Farm families ARE different, Stats Can finds Tuesday, December 2, 2008 by BETTER FARMING STAFF In a report released today, the federal fact-finding bureau makes several observations about the country’s farm population: It counts for only 2.2 per cent of all Canadians in 2006 compared to 31.7 per cent of the country’s population in 1931. In 2006, seniors (65-plus) made up 11.2 per cent of the country’s farm population of 684,260. The proportion of immigrants fell to 6.9 per cent of the total farm population compared to 8.5 per cent in 1971. From 1971 to 2006 the share of immigrants in Canada’s general population, by way of contrast, increased to nearly 20 per cent from 15 per cent. Canadian immigrants’ top three countries of origin haven’t changed since 2001: the Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States. In 2006 Ontario had the largest share of the immigrant farm population – more than one third. The top places of birth were the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Germany. Seventy per cent of the country’s farm population speaks English while the remainder speak French (14.3 per cent) or another language (15.6 per cent). More than a quarter of fruit and tree nut farm operators are immigrants and more than one fifth of greenhouse, nursery and floriculture farmers are immigrants. Grain and oilseed farms have the lowest proportion of immigrant operators at 5.1 per cent. Farm families are getting smaller. The average farm family had 3.1 members in 2006 compared to 4.3 in 1971. The average family size in the general population in 2006 was 2.9. With a median income of $56,412 in 2005, farm families earn considerably less than the general population median family income of $63,846. BF Politicians resolute about COOL challenge Companies contemplate crushing plant
FCC Predicts Canadian Farmers will Wait to Buy New Farm Equipment Thursday, May 1, 2025 This year may not be the year to buy a brand-new John Deere X Series combine. No matter how great it would be to raise harvest capacity by 45 percent, Canadian farmers may put off their purchase until later. Rising farm equipment prices due to trade disruptions will alter farmers'... Read this article online
Holland Marsh Celebrates 100 Years of Agricultural Excellence Thursday, May 1, 2025 Celebrating a century of farming, community, and natural heritage in Ontario’s “Salad Bowl” 2025 marks a significant milestone for the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury as it celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Holland Marsh—a region renowned for its rich soil, vibrant farming... Read this article online
How will Carney work with Farmers? Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Prime Minister Carney has a mandate to lead the country, but the country is quite divided, and much of the agriculture industry feels alienated. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre have both pledged cooperation on key issues like U.S. tariffs. As the new... Read this article online
Sheep farmers win Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Sheep farmers and wool producers from Wallenstein, Ont. are Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. “It’s great to be recognized by your peers in the industry with an award like that,” Ryan Schill told Farms.com. “When we started the sheep farm, there were people questioning us... Read this article online
2025 Election Results Prompt Concern and Reflection Among Prairie Farmers Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Users on Agriville.com weigh-in on the 2025 federal election outcome As news broke on April 28 that Mark Carney’s Liberals had won the 2025 federal election, many western Canadian farmers on Agriville.com shared their reactions. The mood was largely one of disappointment, with... Read this article online