGRI-FOOD FACTS

YOGURT

Choose leaner meats, poultry and fish as well as dried peas

VEGETABLES& FRUIT

hoose dark green nd orange egetables and

f it

MILK &ALTERNATIVESChoose lower-fat milk products more often.

MEAT &ALTERNATIVES

4th EditionRevised 2008

ALL ABOUT FOODA 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 afew. 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 toucheseveryone'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.

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.

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

Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc.

8560 Tremaine Road, Box 460, Milton, ON L9T 4Z1 • (905) 878-1510website - www.oafe.org e-mail - [email protected]

or visit the national AITC website: www.aitc.ca

Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc.L'Éducation agro-alimentaire de l'Ontario

New Brunswick4-H Council Limited

Territorial FarmersAssociation

Yukon Agricultural Association

A L L A B O U T F O O D A G R I - F O O D F A C T S

AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Gross Domestic ProductPeople employed in agricultureFarmers are producing more food

WHAT CANADIANS EAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Annual consumption

FOOD COSTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Food is affordable in CanadaFood Freedom Day

HEALTHY EATING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Eating Well with Canada’s Food GuideFirst Nations, Inuit and MétisWhere’s the fat?

TODAY’S FARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Types of family farms in CanadaNon-family farms

FOOD SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Food safety is in your hands

DISTINCTLY CANADIAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

FOOD PRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Making breadWhat it takes to grow a hectare of wheatCanada’s changing farmsFarm sizeSpecialty cropsWhere in Canada?

THE LAND AND ENVIRONMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Environmental farm practicesApplications to landGreenhouse production

PROVINCIAL OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Canadian Agriculture from Sea to Sea

TRADE IN CANADA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Top Canadian agri-food exportsCanada’s top customersWe buy food from around the world

What’s Inside

EST

MILK &MEAT &


1

The agri-food system

P R O D U C T I O N

Producing crops & raising livestock384,810 people employed in 2006

$42.2 billion

Many Canadians are involved in agriculture and the agri-food industry. According to the 2006 census, there were 17,146,135 peopleemployed in Canada. Of those people, 384,810 worked on farms, with another 13,200 working at jobs that supported farms. Another250,685 people were employed in the manufacturing of food. Almost 650,000 Canadians reported working in agriculture and food production.

All industries $1,231,977Gross Domestic Product Measured in $ millions

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting $26,723

Crop production $14,930

Animal production $4,898

Distribution of people employedin the agri-food industry, 2006

2008

QUE.66,635

ONT.97,565

MAN.33,185 N.L.

1,840

N.S.7,670N.B.

7,125

SASK.57,355

ALTA.66,685

Distribution of people employedin the agri-food industry, 2006Distribution of people employedin the agri-food industry, 2006

P.E.I.4,525

B.C.40,105


12

1960

1,205 kilogramsof wheat perhectare

16,400 kilogramsof potatoes perhectare

1975



1990



Farmers are producing more foodFarmers are able to produce more food as a result of advancements inresearch and technology. Improved animal care, housing, nutrition andbreeding have all contributed to healthier, more productive animals.

Research and technology have also increased cropyields. Plant breeders have developed new, moreproductive varieties of crops. Farmers are able toprovide the necessary nutrients for the crops, andto control pests and weeds. Innovations in farmmachinery, such as planters and harvesters, havealso led to greater productivity.

1960

4,456 L of milk per cow

193 eggs per chicken

1975


213 eggsper chicken

1990



1998



2006

9,419 Lof milk per cow

300 eggsper chicken

1998

2,300 kilogramsof wheat per hectare


2006


2,564 kilogramsof wheat per hectare


3

What Canadians Eat

On average,a Canadian consumes

these amounts of food every year.

83.21 L Milk

7.4 kg Rice

74.02 kg Flour & Cereal Products 8.05 L Ice Cream

12.38 kg Cheese

23.54 kg Poultry

40 kg Red Meat

178.21 kg Vegetables

137.7 kg Fruit

6.47 kg Butter/Margarine

7.15 L Yogurt

103.61 LCoffee

69.57 L Tea

9.47 kg Fish

28.10 L Juice

Canadians have changed their eating habits since 2003. In 2007 we consumed more vegetables and fruits, lower fat milk, more cheeses andyogurt, less wheat and more rice and less energy overall.

