Nechako Valley Agriculture - Statistics/Farm Information

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* indicates data compiled from Stats.Can. 1996

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Canadian Farm Business Management Council

Fast Fact:
Wages & Salaries: The agriculture industry in the Nechako region paid $2.5 million dollars in agriculture wages and salaries in 1996. Total weeks of paid agriculture labour in 1996 were 5,173, consisting of 3,210 weeks year round and 1,955 weeks of seasonal work.*

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NVA Remark
We don't have hurricanes or life threatening floods, and the weather is reasonably consistent.

Farm size in the Nechako Area of the 471 farms reporting: There are an increasing number of farms operating on smaller acreage. Generally, they are utilizing that smaller acreage for pure-bred production, specialty for exotic breeds, and greenhouse produce. The larger the acreage usually indicate commercial beef, grain and/or hay production.

Farm Size Chart

The trend in the area seems to be to intensify acreage production rather than expand in size, although there still is significant potential for expansion throughout the Nechako. A recent arability study has identified an additional 11,000 hectares of potential agricultural development land.

Farm Capital: Farm capital is another indicator of agricultural activity and viability. Statistics Canada figures for 1996 indicate the following information reported by the 471 farms in the Nechako.

Number of Farms Chart

Farm Capital Chart

Gross Farm Receipts: While gross farm receipts are another indicator of farm viability, in a comparatively new farming area, such as the Nechako, where there are many first generation farms, the gross on-farm receipts are often low, usually indicating significant capitalization and off farm income. Farm viability and gross income generally increase over time. This would seem to be the case for the Nechako where 45% of the farms indicate less than $9,999 gross income. Look at the Gross Farm Receipts Chart.

Farm Classification (407 farms reporting): Of the farms with gross income over $2,499, the farm classification is as follows:

Farm Classification	# of Farms
Dairy	20
Beef	227
Hog	0
Poultry	6
Grain	6
Fieldcrop	69
Miscellaneous	54
Livestock	12
Vegetable	2
Other	11

Characteristics of Farm Operators in 1996: The total number of operators was 715 consisting of 460 males and 255 females. View the Operators Chart.