Nechako Valley Agriculture - Overview/Early Settlement

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President's Letter
Overview
Early Settlement
Demographics
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Introduction
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* indicates data compiled from Stats.Can. 1996

This site was developed by the Nechako Valley Regional Cattlemen's Association

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Fast Fact:
84 farms reported use of personal computer systems to help manage their farming operation.

Early Settlement: The Nechako Agriculture sector dates to the turn of the century with the migration of settlers into the Nechako Valley region centred around what are now the villages of Vanderhoof, Fort Fraser and Fraser Lake. They settled the fertile river bottom lands and the aspen covered plateaus above the Nechako River basin. Agriculture in the early 1920's set the foundation with poultry, livestock, forage, grain crops and seed production. Interestingly, the name "Vanderhoof" is a Dutch word meaning "of the farm," an appropriate name since Vanderhoof became one of British Columbia's first agriculture settlements. To learn more about about the development of Vanderhoof visit the Vanderhoof Community Museum online.

Agricultural activity increased significantly following the first World War, due to land policies providing war veterans with homestead land, and again after World War II when veterans and developers sought new land in the Nechako Valley region. In the 1950's the Nechako River was harnessed for hydroelectric power by Kenney Dam, then the largest earth fill dam in the world. The dam diverted the water flow to Kitimat to power their aluminum smelters. The dam also controlled the Nechako River from flooding the fertile river bottom lands, thus allowing additional agriculture development along its banks.

Fast Fact:
On April 7, 1914, the last spike of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad was driven near where the village of Fort Fraser stands today. The completion of the railroad opened the way for further settlement and economic development all along it's route, including the Nechako Region.

Typical topography in the Nechako Valley

Land Development: The next big surge in agricultural activity occurred with the opening of the agricultural land lease policy in the early 1970's. Immigrants from many parts of the world came to open new land and establish farms. It was during the 1970's that Nechako region agriculture began to take on an important role in beef, forage and grain production. Soils were building in fertility and farmers were able to focus on refining the fields for higher yields and quality products. Beef was, and still is the predominant commodity, with over 39,000 head of cattle and calves produced in the region by 1996. Thousands of acres of grain, forage and pasture were developed to sustain the cattle herds. Currently, the Nechako region produces more than enough feed for its own consumption and is able to export hay and grain each year.

In addition to livestock, hay and grain production, private and commercial vegetables production has been on the increase. As well, several farmers are looking to new value added production of free-range chickens, organic vegetables and specialty herbs as secondary or primary cash crops.