Food Statistics 2007 catalogue 21-020

14.53 dozen Eggs

65.07 kg Potatoes


4

Food ExpendituresCanadians 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 censusshowed a modest increase to $135.50. The province with the lowest weeklyspending average was New Brunswick, with an average of $116.96 per week,while Alberta had the highest with $143.25 per week.

Food $7,046

Shelter $12,986

Household operation $3,251

Household furnishings and equipment $2,131

Clothing $2,870Transportation $9,240Health care $1,867

Personal care $1,158

Recreation $3,975

Education$1,157

Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages $1,475

Games of chance (net amount) $258

Miscellaneous $1,087

Reading materials and other printed matter $264

Personal income taxes $13,634

Personal insurance payments and pension contributions $3,832

Gifts of money and contributions $1,505

Total expenditures $67,736 Yearly

Source: Average Household Expenditures, 2006 census


5

Food is very affordable in Canada

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Perce

ntage

of consumer spending on food 2006

United Kingdom

10%

Percentage of spending

UnitedStates

15%

Jordan

40%

Nigeria

64%

Spain

21%

Italy

18%

Japan

27%

Canada

10.3%

Australia

25%

February 3

Canada


6

Food Freedom DayFood 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.

Europerose 4.3 %

Canadarose 0.06 %

United Kingdomrose 5.1 %

United Statesrose 5.4 %

Canadian grocery bills rose 0.06 percent between 2007 and2008, while in other countries it was more significant.

Increase in food costs


7

Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide

YOGURT

Choose leaner meats, poultry and fish, as well as dried peas, beans and lentils more often.

Choose whole grain and enriched products more often.

GRAINPRODUCTS

VEGETABLES& FRUIT

Choose dark green and orange vegetables and orange fruit more often.

MILK &ALTERNATIVESChoose lower-fat milk products more often.

MEAT &ALTERNATIVES

Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide is designed to help allCanadians 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 orbreast 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 awider 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)

125 mL fresh, frozen orcanned vegetables or fruit

125 mL juice

75 g meat, poultry or fish 2 eggs

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

Milk and Alternatives (servings per day)



2 2 3-4 3-4 3-4 2 2 3 3

Grain Products (servings per day)



3 4 6 6 7 6-7 8 6 7

Meat and Alternatives (servings per day)



1 1 1-2 2 3 2 3 2 3

1 slice (35g) 30 g cold cereal

1 glass - 250 mL 50 g cheese


8

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)



3 4-6 6-7 7-8

Milk and Alternatives (servings per day)



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)



1 1-2 2 3

Eating Well with Canada’s Food GuideFirst Nations, Inuit and Métis

Health Canada introduced a new food guide tailored to meetthe needs and include the traditional foods of Canada'saboriginal peoples. The foods listed in each of the four foodgroups represent traditional foods. Since many first nationspeople do not consume milk products, the guide also includesinformation on how to get the nutrients from the milk andalternatives group if you do not consume milk products.Like the original food guide The First Nations, Inuit and Métisguide includes information for specific groups such as womenof childbearing age and women and men over the age of 50.

125 mLother vegetables

125 mLDark green andorange vegetables

125 mL cooked ricebrown, white, wild

35 g Bread (1 slice)

75 g cookedTraditional meats andwild game

75 g cookedFish and shellfish

9


Where’s the Fat?Sources of fat in the average Canadian dietA healthy diet includes a balanced amount of fat. Fat adds tasteand enjoyment to food, and is a major source of energy andnutrients. Fat is important to the growth and development ofchildren.

High fat diets have been associated with a higher incidence ofheart disease, obesity and some types of cancer.

Choosing the right amount and types of oils and fats can loweryour risk of developing certain diseases such as heart disease. Forgood health, include a small amount of unsaturated fat and limitthe amount of saturated and trans fat in your day.

Meat & Alternatives24%

Fresh Meat7.1%

Processed Meat9.3%

Poultry & Fish2.5%

Meat Alternatives6.8%

Other Foods42%

Fats & Oils31.7%

Other - 11% e.g., chocolate,potato chips

Milk Products15%

Fluid Milk5.5%

Other Milk Products11.6%

Baked Goods10.8%

Cereals1.8%

Grain Products13%

Fruit & Vegetables2%

Comparing Canadian Consumption withAmerican Consumption Measured per person

35.000

30.000

25.000

20.000

15.000

10.000

5.000

0

CanadaUnited States

Beve

rage

s &

toba

cco

Brea

ds &

ce

reals

Dairy

Fats

& oil

s

Fish

Fruit

s &

vege

table

s

Meat

Othe

r foo

dsEven though the United States is our closest neighbour, the way in which we eat is different than in the United States. Consider the differences inconsumption shown in the following chart.

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.


10

Today’s Farms

27.1%

60.8% 9.8%

There are 229,373 census farms inCanada. About 175,810 families live

on and operate farms in Canada.

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).

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 FarmsHutterite colonies and other communal operations as well as non-family corporations and co-operatives.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Agriculture

Proportion of farms with receipts $250,000 to $999,999and $1 million and over, by farm type, Canada 2006

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

percentage of farms

Dairy Beef Hogand Pig

Poultryand egg

All otheranimal

Fieldcrops

Fruit andvegetables

Greenhousenursery

and floriculture

Allfarms

$250,000 to $999,999$1 million and over

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Less than$25,000

$25,000 to$99,999

$100,000 to$249,999

$250,000 to$999,999

$1 million andover

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Agriculture

Percentof total

Proportion of farms and gross farm receipts byreceipts class, Canada 2006

Farms

Receipts

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.


11

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✓ Grocers and restaurant

operators purchasehigh quality products.

Food is properlystored.✓ Stores are kept clean

and sanitized✓ The government checks packaging &ingredient listings

✓ Government officialsinspect grocery stores

& restaurants

Consumer

✓ Clean - wash hands and

surfaces often

✓ Chill - refrigerate promptly

✓ Cook to proper

temperatures

✓ Separate - don't cross

contaminate

12


CLEANWash hands, utensils and surfaces with hotsoapy water before, during and after preparingfoods. Sanitize countertops, cutting boards andutensils with a mild bleach and water solution.Wash all produce thoroughly before eating orcooking.

SEPARATEKeep raw meats and poultry away from otherfoods during storage and preparation. Keep separate cutting boards for raw meats and vegetables. Always keep foods covered.

COOKCook food thoroughly -- cooking times and temperatures vary for different meats and poultry.Prepare foods quickly and serve immediately sofoods don't linger at room temperatures wherebacteria can grow.

CHILL Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foodand leftovers within two hours. Make sure therefrigerator is set at a temperature of 4°C (40°F),and keep the freezer at -18°C (0°F).

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

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

FOOD SAFETY IS IN YOUR HANDS

Reduce the risk of foodborne illness by following thesefour simple steps:

1

2

3

4

Additional information on food safety at home

can be found at:

www.canfightbac.org

13


SPECIAL EDITIONISSUE: EIEIO

The number of farms reporting certi-

fied 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 num-

ber of farms, 11,937, reported being organic but not

certified, with another 640 farms reporting that they

were in transition to becoming certified.

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 signif-

icant 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.

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, andthere are feweryoung people farming.

CERTIFIED ORGANIC

OFF-FARM INCOME

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 increas-

ingly 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 cen-

sus. Consistent with the results of the 2001 census,

female farmers are more likely to have post secondary

education.

THE FARMER

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0Fruit,

vegetables orgreenhouse

products

Animals oranimalproducts

MapleproductsHay or field

crops

Other

Organic production by product type, 2006

Farms

Certified organic

Organic but not certified

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Percentage of operators

Under 35 years 35 to 54 years 55 years and over

1991 1996 2001 2006

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture, 1991 to 2006

14


SPECIAL EDITIONISSUE: EIEIO

Bioproducts are non-food products developed from bio-

mass - 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 pesti-

cides there are several bio-pesticides and bio-herbicides

under development. These products may change the way

farmers control pests.

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 rev-

enues reported more computer use than those with smaller

revenues.

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 report-

ing 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.

BIOPRODUCTS

FARMS ONLINE

FARM INPUT PRICE INDEXWe 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.

PASS THE PANCAKES

price index

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Source: Statistics Canada, farm product price index, 2000 to 2006

GrainsOilseedsCattleDairy


15

Making BreadGRINDING

SIFTING

WHITEFLOUR

WHOLEWHEATFLOUR

BRAN

Next the dough is shaped.

The dough is given time to rise.

The dough is then put into an oven to bake.

The bread is packaged.

At the bakery, water, salt and yeast are mixed with the

flour to make the dough.

FARMCanadian farmers produce billions of dollars of wheat each year. It is shipped to flour mills around the world.

FLOUR MILLWheat 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.

BAKERY 1234

STOREFlour from a variety of grains is used throughout the world to make many different types of bread.

BR

EAD

WHEAWHEAT

WHEAWHEAT

BREAD

5

BREAD


16

What it takes to grow a hectare of wheat

Information for spring wheat grown in Saskatchewan

4,980 loaves of bread can be made from the wheat produced on a hectare.

Source: Statistics Branch, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, 2008

2,300 kg of wheat

per hectare*

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $31.32Fertilizer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $57.55Chemicals (for weeds and pests) . . . . . . $41.62Machinery operation (fuel, repairs). . . . . $50.04Labour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18.52Utilities, interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26.60

Total expenses . . . . . . . . . . . $575.40

Revenue per hectare

Estimated yield per hectare 2.27 tonnesEstimated market price per tonne $229.69

Gross revenue/hectare . . . $521.40(estimate)

*This is the estimate for the year 2008.


17

Canada’s Changing FarmsThe farm population has declined from 3.3 millionin 1931 to about 684,000 today.

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.

Increasing Farm Size

1931

1941

1951

1961

1971

1981

1991

1996

2001

2006

10,400,000

11,500,000

14,000,000

18,200,000

21,600,000

24,300,000

27,200,000

28,800,000

3,300,000

3,200,000

2,900,000

2,100,000

1,500,000

1,100,000

860,000

850,000

29,900,000727,000

684,260

500,000 Farm Population

Canada's Population

31,600,000

Changing Farm Population

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

188 ha

207 ha

242 ha

246 ha

273 ha

295 ha


118

Food ProductionWhen people think of crops in Canada, often the first thing that comes to mind is Prairie Wheat. However, thetypes of crops that we are growing are changing: there is an increasing number of specialty crops in Canada.

✓ 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

Specialty crops are a diverse

grouping of crops including:

Forage Beans

GinsengBeans

TobaccoForage

Wild RiceIndustrial Hemp

BeansForageGinsengTobacco

Wild RiceBeans

BuckwheatForageLentilsPeas

Sunflower SeedHerbs & SpicesIndustrial Hemp

BeansCanary Seed

ForageHerbs & Spices

LentilsMustard Seed

PeasWild Rice

Industrial Hemp

BeansCanary Seed

ForageHerbs & SpicesIndustrial HempMustard Seed

PeasGinsengForage

Herbs & Spices

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 toCanadian agriculture.

Where in Canada?


19

The Land and EnvironmentThe map below identifies the land that is primarily used for agricultural purposes in Canada as well as the non-agriculturalland. 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


120

Environmental Farm PracticesFarmers 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 whileat the same time allowing the farm to be profitable. Farmers are developingEnvironmental Farm Plans in order to ensure that care for the environment is a dailyconsideration on every farm. They are using some old and some new practices inorder to farm in a more environmentally sensitive way.

Some examples of environmental farmpractices are:

◆ Use of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems to more accurately monitornutrient levels and crop yields in order to make more effective decisions interms of pest management and fertilizer use

◆ Mulch is used in fields to reduce the growth of crop damaging weeds as wellas to reduce soil erosion

◆ Farmers are switching to no-till techniques from furrow and conventionaltillage. No-till is a technique where the seeding equipment slices a thin slit inthe earth and deposits the seed without disturbing the rest of the soil. In 2001this accounted for 29.7% of area tilled. This increased to 46.4% in the 2006census

◆ 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 soilfrom erosion and compaction as well as the burning of fossil fuels to run themachines

◆ Water conservation is practiced in many ways, including special holding tanksfor manure in order to reduce run-off into waterways. Farmers also fencewaterways off from farm animals

◆ Research surrounding animal nutrition is being conducted with a goal toreduce harmful nutrients produced in manure as well as the amount ofammonia released from manure, thus reducing the smell


21

Applications to LandCanadian farmers are working to reduce the use of pesticides, butat the same time, they want to produce viable and profitable crops.The following chart shows the number of farms reporting pesticideuse in 1995 and 2000. The total reduction in pesticide use is 9.3%.

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 pestactivity so once the number of pests goes beyond the threshold, the crop is threatened. At this point, growerscan 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 predatorseither 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 cropfeeds 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.

Her

bici

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Inse

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ides

Fung

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es

150,000

125,000

100,000

75,000

50,000

25,000

0

Her

bici

des

Inse

ctic

ides

Fung

icid

es

Her

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des

Inse

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Fung

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es

1995 2000 2006

Other Applications to LandCanadian farmers are very concerned with replacing only the nutrients needed to grow the cropthey are planting. New technology and increased sophistication in soil testing has allowedfarmers to use precision agriculture in order to return only the amount of nutrients needed togrow a specific crop. As a result the amount of commercial fertilizer used is decreasing.

Protecting Crops from PestsCanadian farmers take crop protection very seriously. Farmers use a variety of ways to control pests on farms. Many farmers use asystem called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This system combines a number of different strategies to control pests and protectcrops. Farmers monitor pests and determine the best method to deal with them, taking into consideration the impact of pest manage-ment on the crop and the surrounding environment.

1996 2001 2006

58.754.3

51.3

Percentage of total farms reportinguse of use of commercial fertilizer


122

Agricultural Production

Changing Greenhouse Production

Grains & Oilseeds (e.g., wheat, canola)

34%

Other 20%

Eggs & Poultry 2%

Horticulture 7%

(e.g., fruits, vegetables, shrubs)

Dairy7% Red Meats

30%

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 morevegetables under glass. In the 2006 census, an increase in the production of cucumbers and peppersand a decline in the production of tomatoes is noted. Ontario has become the leader in greenhousevegetable production at 64%, followed by British Columbia at 24%.

$ millions

1,600

1,200

800

400

0

Vegetables taking a growing share of sales

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2007

Vegetables Flowers Source: Statistics Canada, Greenhouse Survey


123

Provincial Overview

GLOSSARYCENSUS 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.

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

24


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


125

Canadian agriculture from sea to sea

Alberta 71,660 Farms

Saskatchewan 59,185 Farms

Manitoba 26,620 Farms

British Columbia 29,870 Farms Ontario

82,410 Farms

Quebec 45,470 Farms

New Brunswick 3,695 Farms

Nova Scotia 5,095 Farms

P.E.I. 2,335 Farms

Newfoundland 715 Farms

Greenhouse & NurseryPoultry & EggsDairyBeef Cattle HogGrain & Oilseed

Fruit & Vegetables

Other CropsOther AnimalsOther Types

Potato

The data for each province indicates the total number of farm operators

by farm type.


26

Trade in CanadaAgricultural and fishing products

Energy products

Forestry products

Industrial goods and materials

Machinery and equipment

Automotive products

Other consumer goods

Special transactions trade

Total Exports$42,106

($ millions)

Agricultural and fishing products

Energy products

Forestry products

Industrial goods and materials

Machinery and equipment

Automotive products

Other consumer goods

Special transactions trade

Total Imports$36,570

($ millions)

Top Canadian agri-food exports

(in $millions)

Wheat751

Oilseed

301

Meat 361

Livestock 202

Other Grains & Grain Products

403

Vegetables & Fruit

169

May 2008

May 2008


27

Canadian farmers’ best customersCanada 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

Japan $375.2 million

United States$1.8 billion

Other Countries = $1.10 billion

Canadians enjoy a wide variety of foods from around the world. Some of these products cannot be grown in Canada.

We buy food from around the world

= $100 million

Coffee & TeaCocoa & Chocolate

$365

Vegetables & Fruits$608

Beverages$281

Animal Feeds$116

Sugar$118

Meat$163

May 2008

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 WrightCanadian Federation of Agriculture: Joyce Henry, Yves Leduc

Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association: Erica DennisNational Agriculture Environment Committee: Sheila Forsyth

Ontario Corn Producers' Association: Brenda Miller-Sanford, Ken HoughOntario Farm Animal Council: Karen Howling

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: Susan Bennett, I.R. Roadhouse, Arlene RobertsonOntario Sheep Marketing Agency: Julie Scarlett

Santé Quebec: Lise BertrandSaskatchewan Agriculture and Food: Don Barber

Saskatchewan Wheat Pool: Darwin DonisonSaskatchewan Agriculture in the Classroom: Al Morhart

Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Leanne ByersStatistics 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 andefforts of:

Laurie Harris and Christine Moses, Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaAl Morhart, Saskatchewan Agriculture in the ClassroomLindsay Babineau, British Columbia Agriculture in the Classroom FoundationRuth Grant, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing Donna Youngdahl, Agriculture in the Classroom - ManitobaDr. 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 : [email protected] 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 - [email protected]

0046-1208-R-25000

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